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November's cold weather means we need to protect the garden as well as the local wildlife. It’s still a great time to plant fruit trees and bushes for a delicious yield next year and its always a good time to think about composting your garden debris and kitchen waste. At Armitage’s Garden Centres in Shelley and Birchencliffe, we have everything you need to keep your garden looking fantastic – whatever the season. And as Christmas approaches, Armitage’s is transformed into a winter wonderland with real and artificial trees, decorations, lights, gift ideas and much more. Enjoy the season!
Tender plants
Tender plants won’t appreciate being kept out in the cold,so move them somewhere protected from frost and cold winds. Consider using cold frames and heaters to give protection and beat off the worst of the winter weather. Plants that are hardier but still sensitive to winter cold will appreciate a thick mulch of bark and even covering with fleece and bubble wrap in the coldest weather.
Fruit
Why not create your own fruit garden this winter? Now is an excellent time to plant fruit trees and bushes and you can enjoy the fruits of your labour – quite literally – throughout 2007. To ensure bumper crops, plant with plenty of organic matter and slow-release fertiliser and make sure you train bushes where necessary and use stakes and ties for fruit trees. For more advice just ask a member of staff at Armitage’s, we’re always here to help!
Composting
Don’t throw away your spent bedding plants, kitchen waste and other plant material – turn them into valuable compost for improving your soil and mulching your beds.
And fallen tree leaves can be turned into leafmould – the perfect soil improver and mulch – especially for rhododendrons, azaleas and other woodland plants. Making good compost and leafmould is easy with compost bins, compost and leafmould accelerators, leaf rakes and collectors. Just ask if you need any help with successful composting.
Bird feed
Don’t forget the birds this autumn and winter. In the cold winter months, our local wildlife can be exposed to some frighteningly low temperatures, not to mention little food and shelter. But you could make a difference as well as control unwanted pests and increase natural bio-diversity in your garden by providing birds, animals and insects with food and shelter. Put out food and water every day for the birds and take a look at the wonderful range of homes, food and feeders for animals and insects at Armitage’s wildlife department.
Tools for great presents
If you’re stuck for that special present to give the gardener in your life, then gardening tools are the perfect solution. So, spoil them with a new stainless steel spade or a pair of quality secateurs.
Containers for winter and spring
For added colour during the cold months, you can’t beat planted containers for brightening up gardens and patios throughout the autumn, winter and spring months – and they also make perfect presents.
Greenhouse products
Make sure your greenhouse and frames are ready for winter. At Armitage’s, we have a wide range of essential products including heaters, thermometers, bubble wrap and fleece.
Pest watch
Although most pests and diseases are less active in autumn and winter, be vigilant for problems, and deal with them as soon as they’re seen. Houseplants and plants overwintered in greenhouses and frames are especially susceptible to pests, but can be quickly helped with a pesticide spray. Maintaining a high humidity around most foliage houseplants – especially those in centrally-heated houses – will help keep them strong and healthy and help reduce red spider mite attacks. The reverse is true in greenhouses and frames with high humidity can lead to problems with grey mould and other diseases.
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