The Savvy Gardener

02/07/2025

I was going to try and find time to trim out the pest damaged leaves of my lollipop bay this week, but a swarm of ladybirds have moved in today and are happily doing the job for me! 🤗

25/06/2025

Ugh! The Cotoneaster Webber moth caterpillars strike again! Right now my lovely cotoneaster horizontals looks more like something out of a Halloween movie! - it happens every year now, and I keep hoping a natural predator will come in to control it, I guess it’s a point of interest in the garden 😅 Do you have any annoying pest problems at the moment?

15/06/2025

It’s flowering day for the Dracunculus vulgaris or Vampire Lily! It’s so spectacular but my word, does it stink bad! 💩 It is only a fleeting bloom 😂🤢 and it’s been covered in flies all day! 🪰🪰🪰 This was a gift from my wife’s great aunt a number of years ago now and grows in pride of place amongst my roses! (Which smell much nicer! 😅)

04/06/2025

I just want to do a big shout out to Duncan Forster at Your World Financial Services! Thank you so much for your time, advice and help you have given our family today - it reinforces the ethics of staying local and supporting local businesses you can trust! As always - fully recommend these guys! 😊

02/06/2025

The amazing Lorraine from Birchington in Bloom is included in their shout out! 😊

To celebrate Volunteers' Week, we're shouting out seven people making a difference to their communities 💪

💚 "Helen has worked tirelessly on behalf of Tidy Randalstown for a good ten years. She has led the transformation of our town from a drab, colourless place to one that is vibrant with greenery and sustainable planting and boasts neat and tidy streets, community gardens and landscaped areas. The improvement in the sense of community and pride of place is also palpable. Helen leads a a very special group of skilled and enthusiastic volunteers and inspires everyone she meets."

💚 "Kraig and Caroline have worked so hard to continue to maintain a garden for Dementia patients at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Giving up their time not only to volunteer, but to run projects all year round, their work has positively impacted both patients and families."

💚 "Karen is the founder of LSG Community Gardening Group and does an incredible job in keeping the community looking fantastic. As well as maintaining the community spaces, she runs a gardening gang with many of the local primary schools. She's currently designing more green areas for everyone to enjoy. Thank you for everything you do Karen, you really are a local legend and our community is better for all that you do."

💚 "Stuart has created a volunteer group, offering help to clear and improve gardens for vulnerable or those with poor mobility."

💚 "Lorraine from Birchington in Bloom works tirelessly co-ordinating an absolutely amazing bunch of volunteers who brighten up a wonderful village."

💚 "Bev, the powerhouse behind Trawden in Bloom, works tirelessly to coordinate and organise the fabulous team of volunteers who help make the village look absolutely stunning. Her dedication, energy and passion for bringing people together is truly inspiring. Bev has a real gift for making things happen - whether it’s planting, planning or rallying the troops, she’s always at the heart of it all. Trawden wouldn’t be the same without her efforts."

💚 "Mary from Whalley in Bloom. If it needs planting, she’s there. If you’re ill, she’s there. Watering? Planter needs painting? Church needs help? Need a lift? Say no more. Any hint you’re struggling she is there."

Volunteers give their time for free because they want to get involved, but thinking of positive ways to recognise their efforts can make them feel even more appreciated and inspired. Find ideas on our website: https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening/resources/involving-volunteers

31/05/2025

It’s heart warming how many of you enquire how GreatNan is doing... she is our world 🥰 But she has had a bit of a rough time recently with a bought of pneumonia which has knocked her for six! But she’s tough! Resilient! and our Nan!! Not too long until we get ready to celebrate 101!!

31/05/2025

With J. S. Vegetables – I just got recognised as one of the top fans! Jack is an absolutely amazing, brilliant and inspiring young man! A long career ahead of him! I love following his organic growing adventures - Keep up the good work Jack! You are doing a fantastic job and we should all aspire to grow veg like you 👍

31/05/2025

As always, go support these amazing guys if you are looking for good quality, bargain plants suitable and acclimatised for our local gardens! All the money gets ploughed back into making our village look absolutely beautiful. Birchington would be a much drearier place without these dedicated and talented volunteers! ☀️😊🌹🌿

A good variety of plants on offer. Nicotiana, Helichrysum Strawflower, Swan River Daisy, Coleus, Sunflowers, Anthemis Golden Marguerite, plus much more. We also have a few Ferns, Chilli and Butternut Squash plants. All proceeds go back into keeping all year interest around Birchington and Minnis Bay.

24/05/2025

I was getting some of my students to do a rain dance yesterday and it’s worked! 🤣 sorry everyone! Typical bank holiday weekend weather! Our allotment at school was like a desert! The gardens so needed it! 🙂
Wishing you all a great weekend rain or shine! ☀️🌧️

23/05/2025

I ordered ‘The Kings Rose’ to plant and mark the year of mine and Elaine’s 50th birthdays and our 25th wedding anniversary! It has arrived and it’s beautiful, the scent is amazing 🤗 Now I just have to find somewhere to plant it! 😂😂😂