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  • Bizzies are Back!

    Unlike most other bedding plants, bizzies delight in shade as well as the sun and create lovely colourful ground cover. Great companions with hostas and hydrangeas.

    For a full on statement effect, bizzies will always ‘WOW’ when planted on their own in pots or as part of a mixed arrangement of plants as they are hard to beat for continuous colour. Feed throughout the season with an all-purpose plant food (such as Miracle-Gro all purpose soluble plant food) to ensure flowering from early in the season until the first frosts.

    We will also continue to offer the larger growing New Guinea Impatiens which are also mildew resistant and available in packs and one litre pots!

     

  • Add Some Extra Magic to Your Garden by Growing Your Grey Matter With us at Coolings

    As many of you will know, here at Coolings we love nothing better than passing on our knowledge about plants and inspiring those with a love of gardening with new ideas and passions. We also encourage anyone who wants to expand their knowledge and interest to do so. It doesn’t have to be a massive commitment with formal exams at the end of it. Quite the opposite in fact.

    Maybe you are just starting out in the world of gardening and need to know the basics of how to garden or how to grow vegetables etc. Maybe you have been pottering around your garden for years and would just like to broaden your knowledge a little without the stress of taking exams at the end of it. You might be looking to undertake a new garden project/re-design and want to get some tips on Garden Design, or maybe, you just want to enjoy lots of days out to some of the finest gardens in the country with like-minded people who want to learn a bit more but primarily just want to have fun. Well, look no further, we can help! Have a look at what we can offer below:

    Exclusive to Coolings!
    Garden Horizons Plants: Their World-Wide Web

    A course that is exclusive to Coolings and is perfect for anyone who likes to visit fascinating gardens and is interested in how they came to be. There are 10 trips included on this course over the 30 weeks it runs for and you will cover a fascinating range of topics. It is suitable for anyone with a love of gardening, that wants to relax and have fun, learning in the company of fellow gardeners. No exams, no pressure, no requirement for any prior course attendance, just a passion to find out more and a love of visiting amazing gardens and places of horticultural interest! 3 hours a week.

    Full details here.

    How to be a Successful Gardener
    Want to know more about gardening but don’t know where to start? This is for you! 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.

    Full details here. 

    Exclusive to Coolings!
    Planting Design for Beginners
    This six-week course is perfect for anyone wanting to apply their ideas to paper. Knowing which plants to choose for your garden and how to place them can be a difficult process. You will learn about a wide range of plants and trees, design theories, planting styles as well as how to draw up planting plans to help you achieve the look you want.

    Full details here.

    RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture
    The title says it all. Unlike most of our other courses, this one is certified (by the Royal Horticultural Society and Coolings is an accredited provider) but don’t be put off by the formal name and exam at the end – you will be more than ready for it when the time comes. It’s important to point out that it is not necessary for you to know your hydrangea from your hibiscus when starting this course – we have people at all levels undertake this course including complete beginners. So, whether you are just starting out in gardening or you’ve been pottering around the garden for years and feel now is the right time to grow your grey matter a bit, then we’d love to have you join the class – you may even spot some Coolings employees on your course! 3 hours a week (over 2 years), morning, afternoon and evening classes available.

    Full details here. 

    RHS Level 2 Certificate in Practical Horticulture
    Similar to the Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture (above) but this one-year course has a more practical approach. The completion of the RHS L2 Certificate in the Principles of Horticulture AND the Certificate in Practical Horticulture entitles you to the RHS Level 2 Diploma.

    Full details here.

    New for 2019 and Exclusive to Coolings!
    Plants and Plantsmanship
    A great course for ‘plantaholics’ everywhere. A relaxed course suitable for anyone with a love of gardening that wants to increase their plant knowledge and get the best from the plants in their garden. Lots of information on where plants grow best, the top cultivars to choose and really useful growing and maintenance tips. 20 weeks only (2 hours a week).

    Full details here.

  • Oh Sow Easy!

    With so many grass seeds on the market there will be something for every garden, but the sheer amount of choice can often seem overwhelming. Don’t worry as we’ve got it all ‘sown’ up!

    When to Sow?
    The best time to sow seed is late spring and autumn, when the soil is warm and slightly damp. Don’t worry too much if you need to sow seed slightly earlier or later as there are mixes that have been specifically blended to cope with lower temperatures or drier conditions such as the larger seeds found in Any Time, who’s seeds germinate and grow in temperatures down to 3°C.

    Which Product?
    Maybe you have a tree casting shade over the lawn? Try Shady Place with its specially formulated dry or damp shade formula. Does your lawn have a busy life coping with budding footballers, cyclists or toddlers? Tuffgrass will be the one for you as it contains a stronger variety of grass seeds that are quick to establish and are hard wearing.

    Maybe you just want to sit back and enjoy looking at a luxuriously green lawn? If so try Luxury Lawn. It contains a seed mix blended to give a fine dense lawn, ideal for close mowing and those regimental stripes we all love. Alternatively, for those of you that don’t have time to devote to continuous mowing there is Quick Lawn. It has ‘Gromax’ applied to the seed which attracts beneficial bacteria to help the roots grow, and once established is more of a slow growing variety meaning less mowing more relaxing!

    Seed manufacturers are always looking at ways to improve their products’ germination and lawn quality. This means some seeds have been given a special coating of fertiliser to feed the seeds. Johnsons Lawn Thickener has a coating of both fast and slow release fertiliser to boost germination and help the roots establish more quickly. Many of you will have heard of Rootgrow, usually added to roots of shrubs and trees when transplanting into the garden.

    Empathy Supreme Green has added Rootgrow, coating the seeds so providing the benefits of Mycorhizzal fungi boosting the roots which enables better uptake of nutrients from the soil.

    Don’t let it all go to seed!
    So, you have scarified, sown seed, kept off the birds, watered continuously and finally have a beautiful looking lawn and are looking forward to sitting back in the sunshine and enjoying your hard work when out of the corner of your eye you spot…. a bare patch! Don’t panic you can quickly banish the blemish with Patch Magic from Miracle Gro. It includes their special formula of seed, feed and Coir, which means it needs less watering as the Coir soaks up moisture to release to the seeds in drier times.

    Although a dog may well be man’s best friend he is not necessarily your lawn’s! Miracle Gro have also developed Dog Spot Repair. It contains Gypsum which rebalances the soil after the high salt in Fido’s urine has caused the grass to burn, and will have your lawn looking flawless in no time.

    The dreaded moss! It loves shady, damp areas, nutrient poor and very short grass. The answer could lie in another product, After Moss. The seeds are coated in a Calcium Carbonate shell that gently raises the pH level of your soil to help deter the moss’s return.

    Once your lawn is growing, it will benefit from a feed. New Westland Safe Lawn, is a feed that is perfectly safe for children and pets. Promoting stronger growth to outcompete weeds and moss to limit their growth, it has ‘friendly’ bacteria which transforms dead leaves and moss into much needed nutrients.

    All we need now is a balmy sunny summer to show off and enjoy those luscious lawns. Fingers crossed!

  • Ship Shape, Moss Free Lawn…

    It’s spring again, wave goodbye to moss and say hello to a beautiful lawn…

    Springtime is the optimum time to prepare the lawn for the coming months. If you take good care of your lawn it will not only look good, it will become an extended living space (and feel lovely to walk on barefoot).

    It can be backbreaking work but if using one of the products from Viano, your back might thank you for it.

    Viano Mo Bacter, an organic lawn fertiliser that feeds the lawn for over 12 weeks and destroys moss without turning it black. It includes a little friendly bacteria that eats the moss. No moss to rake off as it’s all eaten! Mo Bacter can be applied from March to October.

    If the lawn looks terribly stressed due to drought, being too wet, dogs and/or children running riot or over scarifying, then Viano Recovery would be a better option. It helps the roots grow healthy and strong and that is the key to a good looking lawn. Recovery will feed the lawn for 100 days and can be applied from March to October.

    Also suitable for turf laying, it can be raked into the soil 4 to 10 days before laying or applied 8 weeks after laying.

    Another option is Viano Bio Lime.  Bio Lime will keep the lawn ‘sweet’ as it can become too acidic over time due to acid rain and long term fertiliser use. Bio Lime helps raise the pH levels, counter acting the acidity and creating a healthy growing environment. Best results are achieved if used in the autumn, but it can be applied from March to November.

    Scotts Evergreen Premium Plus Moss Remover Lawn Food, 200m at £39.99m² a bag is also a popular customer choice.  It’s organic based so doesn’t burn the lawn when applied correctly and will not stain paths, patios and concretd.  It increases soil fertility and has extra magnesium to give a strong green colour to your lawn.

    If you are familiar with traditional lawn care products don’t worry, we stock them as well with EverGreen Complete 4in1 360m² at £24.99

    Did you know?

    If you are a Coolings Family member you you can borrow a lawn drop or rotary spreader from us for FREE when you purchase lawn care product!  Ask in store for details*

    *Buy any lawn care product from us and borrow one of our Evergreen drop or rotary spreaders for free for up to two weeks.  All you need to do is leave us with a £30 deposit which you will get back at the end of your trial period.  If you decide to keep the spreader you will save £9.99 (Normally £39.99, but will be £29.99 for anyone making use of this trial period).  If you decide you do not want to keep the spreader simply return it to us and we will refund your £30 deposit.

  • Theatre in the Garden Events 2019

    Experience a lovely evening with us in Arthurs garden this year with our two fabulous Theatre in the Garden performances.

    These events have become very popular over the last few years.  They are the perfect way to spend a summer’s evening.  Bring chairs/blankets, picnic and drinks, nestle down and enjoy the show!  Coolings Family members remember you can also save 10% on ALL performances.

    Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

    We kick off on the 18th August with a brand new musical production of Frankenstein!

    Brilliant young student Viktor Frankenstein discovers how to endow dead organic matter with life itself. It is one thing to stitch together an anatomically complete organism, but quite another when it becomes a living, breathing creature that shows intelligence, feels torment – and demands answers of its creator. Viktor, disgusted by his creation and unable to face the consequences of bringing it into the world, escapes his claustrophobic university life to return home to Switzerland. But the Monster is not to be put off, and it relentlessly tracks him down. Jealous that Viktor is about to marry his childhood sweetheart and create life in a more conventional way, the Monster resolves to ransom him until a wife is created for him also….

    This brand-new musical production features a fully orchestrated musical score, a cast of professional actor singers, spectacular stage effects, puppetry – and flashes of the wickedly dark humour for which Illyria is justly celebrated. The show contains mature themes but is suitable for all ages 5+.

    Sunday 18th August 2019 at 6.00pm

    Adults £17.99 per person, Children 15 & under £5.99, Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £39.99

    To book this event click here

    (if you are a family member, remember to enter your family number in the ‘enter your promotional code’ section when selecting ticket numbers.  Your family number is the long number on the front of your family card).

     

    Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves!

    Performed by International award-wining Illyria.

    Young Ali Baba stumbles across an enchanted cave when he overhears the magic words that open it: “Open Sesame!”. Inside the cave he finds untold amounts of gold and jewels, and takes some of it home to show his wife. But what will he do when she chides him for stealing? Can he keep the secret from his jealous brother? And when the Robber King comes looking for the missing treasure supported by an army of 40 angry thieves – will he and his family survive?

    The show is notable for a scene where one of the characters polishes off most of the thieves – 37 to be precise, and you can count each one – with a cast of just five of the most hardworking actors in the business! llyria was the first company to tour children’s theatre on this scale in the open-air touring sector. Following their enormous successes, they are also regarded as the best.

    Now in their 28th season, they return with one of their most popular ever shows. Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves! is adapted from the One Thousand and One Nights (otherwise known as the Arabian Nights). Like all the stories in this towering literary classic it is packed with cliff-hangers, larger-than-life characters, and laughs galore. Plus, there’s lots and lots to join in with – and the most magical cave you’ve ever seen! Perfect summer fun for thieves and vagabonds aged 5+.

    Saturday 7th September 2019 6.00pm
    Adults £17.99 per person, Children 15 & under £5.99, Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £39.99

    To book this event please click here

    (if you are a family member, remember to enter your family number in the ‘enter your promotional code’ section when selecting ticket numbers.  Your family number is the long number on the front of your family card).

     

  • Hurrah for Hydrangeas

    Ideal in both sun and shade, hydrangeas are beautiful and versatile garden additions. This summer, Coolings will be celebrating these wonderful plants in all their forms at our Hydrangea Festival commencing on the 3rd of June 2019 and will run for several weeks to give all our customers an opportunity to see our huge selection of hydrangeas on show in the plant area.

    Lacecap and mophead hydrangeas are perfect for pots or planted in the garden. Remember acid soil (ericaceous) for blue and alkaline or neutral soil for pink. If your soil type limits your colour choice you can always use a colourant like Vitax Hydrangea Colourant 500g, £5.25 which will turn naturally pale pink varieties to blue and the darker pink varieties to mauve/blue. Our Royalty Collection is always very popular.

    Vitax Hydrangea Colourant 500g, £5.25

    Paniculata and arborescens hydrangeas make stunning garden additions. Flowering on this season’s growth they can be hard pruned in early spring. Cone shaped flowers for paniculatas and ball shaped flowers for arborescens varieties.

    Hydrangeas aspera ‘Villosa Group’ and quercifolia hydrangeas are grown for their attractive foliage and flower. They make an elegant statement towards the back of a shady border, particularly when planted with other hydrangeas.

    Climbing hydrangeas such as Hydrangea ‘Silver Lining’ are the ideal solution for covering a shady wall or fence.

    New for 2019! Stem flowering hydrangeas
    The Chelsea Flower Show plant of the year 2018, Hydrangea ‘Runaway Bride’, is an absolute must have.
    This NEW variety will flower all the way along the branches with dainty white blooms. Perfect for pots or in the garden, it also has beautiful golden autumn foliage. Easy to grow and a breeze to
    maintain. Pretty as a picture, this superb pedigree hydrangea will be your match made in heaven and is sure to be a huge hit at Coolings.

    Vitax Hydrangea feed 1kg, £5.99 Give your hydrangeas a boost with some feed to improve their health, quality and vitality.

    Be sure to visit our Hydrangea Fest June 3rd – 15th July 2019.

  • Coolings In Bloom 2019

    Want to take part?
    Entry to your local competition is completely FREE and on receipt of your entry we’ll even send you a £5 voucher to spend at Coolings to help you get started!
    You don’t need to be an experienced gardener and the feedback from judges is only ever constructive.  There are lots of categories to choose from so you might have a particular hanging basket or container that you are particularly proud of, or maybe you want to enter your whole front garden!
    Anyone can garden and this is just a little fun so have a go, you might just win something!
    Please click the link below to download the entry form for your area:
    Juding of entries will take place during the first two weeks in July, followed by an awards ceremony for prize winners on Saturday 27th July here at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre.

  • There’s Something Fishy Going On at Coolings

    After 35 years at their site in Chelsfield Village the family owned Koi Water Barn which was initially started by John Pitham, has moved to our site at Rushmore Hill Coolings following the sale of the Lilly’s Farm Site.

    If the idea of getting into koi keeping or water gardening is something you have thought about but need some help Koi Water Barn is the place to come so that they can help you achieve your dreams.

    The business is still owned by John’s son Tony Pitham, but he now spends his time between South Africa and Koi Water Barn Dubai, along with still visiting Japan to purchase koi for top end hobbyists, and for the shop. Since moving overseas the running of the business has been left to Keith Holmes.

    Their first Auction at Coolings will take place on Easter Sunday – 21st April 2019. 50 plus lots of koi of all sizes will be auctioned. Viewing from 10am. Auction from 12.30pm. Details of all lots will be posted on the Koi Water Barn website in the week leading up to the event.

    They are a very friendly team at the Barn so please come and see us next time you’re at Coolings.  Click here for more information on Koi and the team.

    Opening times 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm Sunday Tel: 01689 878 161
    Email: info@koiwaterbarn.com
    Website: www.koiwaterbarn.co.uk

  • On Trial: Lawn Feed

    Application
    We asked our testers to apply the feed using a Scotts EverGreen Drop Spreader and to apply the feed as per the bag instructions. The majority of our testers had not used a spreader before and all our testers found the spreader very easy to use, with only one tester having trouble with its assembly. All testers agreed that the spreader helped ensure a balanced distribution of the feed resulting in an even spread – preferable to the result when applied by hand. Those applying the Hygeia and Scotts products all said that they found the twice-yearly application much more appealing than products (such as Westland SafeLawn) that were necessary to apply every 3-4 weeks. However, applying Westland’s every 3-4 weeks was not raised as an issue by any of its testers. Average star rating for Scotts EverGreen Drop Spreader assembly and use: 5.

     

  • Fresh Inspirational Interiors

    Spring is often a key time of year to give a home a fresh look – the human nesting instinct in decorative form. Back in January, our Houseplant and Gift Buyer, Nicky Peto, flew out to Holland to handpick new season merchandise from the Dutch home interiors range (PTMD) that is now in stock here at Coolings. A beautiful collection of pots, glassware, candles, artificial glassware and other accessories that will bring plenty of inspiration to enhance the decoration of your home.

    Art Deco design in golden shades and metal tones are also very much a big trend for the season. Most of the PTMD products are handmade giving a truly unique and individual look as no two are the same. In some cases there may be only fifty of an item in the world. So, we have to be quick to select the best and bring it to Coolings. Indoor plants grouped together in some of the lovely pots and containers look good and make a personal statement. They are also beneficial to our wellbeing as many absorb the chemical elements found in our furnishings and cleaning products we use daily – they clean the air making for a much more healthy environment – every home should have a few houseplants for their beneficial properties.

    Cacti and Succulents are the on-trend house plants of the moment. Their popularity is owed to the fact they are easy to care for and not taking up too much room. They come in so many interesting shapes and forms which makes them a popular choice. Plant a few in a decorative pot or in a glass terrarium. Pots and terrariums planted up look really great grouped together.

    We’ve also added some beautiful pieces and soft furnishings from other carefully selected product ranges which have been exclusively found by us for you.  To show them all off we have displayed all the items in our NEW Inspirational Interiors selection that can be found as you walk out of the shop and down the ramp, turn left and head to the brick building on the left next to Hairy Hounds.  All the items on show are available to purchase.  Open Now!