Flowering Gardens

Hi there, We are lucky enough to live in the part of the country known as East Anglia and with it's gorgeous country side, woods, rivers and sea to admire. We have just got back from an early morning walk with our dog down in the woods. We would like you to share in the joys we have just enjoyed.

Try and visualize as we describe the pleasure we have just witnessed. Walking through the woods with the steam coming off the trunks of the trees and rising off the grass as the power of the rising sun unleashes its heat on the morning dew.

Looking up into the canopy of the exploding buds bursting into their yearly task of creating their leaves of different colors, sizes and shapes, with the last of the blooms hanging on. Some of the trees like the majestic oaks are still in their dormant slumber yet to awaken to the coming of spring.

Looking down to see our dog Rusty bounding over the carpet of bluebells giving off their scented aroma for everyone to enjoy. The air filled with the chorus of songs from different birds saying hello to the awakening world. In the distance rabbits eating the moist grass while lapping up the heat on their bodies.

As we near the end of the woods our hearts miss a couple of beats from the ear piercing cry of a startled pheasant disturbed from its feeding by our faithful pet. We do not know who was more frightened for those few lost heart beats ourselves, Rusty or the magnificent coloured cock pheasant. Well all the tranquility has returned as we set off on our homeward journey with the increasing suns temperature.

Back to the flowering gardens

The wonderful yellow bloom of the acacia tree has finally dropped leaving a mess on the ground for you to clear up, but a small price to pay for the bright glow of beauty it has brought you over the last few weeks. Also the weeping willows have dropped there catkins and now funnelling their efforts into growth with their long dangling branches.

The Camelia has been showing off with their shades of pinks and reds to glorious effect but do not forget our plant tips of dead heading, so the plants can put their effort in giving all to the remaining heads their best. Out of the plant tips this is probably one of the most over looked and yet easiest carried out.

The flowering gardens are certainly coming into their own now with every thing going on . It is certainly a job to even see all the exciting changes that are happening
but what you do not discover today you will find tomorrow. That is some of the delights of your gardens

Lawn care is still one of the top topics. With the glorious weather we have been having over the past weeks the lawns are on the move. You should have by now had a first cut, if not do it now. If you have let your grass grow too long make sure you do not cut it lower than two inches for the first cut, reducing down to one inch in successive cuts. Do not cut lower than this unless it is a show garden or front lawn without much foot traffic. If you lawn is used or in hot conditions increase the length to at least one and half inches to help retain moisture.

Hope these tips help

Ted & Sandra