Groves Nurseries

Plant of the Month for March Vinca

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Vinca minor is a very popular ground cover plant and is a smaller version of its vigorous relative the greater periwinkle.

Vinca minor’s leaves, flowers and growth rate are about two thirds those of Vinca major. This makes Vinca minor more suitable for a variety of uses.

It can be planted in smaller beds and borders, and is very useful in winter baskets and containers. It is also good at colonising poor, dry and slightly shady conditions. It’s creeping and arching stems soon make an attractive carpet of bright green foliage. The sky-blue flowers appear in spring and are very attractive set against the green leaves.

Vinca minor can also be used as under planting for shrubs, roses and any odd corner of the garden that requires some greenery to brighten it up.

Vinca will grow in most soil types but like most other plants, requires good drainage at all times.

It can even be grown as a substitute for grass under trees. Spring flowering bulbs like snowdrops and crocus can also be under-planted as companion plants to good effect.

We have Vinca for sale at our garden centre right now. You can find them in our pavilion, along with a whole range of other ground cover plants. If you would like more information about Vinca or any other plant please feel free to get in touch with Becky or any of here plant team here at the nursery. Either email us on hardyplants@grovesnurseries.co.uk or give us a call on 01308 422654.

Allotment Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:33:00 +0000

Today was my first visit to the allotment this year.
As you can see it’s all looking a bit overgrown
With the ‘help’ of my one year old (known as EMG) I attempted to clear the asparagus bed (the one at the top) so that we can cover it in manure. Unfortunately, I had to abandon ship halfway through clearing as EMG started to eat mud so I thought I’d better take her home for lunch. But it was good to get my hands dirty and be outside.

My jobs for the week are:

1)clear and mulch the asparagus bed

2)tidy the strawberry bed and cut off any offshoots
3) plant some broad beans.

I’ll leave clearing the large bed for the boys!! So watch this space and I will keep you posted on all that is happening on our plot.

Himalayas Trek in aid of Beating Bowel Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:52:00 +0000

Clive and Di Groves are off to Nepal to trek the Himalayas in March.

We will be starting our trek at Pokhara and will pass through thick rhododendron forest, rice terraces and picturesque villages before rising up to trek amongst the Annapurna range of mountains, home of the highest mountain peaks in the world.

This is a tough trek and we have chosen to do this for beating bowel cancer because we lost a very fit friend through this last year.

PLEASE DONATE HERE

Plant of the Month for February Camelia

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:23:00 +0000

Camellias are one of the best garden plants to use for adding real splash of colour in the dark winter months.

A wonderful plant to grow in the garden, or as a specimen in a container. They grow particularly well in a container provided the container is placed out of the early morning sun in frosty weather. They prefer acid soil, so use ericaceous compost if growing in a container.
Camellias are woodland plants and do best when planted in a sheltered or shady position. They can be grown in a more exposed position if watered carefully.

They can be grown quite succesfully in the open ground here in West Dorset they will just need treating with sequestrine granules once a year to stop thier leaves yellowing.

Camellias thrive in a free draining spot with plenty of humus in the surrounding soil. Mulching with leaf mould is very beneficial. Depending on the cultivar, you can have flowering from November through to April. The range of flower types and colours is vast, from light pinks to dark reds and stunning whites.

There are singles, doubles, and other flower forms available to suit your taste such as Camellia japonica, x williamsii,’Donation’, ‘Debbie’ and ‘Anticipation’.
Camellias grow well with other ericaceous plants such as Rhododendron, Pieris, and Enkianthu, deciduous and evergreen azaleas.

One of the biggest problems with camellias is probably that of sooty mould. This is a black fungus that grows on the leaves of camellias that is actually the by-product of sap sucking insects that excrete a sugary substance called “honeydew” onto the leaves. The fungus then feeds on the honeydew. If you find that your camellia becomes covered in this black substance (it looks like soot) then you need to treat it with an insecticide. Soapy water will do the trick or even better a systemic insecticide such as Provado Ultimate Bug Killer.

However whilst this will stop any more sooty mould being produced won't remove the mould that is already there. That I am afraid is down to a cloth and some soapy water. It will come off easy enough, it’s just a bit of a fiddle!

Planting Potatoes Using a Potato Planter

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:45:00 +0000

Our latest video is now live on our Youtube Channel.

Clive Groves is demonstrating how to plant potatoes using a potato planting tool. These are available on our website here

The planters are made locally in Dorset and hand produced. Made to an Old English design, this quality Potato Planting tool will save you time and back-ache. Crafted from steel, it is sturdy and hard-wearing. A pivoted opening cup allows hole penetration and planting to be done accurately and quickly. In fact, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one.

PLANTING A TREE FOR THE QUEEN’S JUBLIEE

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:19:00 +0000

Everyone loves trees, so if you are thinking of planting one, why not do it for the Queens Jubilee.

Here at Groves Nurseries and Garden Centre we have an absolutely fantastic selection of ornamental and fruit trees, including rare and unusual varieties.

How about something topical?

Betula ‘Snow Queen’ - a beautiful white stemmed Himalayan Birch.

Pictured here is Malus ‘Royal Beauty’ – a small weeping tree with copper red young leaves, deep pink flowers and small dark red fruit.

Or on a similar theme:

Prunus kanzan ‘Royal Burgundy’ – an upright tree with rich burgundy leaves and contrasting pink blossom, with the added bonus of the leaves turning scarlet red in Autumn.

Sorbus ‘Apricot Queen’ - a small ornamental Rowan tree with bright orange berries, will tolerate harsh conditions.

Maybe you live in Somerset, well there is a Maple called Acer rubrum ‘Somerset’ which has fantastic deep red Autumn colouring.

If you want to go the whole hog, why not plant a small orchard, this need not just be Apples. We have Cherries, Plums, Pears or how about a group of Cider Apples, alternatively create your own Nuttery using our range of Cobnuts, Hazel nuts, Walnuts and Chestnuts.

Ailanthus altissima - tree of heaven

So, as you can see the list is endless. There are trees for small gardens, trees for exposed areas, wet soils and so on, in fact you name it we will probably have a tree to fit your requirements. We even have trees to celebrate a marriage – Malus ‘Wedding Bouquet’.

Once planted your garden will feel like a little piece of Heaven, come to think of it we have that as well a tree called Ailanthus altissima commonly called ‘The Tree of Heaven’!

Go on celebrate the Queens Jubilee and plant a tree.

If you would like any further help choosing a tree or in fact any question about gardening, please feel free to get in touch with me or anyone at Groves either by e-mail hardyplants@grovesnurseries.co.uk or by calling 01308 422654

Kind regards
Steve Ward

The importance of eating Fruit & Veg.

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:52:00 +0000

We all read and hear in the news that it’s important to eat fresh fruit & Veg. Not only do they provide antioxidants to help prevent cancer but most are high alkaline forming foods which are great for overall health.

If we have too much acid in our system, we decrease the body’s ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients. Too much acid decreases energy production in cells and increase the risk of tumour cells thriving.

The problems we face today is that our diet consists of too many processed foods. We also eat acid producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy and not enough fruit & veg to even this imbalance out. We also eat acid producing processed foods such as flour, sugar and drink too much acid producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks.

To correct this we need to clean up the diet and lifestyle.
Generally, alkaline forming foods include: most fruits, green vegetables, peas, beans, lentils, spices, herbs, seasonings, and seeds and nuts.

To maintain health, the diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods.

Acid/Alkaline Food Chart

Our bodies are about 80% alkaline and 20% acidic. That’s a good reason to consume approximately 80% alkaline foods and 20% acidic foods. Realistically if you can maintain a ratio of 60% alkaline to 40% acidic food, this will be sufficient to give your body what it needs.

The pH scale goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Below 7 is acid and above 7 is alkaline.

It might seem like eating something at a pH of 6 isn’t that much different than eating something at a pH of 7, but pH is an exponential scale: every unit of change in pH equals a 10-fold increase. So the acidity of a food with a pH of 6 is ten times more acidic than that of a food with a pH of 7. A difference of 2 units (from 7 to 5) would mean that the acidity is 100 times greater. That means that Coca-Cola with pH 2 is 100,000 times more acidic than water (neutral pH of 7). Coffee with pH 4 is 1,000 times more acidic than water.

Pre-Order Christmas Tree & Save 10%. Delivery in Dorset

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:25:00 +0000

You can now pre-order your Christmas Tree for local delivery (+25 mile radius). Save 10% if you order before the end of November. Delivery only £1/Free over £50) Delivery will commence the first week of December. (Please specify if you want it delivered later)

On ordering your chosen Christmas tree, as soon as they arrive, our expert staff will ensure that your tree is pre-selected from the very best of the bunch and well in time for the festive period.

Should you wish to purchase your Christmas tree in-store from our Christmas Tree area, our staff will be more than willing to assist you in your selection and can also give advice on care and decoration.

We cover the Bridport area, Dorchester, Weymouth, Potland, Abbotsbury, Beaminster, Yeovil, Crewkerne, Axminister, Lyme Regis and Charmouth. We will give you a call to arrange delivery of your Christmas Tree.

Should you require any further information or have any specific requirements please do not hesitate to give us a call on (01308) 422654 before ordering your Christmas Tree.

Growing Grape Vines in Greenhouses

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 10:31:00 +0000

We have put together a quick video demonstration on how and where to grow Grape Vines in your Greenhouse. Growing your own grape vines is very satisfying and the fruits of your labour will last you many many years. If you are interested in purchasing indoor grape vines, please click here. We also have a wide selection of grape vines that are ready for outdoors. We have red, white and rose, dessert and wine making. We feel that this gives you a real choice, without baffling you with too many varieties.

How to Sow Violet Seed

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:25:00 +0000

As most of us know, the time to sow seed is in the spring months. However not many people know that the time to sow Violet Seed is now. This is because the seed needs to be stratified, this means they will need a period of cold after they have been sowed. Although you can sow them in other seasons using your fridge, this is the natural method. When you sow the seed, cover it lightly using a gritty compost to get a good drainage then cover with glass or polythene with air holes punched in. Make sure they are kept damp. The RHS also recommend that viola seed should be kept in the dark. For further instructions, see video below.

How to make good Cider in large quantities

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:01:00 +0000

First choose a blend of Apples to get the best taste.

Clean your apples thoroughly, cutting out any bruises or damaged parts. As a rule, it is not recommended to use any fruit for cider you would not eat as it is.

Cut your apples into quarters or use our fruit crusher to do this for you. Then press your apples through a straining bag using a cider press.

Store the cider juice in a sealed container below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for extended storage.

The trick to making cider and not vinegar is to FILL your container to the top with your pressed apple juice. If you only half fill that bucket you're going to get vinegar. Yeast need an anaerobic environment. So the more space - hence air - left in the container contributes to the vinegar taste. Co2 is heavier than oxygen and will eventually be purged through the valve at the top.

Choose a variety of apples, and process each separately, then combine the juice to sample different flavors and see the difference in the colors you may produce using golden, green, and red apples.

Just remember, Whatever the size of your container/bucket you must fill the container as close to the top as possible with your squeezed apple juice. If you do not do this, if you only half fill the container, and you will get vinegar instead of cider.

About our Fruit Presses
Groves are excited to bring our Cider Fruit Presses online and in-store (around 8th September). Our cider presses are capable of crushing everything from grapes, oranges, lemons, strawberries to large apples. Why not make some homebrew Wine from the Grapes or Cider from the Apples?

For large hard fruit such as apples, the fruit must be prepared pre crushing, so we recommend you buy the Aluminium 7 litre fruit crusher that fits onto all our presses.

The fruit press also comes with one free fruit straining bag that you insert into the main basket so the efficiency off the press is 100%. The straining bag will also help catch pips, seeds and other plant waste you don't want to find in your freshly pressed apple or fruit juice.

All fruit presses are beautifully made, with a heavy duty pressed steel base covered with a hard wearing enamel coating, a beech cage bound with enameled steel rings, a stainless steel spindle and cast iron press mechanism. Our presses range from 6 litres perfect for making juice in small quantities up to 75 litres for large quantities of juice/cider.

How to Light up your Garden on a budget - DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:47:00 +0000

Ever wanted to know how to light up your garden at an affordable price? Our DIY Techmar Garden lighting range is a perfect solution.

The Garden lights product range offers you a series of lighting products that can be easily and safely installed by everybody and without an electrician.

Each light is supplied with 2 meter cable with a watertight screw connector, which fits the connectors to the low voltage main cable. Our wall lights are supplied with 3 meter cable. It won't get any easier! All cables and transformers are supplied with these easy to use, watertight screw connectors.

Spotlights
To light certain details or features in the garden you can choose spotlights. These spotlights can be directed and are available in various models and materials. Most popular in this range is the Focus spotlights which delivers great lighting directed to your conveience

Deck Lights
Another way to illuminate certain features is to apply deck lights, fittings which illuminate details from a fixed position. (e.g. from the ground) We recoomend the Astrum white and blue lights in this range.

Driveway lighting
Straight standing lighting can be placed along pathways, on lawns and between plants. These models are available with halogen lamps, light bulbs and LED's. In this range we recommend our Vitex and Larix Lights

Wall lighting
Wall lighting is fitted with LED or halogen light source. Simple to fix to fences/walls etc. If you want a traditional look then look no further than are Lumo lights. If your looking for a modern light ,then our Olympia lights. Both would add a great source of lighting to your conservatory or outside area.

Under Water Lighting
A number of lighting products in our range are suited for permanent use under water. These models can be recognised by the IP68 logo and will be stated in the product description.

As well our lighting range, we also offer dusk/dawn sensor and the abilty to control your lights with a remote control. All available at a budget price that you can install on your own.

If you need any help with layout, or design, please email sales@grovesnurseries.co.uk and we will be pleased to help.

Plants at Groves

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:59:00 +0000

We have just updated our plant catalogue with an easy to use Index that has all the plants we have available (when in season/stock).

We have also expanded our online plants section that includes Herbs, Roses and are very popular Grape Vines and Violet Plants

The Violets and Herb plants are grown on-site and sent all around Europe. Clive has been growing Violets for the last 30 years and is a well known expert in this field. We hold the national collection of Violet Plants are we recommend them for your garden to add wonderful sent and colour. Clive has recently retired from administration which gives him more time to tend to his beloved violets with the help of Rodney and Barbara who also work in the Violet Nursery.

Since Little Groves Nursery opened back in 2007, Becky has been expertly growing Herbs and we now offer a wonderful array of common and unusual herb plants. Most of of which are great for cooking and aromatic use.

Grape Vines are also matured on our premises are mostly two year old plants and we have had some great feedback from them. Once planted, you should start getting your best crop from 3 years after planting.

Roses are only sent out bare root from late October but please feel free to contact us if you would like to pre-order. We do also stock many Roses throughout the year, so please get in touch as we can often make exceptions if the Rose is in stock.

Moment in Time Rose - Rose of the year 2012 (Pre-order for Nov 2011)

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:33:00 +0000

Launched at this year’s Hampton Court flower show this fabulous floribunda rose produces masses of red flowers on a neat, compact bush.

It is an extremely healthy with great disease resistance.

It only reaches 2’ in height making it great for both mixed borders and containers.

We love this rose because…

It has rich ruby red flowers have slightly scented flowers in abundance. These remain the same intense red colour from bud to mature flowers so increasing the overall impact of the plant.

PRE-ORDER MOMENT IN TIME ROSE

Furniture Special offers

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:57:00 +0000

Link here

Jaques Garden Games

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:07:00 +0000

Garden Games including Croquet ready for the nice sunny weather!

Useful Garden Links

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 24 May 2011 14:41:00 +0000

http://www.grovesnurseries.co.uk/about-us/useful-links.aspx

New Techmar Remote for Garden Lights

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:27:00 +0000

We have a new product for our garden lighting range. This Techmar remote allows you to control your garden lights from the comfort of your home and has a range of 40m

Get pruning this winter

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:10:00 +0000

With the Groves pruning masterclass taking place soon (on the 26th & 27th of February) it seemed appropriate to provide a bit of background information on the subject. If after reading this you are still not sure what you are doing, don't dispair, give us a call on 01308 422654 for some more information or even better call in and have a chat with one of our trained horticulturalists.

Many plants respond well to pruning. It’s a great way to rejuvenate tired and woody plants and is also essential for many plants to keep them producing fresh growth, new flowers and healthy foliage.

Prune roses by removing any dead and diseased stems. Open up the centre of the bush by removing any overgrown stems and any that are rubbing together. Always prune just above an outward facing bud, as this encourages the plant to grow out rather than in and creates a much better shape overall. An overcrowded bush is much more susceptible to pest and disease problems. Feed after pruning with Rose and Shrub Plant Food.

Many shrubs can be pruned in March. Dogwoods (Cornus) respond particularly well to hard pruning, as this encourages plenty of fresh coloured stems to develop. Spring flowering shrubs such as Forsythia, flowering currants, Weigela, Deutzia and early Clematis should all be pruned after flowering as they all actually flower on stems made last year. If you remove these mature stems before the flowers have opened you will stop the plants from flowering this season.

Plants that flower on this year’s stems should be pruned in early spring to encourage plenty of new growth and flowers this season, these include Roses, the butterfly bush (Buddleia), Hydrangea paniculata, and Caryopteris. Feed after pruning with Rose and Shrub Granular Plant Food.

Produced in association with Westland Garden Health

Feed your soul, man!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:42:00 +0000

If you thought that having an allotment was all about feeding your belly then think again, it can also be used to make you feel good too. Don’t you just hate it when it gets to those perfect summer months and the allotment has worked well, too well and you are trying to think of more and more interesting ways to use up those runner beans and cabbages? Well, if you are fed up with the usual summer glut of veg, why not put a little land aside for growing cut flowers?

This is a great time of year for buying bulbs that produce great cut flowers. Dahlias, Lilies and Gladioli are all available at the moment. They need to be protected from the frost so make sure that are well protected until things warm up a bit or you could start them off in a greenhouse.

Cut flowers from bulbs are actually dead simple, just make sure that the ground is well manured, again a perfect February job, and as the plants grow make sure that you have plenty of supports for the plants to keep those stems nice and straight.

If you get really keen you could always enter a few prize blooms into your local flower show! If you are after a few tips, come down to Groves and have a chat with our resident expert Cyril. He is a local judge for many of the flower shows in the Bridport area!

Bare Root Roses

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 15:25:00 +0000

All our Roses are available to buy online. We have just received a new styled rose catalogue from the printers. This year it is illustrated with colour photos including on the front cover, the ‘Rose Of The Year’ ‘Joie de Vivre’ , a lovely, very double, pale pink, scented, floribunda rose.

Other lovely roses are ‘Chandos Beauty’ a subtle white and pink. ‘Birthday Girl’ an apple blossom colour, and bright tangerine coloured ‘Irish Eyes’ (they must have been on the Guinness)

Each year, Mr & Mrs Clive Groves travel to Hampton Court Flower Show, where they make for the Rose Pavilion to choose the very best of the latest and traditional varieties, these are then sourced from our wholesale rose growers and are available the following season from the Garden Centre and on line.

Roses provide wonderful value in the garden, flowering from the end of May until November.

Still time for Seed Potatoes

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:08:00 +0000

Buy your seed potatoes as early as possible to avoid disappointment but don't put them in the ground until Jack frost has gone on his summer hols!!!! You can however get them started indoors, especially useful for first earlies to get a good early crop. Place the seed potatoes in a seed tray or egg box with the rose end (That's the blunt end with the most eyes). Give them maximum exposure to light but protect from frost. A good chit should be firm and green and not be easily knocked off

Movember Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:48:00 +0000

Day one of Movember. While most of us our coming to work proud of our one days growth this morning Cyril has come to work WITHOUT his trademark moustache. For the first time in 38 years he has shaven his upper lip much to the dismay of his wife. So come on and give a little money to help Cyril grow back that ‘tache.

Donate online http://uk.movember.com/mospace/595854/ or even better visit us in person and put some money in the collection pots at the tills.

Pre Campaign Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:51:00 +0000

Our Movember campaign is soon to get underway.

This morning the group of brave men that will be taking part in the hairy lip campaign all had their photos taken for the press.

The rules of the campaign state that everybody must be clean shaven on the 31st of October, no beards or goaties allowed. The keen eyed of you out there may have noticed Cyril (5th from right) with his moustache. Don’t worry, he will be clean shaven on the 31st October, no mean feat as he has been growing his moustache for 38 years, not even his wife has seen him without one!

Be sure to check back here soon where we will be updating regularly with stories of the moustache growing madness.

Feel the urge to show your support & donate??

Please go to our official Mospace page http://uk.movember.com/mospace/595854/

Keep up to date with this and everything that is going on at Groves by following us on twitter & facebook

Christmas Lights

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:12:00 +0000

We now have our full range of Christmas lights online and in-store