March Gardening – A Seasonal Garden. As spring approaches, us British gardeners are eagerly preparing our plots for the new growing season.
Winter Gardening – 7 Essential Tasks
Whether you’re a casual gardener or green fingered expert, there’s always a job to do even in the winter months. And winter gardening, in actual fact, can make a huge difference to your success come spring and summer. Here are our seven essential gardening tasks to get ahead in the winter months: #1: Clean Pots The quieter winter months give … Read More
The wildlife of Grim’s Dyke
Grim’s Dyke is an attraction to many of our visitors. Not only does it have a rich history, but the building architecture and garden design also play a big part in that attraction. However, another reason Grim’s Dyke is popular is down to the wildlife the grounds attract. Whether you’re a bird watcher, nature lover, entomologist or keen wildlife spotter, … Read More
10 Reasons Why We Love Tulips
Take a look outside your window. Summer is well and truly here! And that means balmy evenings in beer gardens, gathering round the barbecue with friends and giving our gardens the TLC they’ve been sorely missing in the colder, wetter months. And if you’re looking to inject some quintessential summer cheer into your garden, you could do much worse than … Read More
10 facts about Alliums
Bees and butterflies love alliums, as do many gardeners. Deer and rabbit, however, tend to shy away from them – and that could be due to the rather pungent aroma they can give off if the stems are broken! Alliums look stunning when planted in borders, beds and pots. However, they look their most spectacular when planted in groups. They’re … Read More
A brief history of Victorian herbalism
Herbalism or botanical medicine is one of the oldest traditions around. The Egyptians used herbs for medicine, as did indigenous healers around the world. In Britain, herbalism can be traced back thousands of years. The British Library has a copy of a ‘leech book’ – thought to date back as far as the 800s CE! Medieval lay healers used herbs, … Read More
Traditional picnics – the Victorian way
Picnics, the ideal opportunity to meet up with friends and family, enjoy an informal yet tasty meal, whilst having fun in the great outdoors. Wealthy landowners loved a good picnic, as it gave them the chance to sit and enjoy the scenery their estates gave them. However, it was the Victorians who brought picnics to the masses. Their popularity was, … Read More
10 Facts about the beautiful wisteria plant
Wisteria is a beautiful, delicately scented climber that graces many a wall in the UK. Ideal for training up structures, pergolas and trees, it’s a popular plant and loved by many. Here are our top 10 facts about this popular climber. #1: Wisteria is part of the legume family The legume family is also home to peas, beans, lentils and … Read More
A Brief History of the Victorian Glasshouse
The greenhouse, otherwise known as the Victorian glasshouse, became an iconic feature of british gardens during the Victorian era. As the Victorian’s love of gardening grew, the need to house their fragile, temperature controlled and valuable plants did too. The glasshouse provided a home for these species, whilst also paving the way for plant experimentation and cultivation. A status symbol … Read More
Take a leisurely stroll around the nature walks around Grim’s Dyke
For the nature lovers and walkers staying in the Harrow Weald area, Grim’s Dyke is a perfect location. Not only do you have our own grounds to walk around, but there’s also a few well-known nature walks around for you to explore the local flora and fauna. No matter what your walking abilities and experience, you can enjoy a pleasant … Read More