Garden Gem

24/04/2026

It’s just coming to the end of Asparagus plantings season and I was desperate to get some in. So I ordered 10 Gijnlim crowns at the weekend knowing full well that the spot I had in mind for them was full of ground elder and nettles 😬

The crowns arrived on Wednesday so the pressure was on to get the bed ready as they don’t store well.

Tried a bit of Hugelkulture composting - adding twigs, leaves, grass cuttings, horse manure, banana skins into the middle of the bed to create a mini composter right in the bed.

This method will help retain moisture and slowly release nutrients for the plants. Genius!

Now I just have to be really patient (not my forte!) and wait for two years before I can tuck in!

22/04/2026

A lot of plants for us to get in today in this pretty cottage garden near Stockbridge. We did the front garden last year which is looking beautiful. The back garden was re-landscaped in winter with new retaining walls, a paved terrace areas and steps up into the main garden. It just needed to be finished off with lots of lovely cottage garden plants like lavender and foxgloves plus a big patch of Hydrangea Annabelle’s in a semi shaded bed. Used Pachysandra Terminalis for ground cover and some of the variegated Vinca. Can’t wait to see how it all matures and comes together.

16/04/2026

A great way to save a few quid is to over winter your summer bedding plants. I’ve had these Geraniums on my windowsill since late October and will be potting them up outside early May once the risk of frost has passed. I’ve just watered them once a week and now they’re rewarding me with these colorful early flowers 🌺 🌱

12/04/2026

Should have been doing housework so decided to split and divide some supermarket pots of Basil and Coriander instead. Have always wanted to do this. Then wasted some more time feeding the leaves I pinched out to the chickens. ❤️

07/04/2026

07/04/2026

This border I planted up a couple of years ago is looking really good now. The customer hadn’t been able to get anything other than a sad box ball to grow in it as she hadn’t followed the no 1 planting rule of right plant right place - ie don’t put a sun loving plant in a shady spot. I used Skimmia, Sarcococca, Brunnera which all look great in spring plus white fox gloves at the back and Astilbe for some interest later on in the summer.

26/03/2026

Time to sow these wildflower seeds which am hoping will cover this bank behind my house with colour and tasty treats for the birds and bees in the summer

25/03/2026

So excited to receive these Dahlia tubers today from Dahlia Beach

25/03/2026

A perfect day to shelter in my customers Greenhouse and plant up these gorgeous dahlias that just arrived from Dahlia Beach and some flower seeds and veg. Happy days!

18/03/2026

Loving this combination of lilac Candelabra Primulas with the little pale lemon Narcissus Lieke which we planted last autumn. They are very happy in this damp shady river border. 🌸

02/03/2026

What a beautiful day for the first mow of the year! If you’d like the Garden Gem team to take care of your lawn we have some availability for this coming season so do get int touch