Bulletin

ST. PATRICK’S DAY QUICK BULLETIN

YOUNG GARDENERS – St Patrick’s Day this week end and is the traditional time to plants seed potatoes.   Young gardeners can plant a potato in a large pot containing compost in the Garden Centre this Saturday under the supervision of Gary the Gardener.

Young Gardeners can take the pot home for FREE and grow their own potatoes.   Harvesting new spuds in June.

SPECIAL  ST  PATRICK’S  WEEK END  OFFERS

SATURDAY  –  SUNDAY & MONDAY –

17 OFFERS ALL ROUND THE SHOP

LIST OF OFFERS AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCE TO SHOP

FREE IRISH STEW OF SATURDAY ONLY WHILE STOCKS LAST.

CHILDREN’S COMPETITION

Decorate a potato and bring it into the garden centre to win a prize.

Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day week end.

 

GARDEN BULLETIN MID MARCH

The days are getting longer and hopefully a little warmer, nearly all of our new plants have arrived. This year we have some new plants we have not had before and in we think we have the best collection of plants in N. Ireland.

Roses – The new seasons roses are now all available for planting, we have over 70 varieties to choose from including Special Varieties – The Queens Platinum Jubilee, The Kings Coronation Rose (climber) Zepeti new Patio Rose, Meteor Voted Rose of the year 2024 Plus lots of Roses for Celebrations.

Pruning Roses – Mid March is the best time to prune bush roses. Cut out all the dead wood and branches growing into the centre. Pick 3 to 4 branches pointing in different directions and cut back to 3 or 4 buds from ground level. If you are not too sure pop into the centre and we will show you.

Feeding Roses – Once pruned it is time to give them a good feed use Westland Rose Food enriched with dried horse manure and again in June and early July. You can use a mulch to lock in the water which will also suppress weeds.

Planting Roses – When planning in new roses dig a hole twice the size of the root system (or pot) break the bottom of the hole up for drainage, if the soil is heavy put in some horticultural grit or fine stones this will help with drainage. Use Westland Rose Compost place the rose in the hole and back fill with the rest of the compost.

Spraying Roses – Once the roses start to push out new growth it is a good idea to start spraying your roses every two weeks with a suitable fungicide to control rust, mildew and black spot use Roseclear or Fungus Clear Ultra. Spray on a calm dry dull day usually in the evening.

Seed Potatoes – We have quite a few different varieties to choose from, first earlies, main crop and second earlies. They are selling well the traditional time for planting is St. Patricks Day assuming the weather and ground conditions are favourable, if not delay planting until conditions get better.

Seeds – Our excellent range of Flower and Vegetable Seeds are now available for planting indoors with a little heat. Sow direct into the soil in April when conditions are better.

Summer Flowering Bulbs – Begonias, dahlias, lilies and gladioli can be planted now in pots using a multi purpose compost keep indoors and plant out when all frost has gone usually late April onwards.

Spring Flowering Bedding Plants – These will help to brighten up the borders and tubs we have Bellis, Violas, pansies, primroses and will provide colour up until the summer bedding plants become available. Use a multi purpose compost when planting.

Mothers Day – 10th March we have a new delivery of House Plants a beautiful collection of flowering and foliage plants including Bonsai, Cacti, succulents and large specimen plants. We also have in Bush roses – “My lovely Mum” “Mum in a Million” and “Happy Mother’s Day”. If you require it wrapped Julieann will be around on Saturday.

ST. PATRICKS DAY – Sunday 17th March we gardeners regard this as the kick off day for the new season hopefully the weather is getting better and the days are getting longer. We will have our usual specially selected items on special offer from 16th to 18th a full list of offers is available in the centre.

DATE FOR THE DIARY Charlotte our Bonsai Consultant will be in the Centre to do Bonsai Work shop on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd from 10.00am to 4.30pm. Bring in you bonsai for a free health check, we have bonsai trees, accessories and pots for sale. 10% discount on purchases of bonsai related products on both days.

TIPS TIPS AND MORE TIPS

1. Protect young emerging foliage from slugs and snails using organic slug pellets, different products in the centre.
2. Seed potatoes can be planted in large containers using Westland Vegetable soil or vegetable compost.
3. Check stakes and tree ties after the winter period to ensure they are supporting the tree and not too tight.
4. Do not start feeding your lawn until early April.
5. Moss in the lawn is a big problem due to bad surface drainage and all the rain we have had over the winter use Westland Moss Master from Mid March onwards.

Opening Hours

Monday – Saturday 9.00am – 5.30pm

Sunday 1.00pm = 5.00pm

Open as above St Patricks week end.

Enjoy your Garden.

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October

Autumn Lawn Feed

Winter Preparations

All fallen leaves can be put on a compost heap

November

Christmas Shop

Cut perennial plants right down, adding all the remains to the compost heap.

December

Christmas Shop

To protect your potted plants from the harshest winter weather group them in a sheltered spot