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  • Allotment Gardening – the benefits of growing your own

    Benefits of owning an Allotment?
    Well, where to start?  As we have found out recently with the opening of our Plot to Plate greenhouse, growing your own is a very rewarding hobby.  It is so satisfying seeing and tasting the fruits of your labour served on a plate. Allotments allow us to grow fresh, organic crops that suit our own tastes, such as fruit and veg which alternatively may be expensive to buy in the supermarket. You will also escape all those pesticide residues.  On top of all that, you’ll get plenty of healthy exercise without paying for a gym membership and you’ll enjoy the camaraderie with friends on your plot, which will quickly grow into a friendly and welcoming community of gardeners to socialise amongst.

    The recent promise from the National Trust to create 1,000 new allotments may tempt you to take up a plot.  In which case you may need to look further into the pleasures and pitfalls of allotment gardening. However, if you are more ‘Gro-bag’ than ‘Good life’ then fear not, every little counts!

    Happy Growing!

    P.S.  Don’t forget, we are always willing to pass on our knowledge here at Coolings.  Want to know more about gardening but don’t know where to start? Why not try our ‘How to be a Successful Gardener’ course?  Whether it’s the basics of gardening you want to learn about (preparing soil, how to plant up, how to prune, growing in containers, composting and making it all look good etc), how to grow your own vegetables or learning more about wildlife in the garden, this course can help you. It’s split into two (15 week) modules so you can do both or just the one you are most interested in. No prior knowledge or experience is required just a practical, hands on course for people who have an interest in gardening or who are just starting out and want to learn the principles of modern day gardening. 3 hours a week

    (If you haven’t visited our Plot to Plate Greenhouse yet, make sure you pay it a visit next time you are in store.)

  • Congratulations to our Prettiest Rose Winner!

    All the entries were judged by our Coolings rose expert, Terry Austin who particularly loved this rose for its stunning display of pretty, eye-catching yellow blooms.  Terry adds “You can see that Janet has really looked after this rose, it still has lots of buds forming for continuous flowering, no signs of blackspot either.  Janet must be an expert pruner.  Beautiful.”

    Well done Janet!  We look forward to meeting you when you come to collect your prize!

    Don’t forget! Award winning garden writer, Val Bourne will be here at Coolings on the 5th September to talk about her top ten roses and how she uses them in planting.  As an organic gardener, Val has to choose roses very carefully because they have to be healthy, vigorous and disease-free.  They are all grown in her Cotswolds garden at Spring Cottage.   Tickets are only £7.50 per person.  If you love roses, you’ll love what Val has to say.  Book here.

    P.S.  All our roses are now in full bloom in our display garden here at Coolings, and are looking beautiful.  All potted roses are currently; Buy 2, SAVE £5!

  • Bounceback Butterfly Border

    These are our top planting combinations to please the eye and our insect friends too. Butterflies are great to have in the garden and these plant combinations are a top way to attract them.

  • Planting and Caring for Roses – The Basics!

    Containerised Roses can be planted at any time of year. They are bare-root roses placed in pots of potting media to prevent them drying out. They should be planted as soon as received. Personally, I think late summer/autumn is a great time to plant as it enables newly planted roses to get their roots well established before they shut down for the winter. Then, come spring, they are ready to explode with new top growth and have the advantage of well-established root system capable of handling the new canes and blooms.

    Here are some tips to planting, pruning and caring for roses in the garden:

    Planting roses…
    Aside from times of extreme weather, roses can be planted at any time during the year. The extreme weather conditions that we advise against planting are when the ground is frozen, water-logged or during a drought. Often people ask, ‘when is the best time to plant’, but as long as you avoid the conditions mentioned, there really is no one best time to plant.

    • In the area where the rose or roses are to be planted, mix in some well-rotted organic compost, forking it into the top 20-30cm of soil. Farmyard manure is ideal for this such as Levington Organic Blend Farmyard Manure (50ltr bag for £5.49).
    • Apply general fertiliser over the surface of the planting area and fork it into the same depth as the organic matter. NOTE: if you are using a mycorrhizal fungi (e.g. Rootgrow) then it is best not to apply a fertiliser at all as phosphorus (found in general fertilisers) can suppress the fungus.
    • For each rose dig a hole roughly twice the width of the plant’s roots and the depth of a spade’s blade.
    • Carefully tease out the roots of the container plants because, if this is not done, the roots may be very slow to extend outwards, leaving the young plant more susceptible to drought in summer.
    • Place the rose in the centre of the hole and, using a small cane to identify the top of the planting hole, ensure the graft union (i.e. where the cultivar joins the rootstock and the point from which the branches originate) is at soil level (not below as this is reported to increase the risk of rose dieback).
    • Back-fill gently with the excavated soil and organic mixture.
    • If you are replacing old roses with new roses, ensure that you dig out the soil to a depth and width of 45cm (18in) and exchange it with soil from a different part of the garden, as roses are at risk from replant disease, also known as soil sickness. We would recommend using Rootgrow as it is recommended to help combat replant disease.

     

    Where to plant rose…

    • Ensure plenty of sunlight – Roses thrive on direct sunlight. For best results, a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight is recommended. However, even when planted against a north wall (meaning no direct sunlight) roses can still perform well. Roses such as ‘Constance Spry’, ‘Lady of Shallot’ and ‘Golden Showers’ are great for shaded areas.
    • Avoid intense competition from other plants – the closer you plant your rose to other plants, the more competition there is for moisture and sunlight. For best results, plant your rose 3 feet (100cm) away from other plants and 2 feet (60cm) from other roses. Avoid planting a rose under an overhanging tree branch.
    • Avoid very exposed, windy sites – strong winds can cause the base of the rose to loosen in the soil. This will result in your rose rocking in the wind which will lead to it growing at an angle, which in extreme cases will kill it.

    Rosa ‘Constance Spry’, ‘Lady of Shallot’ and ‘Golden Showers’

    Pruning…
    Prune back in the first winter after planting. Do this in late winter or early spring. With all roses, first remove dead, damaged and weak growths, then:

    – Hybrid tea (large-flowered): Prune the remaining strong stems hard back to 10-15cm (4-6in) from ground level

    – Floribunda (cluster-flowered): Prune the remaining strong stems moderately hard back to about 15cm (6in) from ground level

    Ramblers and climbers: Prune remaining strong stems back to 30-40cm (1ft-15in) from ground level if not already pruned at the nursery (climbing sports of bush varieties may revert to bush type if pruned back hard)

    Shrub and species roses: Leave remaining strong stems unpruned.
    General care

    Feeding: Apply a dressing of a general or rose fertiliser every spring such as Toprose or David Austin Rose Food to promote healthy foliage and generous flowering. If growth slows, repeat the fertiliser application in mid-summer. Plants can be sprayed with Rose Clear to control pest and disease problems should they occur.

    Mulching: Follow feeding immediately with mulching, in a layer of up to 8cm (3in) deep. Keep the mulch clear of the rose stems, leaving a 10cm (4in) gap between the mulch and stems. We recommend using Strulch Organic Straw Mulch as it lasts on the surface for up to two years and does not rob nitrogen from the soil so plants stay healthy. It works by blocking out the light. It has a neutral pH so can be used anywhere in the garden AND it has a slug and snail deterrent within it. The deterrent irritates the slugs and snails – they don’t eat it and so it doesn’t enter the food chain. One 100 litre bag spreads 3m². All in all, Strulch is excellent value and that is why The Eden project and the RHS use it!

    Watering: Water well in dry spells for at least two summers after planting.

    To find out more about roses and their colour meanings please see our ‘Language of Roses’ article.

  • The Language of Roses

    Over the age, Roses have inspired people to develop a language of roses by ascribing meanings to their colour, variety or number of roses given to someone. For example, traditionally, nothing beats saying “I Love You” more than with a single, red rose (I hope my husband is reading this!). The heart-shaped petals represent love and trust, and the thorns indicate that love is not all roses! Did you know that every colour has its own meaning?

    It’s always good to know the symbolic meanings associated with roses when you gift them to your loved ones so here’s a little guide to rose flower meanings below to help you…

    RED = LOVE AND RESPECT

    Red varieties include: ‘Loveknot’, ‘Cherry Bonica’, ‘Pauls Scarlet’.

    WHITE = TRUE LOVE, INNOCENCE, DIGNITY

    White varieties include:  ‘Iceberg’, ‘New Dawn’

    PINK = LUCK, GRATITUDE, PURITY

    Pink varieties include:  ‘Queen Mother’, ‘Birthday Girl’, ‘Silver Jubilee’, ‘Blessings’.

    ORANGE = LONGING, APPRECIATION, SYMPATHY

    Orange varieties include: ‘Orange Sunblaze’, ‘Nice Day’, ‘Irish Eyes’.

    YELLOW = INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP, SOLIDARITY

    Yellow varieties include:  ‘Laura Ford’, ‘Freedom’, ‘Golden Showers’.

    We have hundreds more varieties for you to choose from so come and have a look!  For advice on planting roses and looking after them please click here.

  • Inspirational Summer Planting from Coolings

    Our own Chairman, Paul Cooling enjoyed a visit to Chelsea this year and particularly enjoyed seeing the use of vegetables being grown as part of a mixed border which was seen in several instances around the show.

    Paul adds “It was a real treat to see the planting of edibles and plants for scents amid the beautiful flowers. It’s important to remember our outside spaces are not just for people to enjoy – the flowers, fruits and seeds provide food for wildlife and nectar for bees and butterflies, while the plants offer nesting sites and shelter for birds and other animals. I also particularly enjoyed the stunning peonies on display and the Raymond Evison (clematis) and David Austin (roses) stands looked fantastic as ever”.

     

  • Good Natured Gardening

    A garden is one of the first things that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘green’.  With an estimated 16 million gardens in the UK we certainly have plenty of ‘green’ spaces.  However, the way we care for our gardens is not always as kind to nature as it could be.

    As keen or amateur gardeners, we all enjoy our outdoor spaces and understand the benefits they bring towards clean living.  The Scotts Company range of products called ‘Origins’ which has been developed to help gardeners of all levels achieve results and see their gardens flourish in harmony with their surroundings.

    This range of gardening products contains naturally occurring ingredients and are designed to cover all gardening needs from lawns to the vegetable patch.

    The range includes:

    Origins Organic Plant Food (500ml) is certified organic and made with 100% natural ingredients. It supports beautiful plants and healthy fruit and vegetables. It is ideal for use on all flowering plants and edible crops.

    Origins Organic Lawn Food (60m2) provides nutrients to your lawn and is made with 100% natural ingredients. It is enriched with organic feed which will feed for up to 3 months for a naturally lush and green lawn.

    Origins Weed Control (750ml) is a fast-acting product which produces results in just one hour. It is ideal for flower beds, borders and vegetable patches. It contains acetic acid and allows replanting or seeding 24 hours after application.

    Origins Bug Control (750ml) manages garden pests including Greenfly, Blackfly, Whitefly, Scale Insects, Mealy Bugs, Red Spider Mites and other Mites. This product, containing rapeseed oil, is perfect for use on fruit and vegetables and allows same day spray and eat.

    Origins Slug Control (450g) reduces Slug and Snail damage on plants and edibles. The active ingredient, ferric phosphate, occurs naturally in soil.

  • Best of British Pots

    As a long established family company, Coolings is keen to support British manufacturers wherever possible. As we are all starting to fill our pots with beautiful bedding plants we thought we’d share some of our stoneware products with you, all of which have been manufactured here in the UK.

    Errington Reay
    Errington Reay are a Newcastle based company that have been making handmade pots since 1878. Their popular Elemental collection is our favourite as they are inspired by the earths natural elements and the forces that shape.  They have a truly unique finish. Available in four stunning colours, each timeless and perfect for any setting. As with all Errington Reay pots they come with a 10 year guarantee.

    Weston Mill
    Weston Mill Pottery of Nottinghamshire is a family run business with more than 25 years’ experience.  Their beautiful terracotta pots are durable and handmade with unique and quirky appeal.  Terracotta pots are often loved for bringing natural warmth and beauty to home and garden.

    Smith & Jennings
    Smith and Jennings are a family run Welsh pottery business offering a great selection of part glazed terracotta in a striking range of colours. New for 2019 they have added some subtle pink and greys to their collection as shown below.

    Pheebert’s Garden Statues
    Pheebert’s are a small company dedicated to producing stylish cast-stone statuary finished to the highest standard.  They manufacture in Great Britain using quality materials and traditional methods.  Each piece is hand finished with a patina to resemble antique stone, an effect enhanced over time by the weather.  A lovely range that has been very popular with our Coolings customers.

  • Climbing The Walls

    Rosa ‘Madame Alfred Carrière’
    An incredible grower boasting a strong fruity fragrance. This (almost thornless) climber will go on flowering its lovely clusters of creamy white, sometimes flushed soft-pink, double blooms for
    months at a stretch. Suits any aspect and all soil types.

    Rosa ‘Scent from Heaven’
    Its name says it all. Voted rose of the year in 2017 mainly for its strong, rich fruity fragrance and peach-orange buds that open to lush, semi-double, apricot-orange flowers. Bred in Britain and hailed as being very diseaseresistant. To recap…this climber looks good, smells delicious and requires minimal fuss and bother.

    Rosa ‘Compassion’
    The light pink flowers tinted with coral pink coupled with its strong, sweet fragrance will not fail to warm hearts. This repeat flowering climber loves full sun to part shade and is ideal in north, south east and west aspects.

    Rosa ‘Laura Ford’
    A charming miniature climbing rose with semidouble flowers opening bright yellow at first, becoming lemon-yellow edged with pink from early in the summer through to late autumn. It also has a sweet fragrance and reaches a height of 1.8 metres, so excellent for patios and obelisks.

    Rosa ‘Albertine’
    This vigorous rambling rose will give you a dramatic display of reddish-salmon buds opening to loosely double light pink blooms. Wonderful strong, rich fruity fragrance, with strong dark green leaves. Its growth is branching and bushy and definitely has the ‘WOW’ factor.

    Apply a dressing of a general or rose fertiliser such as Toprose to promote healthy foliage and generous flowering.

    If you need help structuring your climbers we have an impressive range of arbors, arches and obelisks to choose from such as:
    Panacea Quatrefoil Arbor, Black £99.99 (available to order)
    Kelkay Barleywood Arch £79.99 (available in store)
    Tom Chambers Nostell Obelisk (available in store, prices start from £17.99

  • Tips on Planting Baskets with Beautiful Bedding

    At Coolings we know our plants because we grow our plants!  We have our own on-site nursery and 100 years’ experience in the business of bringing colour into our customers’ lives.  In a busy world, gardens are a place where we can relax and express creativity through our choice and use of plants.   Even people living in flats or sheltered accommodation can still plant and take enjoyment from containers and window boxes.

    It is always a pleasure to talk to customers and see pictures of the successes they have had using Coolings plants.  We regularly learn something new ourselves from this exchange of ideas, which is indeed part of the joy of our work.

    Experimenting with seasonal plants is fun!  However, we recognise that a lot of people appreciate a little bit of guidance with their choice.  When planting containers and hanging baskets, there is a proven formula for success: “Thriller, Filler, Spiller”.

    “Thriller”
    This provides the height, focus and ‘wow’ in the middle or back of the planter.  There is a wide choice!  Upright fuchsias, non-stop begonias, arctotis, marguerites, nicotiana, euryops, cosmos, osteospermums, regal pelargoniums, geraniums, new guinea impatiens, salvias, coleus, gaura.  Cordylines also make great centrepieces with its extravagant fountain of foliage.

    “Filler”
    These are the flowers and foliage around the “Thriller” that are used to fill out the container with colour and interest.  Begonias, petunias, dianthus, dwarf dahlia, ageratum, bush lobelia, allysum, Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’, to name but a few.  In practice some of the “Thrillers” such as geraniums in larger planters can be used as the “Fillers”.

    “Spiller”
    Plants that spill out and tumble down the side of the container.  What a choice!  surfinias, mini-trailing petunias, trailing geraniums, trailing fuchsias, cascade lobelia, Dicondra ‘Silver Falls’, trailing begonia, helicrysum, bacopa, diascia, nemesia, scavola, brachyscome, verbena, bidens.  A truly amazing “Spiller” plant is Tradescantia ‘Purple Sabre’.

    Much like making a cake, it is easy to follow a simple recipe for success using the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” principle.  Download our colourful cookbook of teamed planting ideas for pots and baskets.

    Jon’s Top Tip for Success
    Always use good quality compost as the growing media for your plants!  You get what you pay for and we recommend our own formula Coolings Professional Potting Compost.  A million award winning plants home-produced in it by us on our nursery every year is hopefully recommendation enough!