Whitehall Garden Centre

Garden Furniture at Whitehall...

2010-04-21T15:49:00.002+01:00

Our garden furniture range 2010 is now in full swing! Come and visit our showrooms at Lacock and Whitchurch to see what we have to offer.
We have many introductory promotions on summer BBQ’s, bistro sets, cast iron sets, weave sets and wooden garden furniture sets.

We have a large range of our garden furniture on our online store, click here to visit >>>

If you would like to give us a call for more information on all of our garden furniture, please give us a call on 01249 730 204.

Easter Whitehall Garden Centre

2010-03-31T15:23:00.003+01:00

Mothers day at Whitehall

2010-03-10T10:48:00.004Z

Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th March 10:00am - 4:00pm

Come along and make a spring planted arrangement for your mother this weekend. Each child leaves with the arrangement they have personally made especially for their ‘mum’. Everyone is welcome to join our workshops throughout the day where we will supply all equipment and materials for a fee of £4.99.

Fore more information on our talks & events, please visit > http://www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk/talks-demos.php

January Checklist

2010-01-15T10:21:00.000Z

January at a glance

Around the garden:
-Ensure that birds have plenty of high energy food and water
-Continue with digging when soil conditions allow
-Cover the ground to keep out the wet
-Protect the plants that are vulnerable to wind and cold
-Aerate lawns to improve drainage
-Keep a small area of the pond free from ice to help keep the pond oxygenated
-Don’t let winter germinating plants take over

Trees, Shrubs & Climbers:
-Refirm newly planted trees and shrubs if raised by the frost
-Brush snow off trees and shrubs so that the branches do not break
-Check the supports of trees and shrubs
-Plant deciduous hedging
-Prune trees and shrubs to shape
-Prune wisteria and other vigorous climbers

Flowering plants:
-Clear damp leaves from the crown of plants
-Check forced bulbs for growth
-Sow sweet peas under cover

Kitchen garden:
-Chit early potatoes
-Protect fruit trees from bird damage
-Continue planting and winter-pruning of fruit
-Force rhubarb

*Last chance to…… Protect container plants from freezing

*Get ahead….. Send the lawnmower off for servicing

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T12:32:00.007Z

At Whitehall Garden Centre we trust that you had a wonderful year and Christmas. We would also like to take this opportunity wish you all the best in 2010!

Father Christmas!!

2009-12-15T16:05:00.002Z

Father Christmas is in his Whitehall grotto right up until 24th December! Come along and visit him and his Reindeer's Snowflake and Moonbeam.

Decembers Gardening Tips

2009-12-15T15:51:00.004Z

-Feed birds in the cold weather and do not allow ponds to freeze over.
-Shake snow off of trees if required
-Bring Bay trees under cover to shield them from the cold.
-Shred prunings from plants, fruit trees and bushes.
-Protect plants and pots from frost damage.
-Insulate garden taps and exposed pipes
-Bring in Christmas bulbs for flowering.

Christmas is coming!

2009-12-15T15:11:00.002Z

Its that time of year again and at Whitehall we now have a fantastic selection of Scottish grown Christmas trees, Holly, Wreaths and Mistletoe. All of these festive plants can bring a christmassy feeling to your home and garden. We also stock Christmas trees with roots that can be planted in the garden and enjoyed year after year.
Our top 5 tips for planting a Christmas tree are...
1. Make sure your tree is planted away from the house as the roots grow to a large size and will uproot patio slabs and other parts of your garden and home.
2.Try and buy one that is no more that 3 feet tall as you want to get the most years out of it and the root will be better and easier to transplant.
3.Protect from pests such as Rabbits, Insects (Aphids in particular)and in extreme cases Deer.
4.When plating the tree make sure it is protected from wind and make sure the planting hole is the right depth.
5.Once planted try to shape and shear your tree to make it healthier.

October Gardening Tips

2009-10-28T10:10:00.002Z

-Rake up any fallen leaves
-Tidy ponds and remove pond pumps for the winter
-Plant evergreen shrubs
-Plants new climbers and perennials
-Dig over any empty area of soil
-Divide Rhubarb
-Plant tulip and lily bulbs

Feeding Wild Birds in the Winter

2009-10-19T10:04:00.003+01:00

As the winter draws closer, it is time to start thinking about feeding birds during the cold winter months. As natural food sources are low in the winter, birds benefit greatly from you putting food out in the garden. Foods with a high fat content will help to give the birds extra energy. Sunflower seeds, peanuts, dried fruit and suet are all fat rich foods and will give the wild birds that extra energy boost. If you have a fruit tree in your garden try and leave some of the ripe fruit under the tree so that thrushes, blackbirds and starlings can enjoy a high energy treat! Don`t forget that birds still like to bathe and drink during the winter, so if possible top up water areas.

Planting Spring Bulbs

2009-09-29T14:45:00.002+01:00

You will need to plant Daffodils and Narcissi before the end of September. Daffodils will look good planted in layers. Use a bulb planter or trowel to make a hole in the soil for your bulb to go in. Once the soil is removed, put your bulbs in. Cover these over and wait for the spring! You can plant some bulbs lower down, then cover over with soil and plant more onto and finally cover with soil. This will give a layered effect and make the area look fuller. There are many bulbs to choose from such as Alliums, Tulips and Hyacinths. Daffodils are popular and some of our favourites are Broadway Star, Ambergate and Tahiti.

Planting New Perennials

2009-09-22T14:19:00.004+01:00

This is a good time of year to start planting new perennials. The soil will be moist and still warm enough for roots to establish before the cold of winter. Our garden centre has a wide variety of flowering and foliage herbaceous perennials to choose from.
Planting Step by Step
1.Dig a hole for the new plant and add bone meal to the bottom of the hole for root growth.
2.Soak the plants about an hour or so before you want to plant it.
3.Take the plant out of the pot, it may have become quite tight in there so you may need to tease it out.
4.Put the plant into the hole and fill the gap around it with soil and then firm the soil with your fingers.
5.Water the plant thoroghly again (half a watering can if the weather has been dry)
6.You may also put mulch, chipped bark or leaf mould around the plant to reduce evaporation from the soil.

Septembers Gardening Tips

2009-09-15T16:53:00.004+01:00

- Start clearing up Autumn debris to prevent pests and disease over winter
- Aerate established lawns
- Net ponds to keep out autumn leaves
- Start feeding new trees, shrubs and containers
- Start to plant new perennials
- Give support to tall, late-flowering perennials
- Plant spring flowering bulbs
- Plant up containers with autumn bedding plants
- Plant spring cabbages
- Sow winter lettuce
- Continue to harvest apples, pears and autumn fruiting raspberries.

Osteospermum

2009-08-18T12:19:00.002+01:00

Osteospermum are a popular perennial and look good in rustic or modern gardens. They love the sun and are evergreen. They flower from late spring to autumn and bear mauve-pink or magenta daisy looking flower heads. They have a dense mat of leaves which make good ground coverage. They grow to around 4-20 inches high and 20-36 inches wide. Grow in a sunny position in any well drained soil. Deadhead regularly to encourage new flowers and prolong flowering. If it is a particularly cold and wet winter they may not survive, to keep your cost down you can take cuttings from them at the end of summer and keep in a glass house or conservatory.

Around the Garden in August

2009-08-10T11:38:00.006+01:00

There are many things that can be done around the garden in August. You should be aware of pests and diseases as the warm dry weather can encourage diseases such as mildew. Make sure plants are watered frequently especially if the weather is hot and dry. To try and keep slug damage to plants and flowers to a minimum, deter them by scattering slug pellets. Continue to weed the borders to keep them tidy and weed free. Continue mowing your lawns regularly applying a lawn feed that is phosphate based. Rambling Roses can now be pruned and deadheads can be removed from Roses.

Whitehalls Plant of the Month- Hydrangea

2009-08-03T09:44:00.002+01:00

The Hydrangea is a fast growing deciduous shrub. It produces large flower heads during the summer and early autumn. It has dark green foliage. They are hardy plants and can also be cut to be used in a floral arrangment. They can be planted in pots or in containers and are a great way to add colour to your summer garden. They grow to about 3-7m in height and 2.5 in width. They need to be grown in fertile, moisture retentive soil. The plant requires minimal pruning, however all sideshoots must be cut back in late winter.

Gardening Tips for August

2009-08-03T09:33:00.002+01:00

-Make sure wild birds and other wildlife have access to fresh water, as in the hot weather fresh water can be hard to find. Also keep ponds topped up.
-If the weather is hot and dry you can mow your lawn less frequently.
-Prune rambling roses after they have flowered.
-Trim Lavender after their flowers have faded.
-Water plant regularly in hot weather.
-Take cuttings from perennials such as Fuchsias and Pelagoniums.
-In your vegetable garden you can lift and dry Onions, cut and dry herbs for use in winter and Plant new strawberry plants.

Pick and Prune Raspberries

2009-07-27T12:29:00.003+01:00

Summer fruiting Raspberries should be ready to harvest around now. If you have plenty of Raspberries they are suitable to freeze or to cook gently and make a puree .Old canes will be easily identifiable as they will be a darker brown and the remains of fruit clusters and leaves will most likely look a bit tatty. Younger canes will still have fresh summer foliage on and the stems will be green. You can start by untying the old canes from their wire supports and cut them to ground level. You can them tie in new canes, with spacing of around 10cm apart. Make sure you only tie in strong and healthy canes. The old canes which have been pruned out can be shredded and used as mulch.

Managing Pest and Disease

2009-07-15T12:02:00.002+01:00

In the warm summer months, pests and disease can multiply rapidly. Greenfly and Blackfly can reproduce quite rapidly and it can be hard to control them. It is important to have a wide range of plants in your garden that will attract an array of other insects and other wildlife that can help to keep pests and disease at bay. There are many biological controls now available to help control pests. Many of these can be bought in our Garden Centre .

Planning your Holiday Garden

2009-07-06T11:33:00.001+01:00

July and August are normally popular months for people to take holidays and with this in mind we have thought of a few pointers to help you prepare your garden for your absence.
- Try to ask a neighbour, friend or family to call into your garden and make sure your plants are watered and fed.
-Mow the lawn before you go and hopefully it wont need another cut until you get back. However do not cut it too close as it will encourage it to grow faster.
- Houseplants can be moved outside while you are on a summer break.
- You can use automatic irrigation systems as they are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Following these simple instructions should ensure that you come back to a healthy, thriving garden and not a jungle!

Gardening Tips for July

2009-07-06T11:18:00.003+01:00

- Ensure there is water in your garden for birds and wildlife as it is getting warmer and water is harder for them to find.
- Be careful of your plants being eaten by insects, pests and disease.
- Water bedding plants regularly to avoid them drying out.
- Deadhead flowers as they fade to help encourage new growth.
- Plant autumn flowering bulbs.
- Water vegetables regularly.
- Take cuttings of plants to reproduce.
- Prune wisteria.
- Trim conifers and hedging back for healthy growth and shape.
- Its your last chance to fill borders, beds and baskets with bedding plants for summer colour.

Climbing Roses

2009-06-16T15:16:00.007+01:00

Roses should be in full bloom throughout summer with their beautiful fragrant flowers bursting with colour. We have chosen 3 of our favourites for you to admire.

The Falstaff- These have lovely crimson purple full petaled flowers surrounded by rich foliage. These roses are strong, bushy and upright and provide a wonderful old rose fragrance.----->

Teasing Georgia- This rose has beautiful two tone yellow flowers with a centre of deep yellow and outer petals that are pale yellow. It has a good resistance to disease and flowers well each year.--->

Generous Gardener-This climbs with strong and elegant arching. It has dark green foliage and fragrant pale pink flowers.----->

Whitehalls Plant of the Month

2009-06-01T12:35:00.011+01:00

Whitehalls plant of the month is the Penstemon. Penstemons have become very popular over recent years particularly for their flowers. They are available in a wide range of colours which produce stunning blooms over a long period during the summer. Our store stocks

Apple Blossom, Blue Springs, Garnet, Heavenly Blue, Patio Coral, Patio Wine, Raven,

Sour Grapes and White Bedder all at £7.99 in a 3Litre pot.

Grape Vines

2009-05-27T12:04:00.003+01:00

Grape vines are a great fruit to grow. The selection of vines has progressed rapidly over the past 10 years. It is now possible to grow a choice of varieties outside that will provide dessert and wine grapes. Vines are also good as they are all self fertile and most of the outdoor varieties are self thinning and do not require much attention.

When planting grapes there are some factors that need to be considered. They need as much sun as possible so it is good to choose a south facing wall. Well drained soil is also important and if water logging is a problem for you it is advisable not to attempt growing grapes. The best soil to plant grapes in is gritty or sandy soil enriched with organic matter. Most soils can be used except clay and chalk. It is good to plant grapes in October to November or February to March. There should ideally be a space of 1.5m between each vine.

Some popular vines include Chasselas, Phoenix, Regent and Thompson Seedless.

Bedding Plants

2009-05-25T11:16:00.004+01:00

Bedding plants are a wonderful way to brighten up your garden and add some instant colour. These plants can go in borders, beds, baskets and tubs. As the risk of frost is now over it is safe to put them straight into your garden. Pansys, Busy Lizzies, Geranium and Osteospurmum are amongst some of the popular bedding plants. Bedding plants need to be watered regularly and dead headed to allow new growth. Multi purpose compost is fine for general bedding plants. You may want to add a fertiliser to the soil when planting such as Bone Meal, to give it extra nutrients and help with growth. General bedding like to be grown in a sunny position but will tolerate slight shade.

Top 3 plants for May

2009-05-20T10:18:00.003+01:00

Clematis Montana Var Grandiflora- This is a lovely climber which produces single white flowers with cream anthers. These are produced for about 4 weeks at the end of spring beginning of summer. It also bears wonderful foliage throughout summer and is a quick climber.This clematis can grow upto 10m tall and 4m wide.

Allium x Hollandicum-( please see image) This is an upright bulbous perennial. During the summer period it produces thick, round heads of many star shaped purple flowers. Many people dry the attractive seed heads out during the autumn as they are good for dried flower arrangements. Alliums prefer to be grown in the full sun but will tolerate light shade. They like fertile well drained soil and can grown to 1m tall.

Choisya Aztex Pearl AKA Mexican Orange Blossom- The Aztec pearl is a robust evergreen shrub. From late spring to late summer is produces pink tinted white flowers with a sweet scent. The leaves are a glossy green and provide a lovely aroma. These plants like to be grown in the sun but can tolerate part shade. They can be planted in multi purpose soil and the flowers should be deadheaded so the next lot of flowers are healthy

Removing Pond Weeds

2009-05-11T11:23:00.003+01:00

Your pond should be cleaned out early to prevent weeds taking over. Blanket weed and Duckweed are two major pond weeds that should be cleaned out. Duckweed is particularly difficult to get rid of if it becomes established. It can be easily be removed using a net and scooping it out of the pond.
Blanket weed is an algae which looks a bit like candy floss. Again it is easily removed, all you need to do is twist it around a garden cane or old broom handle. Once it has been removed leave it at the side of the pond with an end trailing into the pond so that pond creatures can easily go back into the pond. After that it can be added to the compost bin. To reduce the likelihood of these weeds try adding Oxygenating plants to the pond as they help to reduce the growth of algae.

Gardening Tips for May

2009-05-11T11:04:00.002+01:00

-Protect your plants from Slugs

-Use water fertiliser on aquatic plants

-Take care of your lawn by feeding, weeding and mowing regularly

-Prune spring flowering shrubs that have finished flowering

-Finish planting evergreen shrubs

-Protect your crops from carrot fly

-Continue sowing vegetable plants

-Plant Dahlias near the end of the month.

Setting Up a Tropical Fish Tank

2009-05-04T12:05:00.004+01:00

Its not just plants we offer at Whitehall. We have a fantastic aquatic and reptile centre and here are some tips they have given us when setting up a tropical fish tank.

If you are new to keeping fish it is a good idea to talk to the people in an aquatics centre. The first thing you need to do is buy a tank and decide what fish you would like to keep. The size of the tank will determine how many fish you can keep depending on their size. You should also find out how big the fish grow to, to make sure you have room for them as they get bigger. When you have your tank, the position you put it in is rather important. It should be quiet, away from sources of hot and cold, easily accessed to water for when you are changing the water, away from direct sunlight and away from any hazards.

Once you have got a good position for your tank it is time to buy the right equipment for it. There are three main items of equipment that you should buy, these are: filter, heater and light system. The Filter removes toxic ammonia and solid waste from the aquarium making it a healthy environment. The heater controls the temperature in the tank which is important to the well being of fish. The light system can promote plant growth and lets you see in!

Once you have all of the above in place you can add decoration to your tank, this will give the fish things to hide and swim in and make it astatically pleasing. Also the bottom of the tank should be covered in a layer of gravel or aquarium sand.

Now everything is in position it is time to fill your tank up! Never use mineral water, rainwater or water from a household softener to fill in your tank. Tap water is usually fine however it will have to be neutralised to get rid of chlorine and heavy metals. Tetra Aquasafe can be added to the tap water and be added every time a water change is done. Once it is filled up your filter and heater should be turned on and the thermometer added.

When it is stable Tetra Bactozym should be added to the tank to promote the development of good filter bacteria. After about 2 days the first fish can be added. The tank should be stocked slowly to allow the filter bacteria to cope with the amount of ammonia.

Three Top Shrubs

2009-04-29T11:04:00.003+01:00

Acer Palmatum- This foliage is a deep reddish purple and turns a bright crimson in the autumn. It brings life and colour to any garden.
Hydrangea Endless Summer- This bouquet of pinks, blues and lavender hues makes this shrub and outstanding addition to any garden.
Choisya Sundance- The sundance has evergreen light green yellowish leaves with the added bonus of small white flowers that cover the plants from late spring to early summer.
All of these shrubs are easy to care for and will bring delight into your garden all year round.

Whitehalls plant of the month- Lavender

2009-04-22T11:48:00.003+01:00

Lavender

This plant is loved for its relaxing scent and providing deep shades of violet, blue, deep pink and mauve. A very popular Lavender is the English Lavender Hidcote. This is perfect for any garden and can go in a container, the ground or even a hedge. Another popular Lavender is the French Stoechas Mixed. This is an attractive and unusual Lavender and loves the sun.

Grow your Own Tomatoes Outdoors

2009-04-21T12:09:00.003+01:00

Outdoor Tomatoes are tender plants and prefer to be in a warm spot preferably on a south facing wall. During winter, dig the area that you will use for planting thoroughly and incorpate garden compost plus peat. Before you plant the Tomato plants it is a good idea to rake some general fertiliser through the soil eg Growmore. If you are short of space in your garden you can grow Tomatoes in containers or bags for a patio or balcony. The plants will need more water if you decide to grow them this way. The time to sow the plants is between May-June. To care for the Tomato plant it is important that you remove dead or yellowing leaves, water regularly in dry weather. Do not over water or let dry out as this will cause the blossom to end or rot the fruit. Feed regularly with Tomato fertlisier eg Tomorite. When the small Tomatoes have developed on the 4th truss ( fruting stem) remove the tip at 2 leaves above this truss.

Beautiful Spring Plants

2009-04-15T11:13:00.003+01:00

Euphorbia Euphorbia polychroma- This is a bushy herbaceous perennial, which forms a thick mound of deep dark green sometimes purple tinted leaves. From mid spring to mid summer it has long lasting bright yellow flowers. These flowers are very bright even in the shade. This plant can grow upto 40cm in height and 60cm wide. It grows best in full sun but is tolerant of shade. It likes well drained soil with organic matter.

Plants to Attract Insects and Birds

2009-04-14T11:58:00.005+01:00

Plants to attract Butterflies include Alyssum, Buddleis Davidii, Monarda didyma, Heliotropum x hybridum, Iberis matronalis, Anethum Raveolens, Gypsophilia paniculata, Hebe and Lunaria.

Plants to attract Birds include Acuba, Barberry, Buddleia, Callicarpa, Japonica, Clerodendrum, Cotoneaster, Daphne, Euonymus, Hebe, Hippophae, Hypericum, Illex, Mahonia, Rhus, Ribes, Skimmia, Snowberry, Syringa lilac and Viburnum.

Plants to attract Ladybirds include Achillea Millefolium, Anthemis, Buddeleia davidii, Convolvulus tricolour, Cosmos, Solidago.

Plants to attract Bees include Berberis, Buddleia, Ceanothus, Daphne, Lamium maculatatum, Escallonia, Ulex, Fuchsia, Lavender, Syringa Lilac,Mint, Marjoram, Cistus-rock rose, Skimmia, Spirea and Rhus

Beautiful Spring Plants

2009-04-14T11:26:00.002+01:00

Bleeding Heart- Dicentra spectabilis. This is a wonderful, elegant herbaceous perennial. In late spring/ early summer the plant has arching stems that bear hanging heart shaped flowers with pink outer petals and crisp white inner flowers. The leaves are very fine and are almost fern like. These plants grow to 1.2m 4ft in height and 45cm 18inchs wide. It is best to be planted in damp, neutral soil with fertiliser and divided every three to four years.

Garden Maintenance- Deadhead Daffodils

2009-04-07T10:00:00.005+01:00

Now that Daffodils are starting to go over ,it is time to deadhead them. Snap the flower heads off from just behind the swollen part, the stem can be left intact. If dead flowers are left on, the plants energy will go into regenerating plant seeds. However if you remove the head the plants energy is diverted into next years bud within the bulb. It used to be thought that you had to leave the foliage on the plant and let it die back completely to give the plant a good time to build up energy for next year. However research has now shown that the foliage can be cut down six weeks after the foliage has died. Either method is fine to use but dead flower heads can look messy.

Cleaning out your pond

2009-04-07T09:19:00.003+01:00

Cleaning out your pond does not need to be done every year, however if the plants are getting bigger and making your pond crowded now is the time to do it. To start cleaning out your pond lift all plants and their baskets out. Now may be a good time to remove fish using a net. Put the removed fish in a temporary home with pond water and not tap water. Pump out the water and gently scoop out mud from the bottom being careful not to damage any liners. Hose and wash the liner using a soft brush and them remove the murky water left as residue. You can now begin to refill your pond, refill with your plants and divide them up and replace unhealthy plants. Lastly put the fish back into the pond along with the water they have been sitting in. After the pond is refilled, the water may go green but this will soon sort itself out when the plants re- establish.

Planting Tips for April

2009-04-01T09:15:00.004+01:00

These are our top planting tips for April...

-Time to feed established lawns

-Plant evergreen trees and shrubs and continue to water new trees and shrubs when they become dry

-Trim your shrubs from dead leaves, to keep them healthy and bushy

-Prune early flowering shrubs

-Secure all tall perennials and trees with stakes

-Put slug pellets down to protect young growth and flowers

-Start weeding

-Deadhead Daffodils

-Time to now plant any annual climbers and grasses you have

-It is your last chance to plant summer flowering bulbs and sow Sweet Peas

-Continue planning vegetable plants outdoors

Growing Herbs in Pots

2009-03-30T11:45:00.002+01:00

Growing your own herbs is easy and fuss free. They will grow well in patio pots or window boxes potted in multi purpose compost. Herbs such as Mint and Basil can be rotated by bringing them into the kitchen to use them and return them outside to resprout once you have used all the leaves. Fennel makes a beautiful border plant with the Bronze variety is particularly attractive and can bring colour and flavour to your garden. Rosemary and Sage are good to plant near a doorway so that their aroma can be enjoyed when you brush past them. Edible flowers such as Marigolds, Violas and Roses can be grown in the garden and can brighten up a salad.

Our Top Ten Herbs...

*Mint- put with Potatoes, Peas and for making Mint sauce

*Parsley- Great with Fish and the flavour sauces

*Rosemary- Put with Lamb and to flavour soups and stews
*Sage- Great with stuffing and putting with Pork

*Thyme-Gives a great flavour to Fish, Sausages and Stuffing

*Basil- Great with Italian dishes, Spaghetti and Soups

*Chives- Put with Potato, Eggs, Cheese and use in Salads and Omlettes

*Coriander- Tastes great in Curries, Soups and Salads

*Fennel- Garnish Fish

*Oregano- A lovely Italian, Greek and Mexican cooking.

Whitehalls Plant of the Month- Ceanothus

2009-03-30T11:17:00.007+01:00

For April Whitehall`s plant of the month is the Ceanothus. These plants are noted for their deep blue flowers and glossy green leaves. They can be grown as a small tree or shrub. They are a popular evergreen plant which flowers from March to September, producing bright blue scented flowers. They like to be planted in an area that is in a sunny position but is protected from the wind. They also enjoy neutral to slightly chalky soil that is free draining. Three varieties that are popular are the Puget Blue, Blue Mound and the Sky Lark. Click here for Ceanothus

Houseplant pests and diseases

2009-03-16T11:41:00.006Z

Types of Pest or Disease...

Aphids (Black, White or Green Fly)

Scale (Little brown "Army hats" found of the veins of leaves)

Thrips (Quick moving jumping black fly found on the top of compost)

Mealy Bug (White cotton wool like fluff)

Red Spider Mite (Very small webs with tiny red spider which can be seen through a magnifying glass)

Vine Weevil (Larvae like maggots in summer found in compost and turn into hard backed black Beatles in the Autumn.

Botrytis (Grey moulding of leaves and stems)

Oedema (Scabbed, split and crinkled leaves)

Due to recent EU regulations many chemicals have become unavailable for common use. However we still have a few products available which can help prevent or cure pests and disease.

Provado Ultimate Bug Killer is avaliable as a ready made spray or as a concentrate, this is highly recommended and will deal with all of the pest listed except Vine Weevil. For Vine Weevil there is a product called Provado Vine Weevil Killer which can be used.

Strawberry Plants

2009-03-16T11:14:00.003Z

Planting and upkeep-Strawberries are an ideal fruit to grow in your garden as they do not take up a lot of room and can also provide your garden with pretty flowers as well as delicious ripe fruits. Strawberries can be grown in many soil conditions however they will thrive in well drained soil that is rich in humus. They also like to be in full sunlight and out of the wind. The ideal time to plant Strawberries outdoors is between June and September. It is best to prepare the soil before you plant, you can do this by digging over the soil and removing any weeds and then putting manure down on the soil. Plant the Strawberry plants about 35cm apart in rows, with the rows being about 75cm apart. To prevent Slugs getting at your crop put down pellets, grit or broken egg shells under each plant. To make sure you get the best Strawberries, hoe between the rows, also to stop pests such as Rabbits, Birds and Squirrels you may want to put a net over the top. You can also surround the area with Barley Straw to help prevent the growth of weeds.
Harvest- As soon as any fruit appears ripe it is a good idea to pick it to stop it from rotting, check the plant regularly for ripening fruit and when it turns red you know it is ripe. Then all you need to do is enjoy your fruit!

Tip- Strawberries can also be planted in a pop up Strawberry planter and placed on a patio or small garden. This eliminates the waste of space and the need for a lot of digging.

Planting tips for March

2009-03-02T11:59:00.003Z

-Start to Mow your lawns

-Prune bush and shrub roses

-Plant climbers

-Plant early potaotes

-Reseed bare patches that have appeared on your lawn

-Put pumps in your ponds

-Move any evergreen shrubs that you wish

-Time to start planting summer flowering bulbs

-Sow sweet peas outdoors and plant young plants in the garden

-Start to protect your plants from slugs

-Cut down old growth left over from winter

Care of your Oncidium (Golden Shower Orchid)

2009-03-02T11:13:00.003Z

Oncidiums originate from places in the Americas, right from Florida to Argentina. They are epiphytic, which means they grown on the bark of trees and have pseudobulbs producing lengthy flowering spikes. Their flowers are small and curiously shaped with the dominating lip well defined and decorative. The egg shaped flat pseudobulbs grow closely together and carry one or two star shaped pointed leaves. The slender flower stems stand erect with six to twelve flowers which generally appear in the autumn and can last into early spring!

When the flowers are finished, cut the stem down at its growing point in the leaves. Keep your Oncidium in a good light but protect from direct bright sunlight in the summer. During the winter never let the temperature drop below 12 degrees C. Humidity is essential for these plants, stand the pot on some gravel with water added but not allowing the water to rise above the gravel. This houseplant needs to be watered weekly in the summer and fortnightly in the winter. To maintain the plant, refresh the compost in the spring after flowering has finished. By doing all of these things your Orchid should remain healthy and lively.

Grow Your Own - Onions

2009-02-24T12:34:00.006Z

Onion Sets -You can raise an onion from a seed or a small bulb called a set. Seeds can be cheaper and have more varieties available and have more flexible sowing times however there is more labour involved in raising onions from seeds and there is more risk of pest and disease attack. Sets are already started and so therefore make it easier to grow, are ready to harvest earlier and are stronger so are less prone to disease and pests. Even if your soil is less than perfect, sets will give you a good crop however they do not have such a wide spectrum of varieties.
Planting
To plant your onions seeds or sets you should never sow them in cold or wet soil, sow thinly about 30cm apart. The ideal time to plant is March, just push the set into the soil so that the tip is just below the surface. Once the crop becomes established you can water them. The end product needs to be dry and hard so little watering is required once they are established unless there are signs of wilting. Make sure you keep the bed weed free to prevent bolting.
Harvesting
When the green stems above the ground collapse your onions are ready to be harvested! Ease the bulbs out of the ground with a garden fork being pushed under the bulb and eased up and then pull it out.

Whitehall`s Plant of the Month- Hebe

2009-02-24T08:41:00.004Z

Whitehall's Plant of the month this month is the Hebe. We have three varieties of Hebe's in particular that are sure to catch your eye and brighten up your garden.
The first one is Hebe "First Light", this is a spreading evergreen shrub which can grow up to 12in (30cm) high and 36in (90cm) wide. It boasts bronze-green coloured leaves that are shaped in a spear which can grow up to 1in (2.5cm) long. Short racemes of pink flowers are borne over a long time in the summer and remain fairly hardy in the UK winter.
Hebe "Pearl of Paradise" is a small, compact evergreen shrub which may grow upto 30in (75cm high within the space of 4 years. This plant also bears spear shaped leaves in a green colour. Spikes of lilac flowers are produced in May and June and can often flower again in the late summer and autumn if it has been pruned properly. It enjoys full sunlight and moist soil.
The final Hebe is a "Purple Pixie", a pretty, low growing shrub that grows up to about 20in (50cm) in height. It is a sturdy specimen with short, rounded, matt green leaves which are held onto ruddy brown stems. It blooms freely producing lilac blue flowering spikes that are conical and appear for around two months in the summer.

Prune Overgrown Evergreens

2009-02-23T10:17:00.002Z

Now is the time to start pruning your evergreens, provided that they are hardy. More tender shrubs such as Choisya Ternata ( Mexican orange blossom) should not be pruned until later on in the year when the weather is a little bit warmer. You can prune back any shoots that have become crowded or have grown awkwardly to maintain your plants shape and keep it healthy. If you have a plant such as Prunus Laurocerasus, Aucuba Japonica (Spotted Laurel) or Viburnum tinus, you may need to prune these to ground level as these can require quite drastic pruning. This method of pruning may encourage strong growth from the base of the plant. After you have pruned, feed the plant with an organic fertiliser and then mulch with organic matter to ensure a healthy beautiful plant!

Grow your own Potatoes- Planting Guide

2009-02-11T11:33:00.004Z

Easy Planting- A good time to plant is the first or second week in March. Potatoes can be planted using a large dibber or by making a trench the width of a spade 6-9" deep. Sprinkle with calcified seaweed or Maxicrop fertilizer. Places earlies about 12" between tubers and place main crop about 15" between tubers. The rows should be approximately 2ft apart and gently fill each trench and wait for the new shoots to appear.

Now is the time to earth them up, using the soil between the rows. If the weather looks like its going to be frosty, keep earthing them up and when they are too large, cover them with fibre fleece which should keep two or three degrees of frost off.

Rotation- Potatoes have a fairly wide range of minor pests and one or two major pests. Reasonable rotation of crops in the garden is important to keep the pest numbers down to manageable levels. Pests which do not have access to potatoes have a limited survival time. Ideally the same part of the garden should only be planted with seed potatoes once every 3-4 years because of these diseases.

Grow Your Own Potatoes in Containers

2009-02-11T10:21:00.007Z

Tips

Potato barrels and larger pots can be used to plant seed potatoes, however sometimes compost can become very compressed due to watering or wet weather. This can be remedied by mixing some form of perlite or organic matter into the soil. This will stop the compressing and not harm the tubers.

How to plant

Use containers with a diameter of at least 30cm (12in) to allow plants to develop. Make sure that there is adequate drainage in the container and then place around 10cm (4in) of compost mixed with perlite in the pot. Add the seed potato and then cover with around 5cm (2in) of compost, continue this process at intervals until the container will not hold any more compost. When your plant is ready to harvest you should find that your container is full of potatoes!!

This method of growing potatoes is good if you have a small garden, do not have a Vegatable Bed or wish to enter a Vegetable Growing Show as it minimises blemishes on the potatoes.

Februarys Star Plant

2009-02-04T09:45:00.005Z

Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) - This is a robust perennial. In late winter/early spring it boasts slim, goblet shaped flowers. They are available in white, lilac, red and purple. The average size is 10cm high. It is best to grow Crocus's in full view of the sun, however it will tolerate slight shade. Plant them in well drained soil that is fertile and healthy.

Gardening Tips for February

2009-02-03T11:39:00.009Z

Here are some general gardening tips for the month of February...

*Top up food and water supplies for wild birds.

*Its time to apply organic-based fertiliser

*Firm newly planted trees and shrubs if they have been lifted by the frost.

*Prune winter flowering shrubs that have come to the end of their flowering season

*Prune any hardy evergreen shrubs you may have

*Start Dahlia tubers into growth

*Divide and plant snowdrops

*Now is the time to Lime vegetable plots if required

*Check that your garden tools are in working order and have a clear out to prepare for the spring.

Planting your tree

2009-01-21T09:06:00.005Z

Spring is a good time to plant your tree and give it a good chance of survival.

Preparation - clear the area of any grass and weeds; you do not want them to compete with your new tree for moisture, nutrients and light. If you are planting in a lawn it is a good idea to cut out a circle of turf in the area to be planted.

Planting - Dig a hole big enough to take the roots and ensure there is enough room for them to spread their full extent. Keep separate any good quality top soil because this can be used later. Fork the bottom of your hole and loosen the soil slightly so as to enable the roots to establish in the surrounding soil, this is more important if the soil is heavy or clay. It is worth considering digging the hole a little bigger and putting a layer of gravel and compost in the bottom especially if the soil is of poor quality. Remove the pot off your tree and place it in the hole. It should be planted at the same depth as it was in the pot. Insert a stake next to the rootball not through it. It should be on the side of prevailing wind so the wind blows the tree away from the stake to prevent any chaffing. Start to refill the hole using the top soil you put to one side, ensuring the tree will not move. Firm down the soil well to eliminate any air pockets but not too much to compact the soil. Fasten your tree to the tree stake using a rubber tree tie and water well.

Aftercare -It can take up to 2 years for a tree to get fully established. So it is important not to let it dry out during this period especially during dry spells. Feed your tree from the first spring after planting there is no need to before that. Always check the stake and the tie regularly especially during the growth season.

Januarys Star Plant

2009-01-20T12:14:00.005Z

Skimmia ( Skimmia Japonica) This is a tough evergreen shrub. It produces dense clusters of pink buds during the winter which open to show white flowers that produce a beautiful scent. This shrub requires little pruning. The leaves are a glossy dark green that stay like this all year round. Female plants will produce red berries if grown next to a male plant. A Skimmia should ideally be grown in the shade in rich fertile soil.

How to care for birds in your garden.

2009-01-17T10:48:00.011Z

Click Here
At this time of year food is very important for wild birds as natural supplies are low. There are many ways that you can feed birds and attract them into your garden at this time of year.

Finches, Sparrows, Buntings, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robins and Chaffinches are predominantly seed eaters, you can encourage these species into your garden by providing hanging seed feeders or bird tables with plenty of seed resting on. Some also prefer to have seed scattered on the ground for easy access.
There are many blends of seed that are available including sunflower seed, millet, hemp and flaked maize. Some mixtures may contain dried mealworms or fruits for extra nutrition.

Yellowhammers, Reed buntings, Blue tits and Siskins are frequently found eating peanuts. You can hang peanut feeders in trees, poles and from a bird table to provide nutritious food. Peanuts are packed with energy and are rich in oils and proteins, this makes them an ideal food for wild
birds during the winter. Make sure you check your peanuts and
feeders regularly and discard any mould which may appear. Peanuts that have been roasted or salted should not be given to birds.

Plants to attract birds into your garden - Aucuba, Barberry, Budlei- Butterfly bush, Japonica, Clerodendrum, Cotoneaster, Daphne, Euonymus europaeus, Hebe Veronica, Hippophae- Buchthorn, Hypericum-St johns wort, Holly, Mahonia, Prickly heath, Pyracantha- Firehorn, Rhus- Sumach, Snowberry, Lilac and Viburnum.

Pest control: How to keep Cats/Moles out of your garden!

2009-01-06T11:17:00.010Z

Most gardeners experience a visit from a Cat or a Mole at some point. There are many products available to rid your garden of these menaces! Click here

For Cats there are 4 main products avaliable. These are "Growing success cat repellent" which consists of small pellets, " Get off Crystals", this product is a gel which you scatter on your garden and "Silent roar" which is also sold in a pellet form. All of these products have odours which cats do not like; this therefore deters them from entering your garden. The final and usually the most succesful cat repellent avaliable is a "Sonic Cat repeller". This uses a battery for energy or an adaptor from an electricity supply connected to your house. The product sends sonic signals to the area which the cats need to be repelled from.

For Moles you can use a Claw trap or alternatively a product called "Growing success repellent". These are crystals which are dissolved in water then sprayed onto the area. You can also obtain a sonic Mole repellor which works in the same way as the Cat repeller however you can also have a solar powered Mole repeller.

Planting Tips for January

2008-12-27T10:52:00.005Z

Here are some general gardening tips for the month of January...

*Check the supports of your trees and shrubs
*This is the time to be planting deciduous hedging
*Prune your trees and shrubs to help them maintain shape
*Also It is the time to Prune Wisteria and other climbers
*Brush any snow off of trees and shrubs to keep them strong and make sure branches do not break off.
*Aerate your lawn to improve the drainage
*Plant Sweet Peas under shelter
*Get ready to plant seeds and summer flowering bulbs.

Welcome to Whitehall's Blog

2008-12-25T22:27:00.000Z

Welcome to Whitehall Garden Centre 2009 Blog

Whitehall Garden Centre

Garden Furniture at Whitehall...

Easter Whitehall Garden Centre

Mothers day at Whitehall

January Checklist

Happy New Year!

Father Christmas!!

Decembers Gardening Tips

Christmas is coming!

October Gardening Tips

Feeding Wild Birds in the Winter

Planting Spring Bulbs

Planting New Perennials

Septembers Gardening Tips

Osteospermum

Around the Garden in August

Whitehalls Plant of the Month- Hydrangea

Gardening Tips for August

Pick and Prune Raspberries

Managing Pest and Disease

Planning your Holiday Garden

Gardening Tips for July

Climbing Roses

Whitehalls Plant of the Month

Grape Vines

Bedding Plants

Top 3 plants for May

Removing Pond Weeds

Gardening Tips for May

Setting Up a Tropical Fish Tank

Three Top Shrubs

Whitehalls plant of the month- Lavender

Grow your Own Tomatoes Outdoors

Beautiful Spring Plants

Plants to Attract Insects and Birds

Beautiful Spring Plants

Garden Maintenance- Deadhead Daffodils

Cleaning out your pond

Planting Tips for April

Growing Herbs in Pots

Whitehalls Plant of the Month- Ceanothus

Houseplant pests and diseases

Strawberry Plants

Planting tips for March

Care of your Oncidium (Golden Shower Orchid)

Grow Your Own - Onions

Whitehall`s Plant of the Month- Hebe

Prune Overgrown Evergreens

Grow your own Potatoes- Planting Guide

Grow Your Own Potatoes in Containers

*Februarys Star Plant*

Gardening Tips for February

Planting your tree

*Januarys Star Plant*

How to care for birds in your garden.

Pest control: How to keep Cats/Moles out of your garden!

Planting Tips for January

Welcome to Whitehall's Blog

Februarys Star Plant

Januarys Star Plant