|
Post by larny on Mar 31, 2008 13:02:02 GMT
Calling all garden experts! This is the place to discuss your dahlias, compare your carrots, and weed out the weevils! Maybe you have a burning horticultural question that someone can help you with, or you just want to pass on some valuable advice.
|
|
|
Post by larny on Apr 14, 2008 14:00:00 GMT
Where's your favourite garden centre? Is it Hilditchs nestled alongside the Sir Howy river in Blackwood or maybe Caerphilly? For me it's got to be The Secret Garden, Mamhilad, situated on the main road from Pontypool - Abergavenny (A4042). I love the tea rooms, where you can sit outside and enjoy the view, and the chickens running about and sleeping dogs that you have to step over. A really lovely location, even if you dont buy anything! Do you know of anywhere better?
|
|
|
Post by Steve on Apr 14, 2008 17:48:34 GMT
Good Idea For A Topic Larny. There is a Garden Centre in Raglan. It is also home to a great hot tub and swimming pool sales. The garden centre sell many gifts as well as plants. Only been there once, but will return in the summer.
|
|
|
Post by larny on May 2, 2008 8:04:39 GMT
We have just bought a gorgeous KUMQUAT tree, from Blackwood Garden Centre, and I wondered if anyone has any experience of them?
|
|
mona
Junior Member
Posts: 68
|
Post by mona on May 3, 2008 14:18:46 GMT
I love kumquats. They're great with ice-cream and even some meats. Will you need to keep it in a greenhouse? Try this for an idea Larny www.cottagesmallholder.com/?p=182I love the Raglan garden centre and also the Secret Garden.I used to live fairly near to them (nearer than now) and my mother bought our tent (about 35 years ago!!!) from Casey's Camping in Raglan Garden Centre, I think they still sell camping gear and tents. I used to buy our Christmas tree from the Secret Garden and we got our composter from the garden centre in Blackwood.
|
|
|
Post by larny on May 3, 2008 14:43:56 GMT
Thanks, Mona. Funny enough I came across that link myself when researching kumquats! I'm definitely going to try the kumquat vodka recipe, although not sure I'll be able to wait 2 years to try it!! I'd never tried them before, but loved them - they are kind of like a cross between a lemon and an orange in taste aren't they? And the smell is fantastic! Apparently there's a distillery in Corfu selling bottles of perfume made from the essential oil, imagine that! I didn't realise at first, you can eat the skin too, which is actually sweeter. I made a kumquat cheesecake last night with a gingernut biscuit base. YUM! Our tree is in the greenhouse at the mo, but you can put them outside, bringing them indoors in winter. Apparently you get 80-100 fruits per year. I'm saving the pips because I'm going to attempt growing my own - you never know your luck, eh?
|
|
mona
Junior Member
Posts: 68
|
Post by mona on May 6, 2008 10:25:47 GMT
Yes, Larny you can eat the skin too which is as you say, sweeter and it's softer. When you make your vodka please share it here - we'll open a bar! Was at the Raglan Garden Centre yesterday (bank-holiday) and it was teeming with people. I must say some of their plants are pricey compared to the garden centres in B&Q etc. but I bought a rambling rose and some fuschia. Speaking (typing ) of which I have bought dozens of these plants (fuschia) over the years and can never, ever get them to "take" after their first - and only summer. It's one of my fave plants too. Everyone I know seems to have them and growing huge and mine just die! Any advice? I water and feed them well. Please help save my fuschia... Isn't the weather today glorious?
|
|
|
Post by larny on May 7, 2008 8:41:10 GMT
Yep, weather glorious. Doesn't it make you feel better?! Of course I'll share my kumquat voddy - forum members only party, is it?
Check out www.simplyfuchsias.co.uk Mona for some growing tips. My neighbour has a huge bush in the garden and every year she cuts it right back almost to nothing, then by summer it's huge again! Perhaps you are being too kind to them? Good luck!
|
|
mona
Junior Member
Posts: 68
|
Post by mona on May 7, 2008 8:48:42 GMT
Thanks Larny, I have saved that web-site into my favourites to check out later.
|
|
|
Post by larny on May 22, 2008 18:06:28 GMT
Mona, HIC, thought you, HIC, might like to know I jsut med my, HIC, kumquat VODKAAAAAA! Only joking, but I have just made it! I'm only going to leave it 2 months though - heck I can't wait for my onions to pickle when I do those at Christmas! Got plenty of pips for sowing if nothing else!
|
|
|
Post by larny on May 28, 2008 11:30:48 GMT
As a big fan of trees, I had to let you know about a great product I just came across. A Betterware catalogue was put through my door earlier and on page 14 (issue 4) there is a 3 peice tree face! The resin, wood effect eyes, nose and mouth are designed to screw onto the trunk to bring the tree to life! It costs £12.99. Unfortunately, I haven't got a tree large enough to carry it off in my garden
If you dont have betterware, you can order from their website, www.Betterware.co.uk Type tree face into the search.
Have a look for yourself and let me know what you think
|
|
|
Post by larny on Jun 16, 2008 8:43:29 GMT
I have just come across a lovely website www.gardenalfresco.co.uk They sell lots of decorative items and statues for the garden, and an impressive collection of indoor wall art. I was initially looking for an outdoor green man plague, but found an awful lot more. Very unusual items and great gift ideas, very reasonably priced. Delivery was prompt too. Check them out.
|
|