|
The winter months may mean you cannot do as much in your garden, so enjoy sitting back and planning your changes for the coming year. The garden needn’t be dulls so use plants with winter interest and add colour using winter pansies or violas. Think about lighting your garden with exterior lights or dressing a tree to celebrate the festive season. Most of all, relax and enjoy the festivities!
Christmas trees
Real trees are now available in store so buy early to ensure your freshly cut tree lasts the season. At Armitage’s you’ll find an excellent range of pines and firs, including the traditional Norway spruce and the the non-needle drop Nordmann. Don’t forget that all live trees will need watering – so buy a self-watering stand for cut trees. Look out for Spray ‘N’ Save as this will also help prevent needle loss.
Poinsettias
Poinsettias are the perfect way of bringing festive colour to any home over the Christmas period. They’re available in a wide range of colours – such as red, salmon and cream and even bi-colours. Or what about planted bowls of beautifully scented hyacinths? Both make great presents and are available at Armitage’s with a range of attractive pot covers.
Feed our feathered friends this winter
In the cold winter months, our wildlife may need a little help with food and shelter. There is a wide range of feeders, tables and food available so don’t forget to put out food and water every day.
Camellias
With their glossy, evergreen foliage and large flowers in spring, camellias are the perfect way of brightening up the garden. Buy yourself some now or give them as presents.They need a lime-free soil, so if yours isn’t suitable grow them in large pots.
Service your Garden Machinery
As winter sets in, think before you put your garden machinery away. Your lawn mower and other heavy duty equipment will greatly benefit from a good clean to prepare it for winter storage. Drain all fuel from your mower and run it until it stops, and add fuel stabiliser to any fuel you are storing to prolong its life. If you have an electric start, ensure your battery is charged periodically over winter. If your machine needs a service or your blades need sharpening, contact Armitage’s Mower World & Service Centre on 01484 648328 for more information.
Pest Watch
Although most pests and diseases are less active in the winter, it still pays to keep a close eye out for any problems and deal with them as soon as they’re seen. Houseplants and plants in greenhouses and conservatories are especially prone to attack from pests such as whitefly, aphids, mealybug and red spider mite, but can be quickly helped with a ready-to-use pesticide spray. Misting over foliage houseplants will help to keep them healthy – especially in centrally-heated homes. But the humidity in greenhouses and frames is best kept low, especially if the greenhouse isn’t heated – to prevent attacks from botrytis and other diseases.
Artificial Christmas trees
Bring Christmas to life with an artificial Christmas tree. The range available is now extensive with pre-lit trees and fibre optics providing fantastic choice.
Cyclamen and Azaleas
Brighten up your home over the festive period with superb Cyclamen and Azaleas. They need somewhere cool and in good, indirect light and should be kept moist for best results. Ready-made planters and baskets provide an instant display and make the perfect gift.
Tools for great presents
If you’re stuck for what present to give the gardener in your life, then don’t forget that gardening tools make perfect presents. So go on, give them a new stainless steel spade or a pair of quality secateurs, or how about spoiling them with a handy quick-change tool system? Ask in store at Armitage’s for more ideas and advice.
Instant baskets
You can’t beat containers for brightening up gardens throughout the winter and spring months – and they also make great presents. Opt for colourful ready-planted ones or plant up one yourself for a bespoke finish.
|
