Can Gardening Help With Mental Health?

Mental Health, a topic that is generally avoided, but gradually becoming one that people are more open about. So, let’s think about mental health and whether gardening can help us.

If you struggle with any form of mental health, you will likely notice that it can become a challenge to head outside. This is where gardening can come into play. When you put your mind into the gardening mode, you will find that it becomes easier for you to get outside. By doing this, you are taking your mind away from whatever is bothering you, as well as giving you some much needed fresh air and vitamin D.

Gardening will have a huge impact on your mental health. It will help to boost your mood and help you to feel calmer bust by getting outside with nature. So yes, gardening can help with your mental health, and it should be something that is considered.

Amaryllis Bulbs

Amaryllis bulbs are a favourite in the gardening world. A bulb that is super easy to grow, as well as one that will continue to re-bloom following years. But what do you need to do to care for your amaryllis bulbs during planting, growing and deadheading?

Planting Amaryllis Bulbs

More often than not, amaryllis bulbs will be planted into a pot. This is the best option for your bulb as it allows you to choose if you want it indoors or outdoors, as well as allowing you to give your bulbs the best growing condition.

When you are planting your bulbs, you want to ensure you are planting them into a good potting soil mix. This soil will give your amaryllis bulbs the right nutrients to promote their growth. When planting, ensure you are planting the bulb pointed end facing upright, this is where your plant will sprout from but remember you need approximately 1/3 of the bulb above the soil. Tightly pack your bulb with soil and you are ready to go.

Caring For Amaryllis Bulbs

Once your bulbs have been planted correctly, it is time to care for them. You will need to be patient, on average it will take amaryllis bulbs 6-8 weeks to bloom, some can take up to 10weeks! But, the care you give them needs to be maintained.

Amaryllis bulbs are no different to any other plant. They require water and sunlight. That being said, caring for your bulbs will be easy. Place them in an area with direct sunlight and water them regularly. This should be maintained until your plant begins to wilt.

You may wish to install wooden stakes to act as a support for your growing bulbs.

Bloom Life of Amaryllis Bulbs

The time we have all been waiting for, 6-8 weeks after planting your amaryllis bulbs they have started blooming.

The life of blooming amaryllis can vary from person to person. Most commonly people leave their amaryllis in the pot they were planted in until they wilt away.

But, as an alternative, amaryllis is an amazing plant to be used as cut flowers. Sometimes you can find that using these bulbs as a cut plant will allow them to last up to 2 weeks longer! So, why not cut some of your bulbs and have a beautiful amaryllis centrepiece.

The End of Amaryllis Bulbs

Like every plant, there will, unfortunately, be an end of your amaryllis bulbs. There will become a time where your amaryllis bulbs wilt away.

When their heads being to drop, it is time to cut them back. Ideally, you want to cut the flower stalk back to within 1 inch of the top of your bulb. You will then need to continue watering your bulbs and feeding them with plant fertiliser. Doing this successfully means you should see your amaryllis bulbs bloom again the following year. Whilst their first life may have ended, you can look forward to them blooming again the next year.

Gardening, The Most Relaxing Hobby of All

Gardening is one of the most relaxing hobbies of all time. But, why is this such a relaxing hobby to get into?

One of the main reasons why we find gardening to be a relaxing hobby is because you are out with nature. The sounds of nature are known to be extremely calming, so it is no wonder why people feel relaxed when gardening.

Gardening can also be seen as a relaxing hobby as it is full of creativity. Unlike other hobbies, in gardening there is no right or wrong, it is all down to your own creativity.

The only stressful part with gardening is caring for the flowers when they have been planted. But this can be fairly simple, as long as you keep on top of this care plan you should always find this to be a relaxing time.

So, gardening is a relaxing hobby, will you be taking part in this hobby?

Preparing Your Garden For Winter

The winter months are fast approaching in the United Kingdom and your garden care should not stop just because it’s getting cooler. So, today we are going to share with you some ways that you can prepare your garden for the winter months.

Clear Debris
Before the winter months are here, you want to head out to your garden and remove any debris from your garden, especially your lawn. If you leave debris to sit on your lawn throughout the winter months it is unlikely to rot away. It is also more likely to cause your lawn to be killed off, meaning you will have bald patches of grass that you need to sort the following year. The best way to keep your lawn healthy is to remove any debris.

Clean Your Tools
You should think ahead and clean your gardening tools during the winter months. This is the perfect time to clean your tools as it is very unlikely that you will be using these until the following spring. Cleaning your tools during the winter means you will have one less job to worry about when springtime comes around and you are wanting to work in your garden.

Review Your Plants
Before the winter months come around you want to head out into your garden and review what plants you have growing. By this we mean look at what flowers and crops are growing in your garden currently. Some of these will not survive the cold winter months, therefore it will be best if you pot these and bring them indoors or put them into your greenhouse. This is the best way to have your plants to survive the winter months.

These are just a few things you can do to help your garden during and leading up to the winter months. There is no reason to forget about your garden during this time, it still needs caring for.

Getting Your Garden Ready For Autumn Wildlife

The autumnal time of year is the time of year when your garden may well become home for the hedgehogs and other wildlife, so we must help to provide them with sufficient warmth, safety, and food to see out the cold winter ahead.

You may feel like ripping up all those tired plants and raking the grass of all the fallen leaves, but these areas can provide warmth and shelter to insects and small animals as well as providing an area for hibernation during the winter months.

Butterflies this time of year enter the dormant stage and butterflies such as the peacock butterfly may be found still on the walls of your house. Heating can confuse and wake butterflies, therefore it is a good idea if you find them in your home, to carefully move them to an outbuilding. If they wake too early they will die.

If you wish to sweep your lawn of the fallen leaves, gather them into a pile and leave them in an area of your garden for the hedgehogs and other wildlife to shelter.

Keeping your bird feeder topped up at this time of year is also beneficial to the birds. During the coming months as the temperature drops, the natural berries in hedges die off, so birds will start to emerge to your bird feeder to gain energy and fat for the winter months ahead.

Clearing out any nesting boxes you have and cleaning them with boiling water will help kill parasites. Ensure they are firmly attached and repair any parts they may need repairing.

Toads like to shelter under piles of bricks whereas frogs are more likely found in piles of leaves during colder months.

Ladybirds gather in large numbers on dead plants in sheltered parts of gardens. So what may appears to be a scruffy garden will in fact be the perfect haven for wildlife over the coming winter months.

Planting the Best Variety of Autumn Bulbs

Autumn is an important time in the gardening calendar. It is a time when there should be a great deal of planning going on, ready for the spring season and the abundance of growth that comes with this season. Planting the correct autumn bulbs can help to brighten things up later on in the year, making the spring a beautiful time. They can be planted in borders or containers depending on the type of bulb, and will make a visual spectacle of a garden, courtyard or balcony. Getting the balance right and making sure there will be colour and interest throughout the year is very important.

Some bulbs are typically associated with the autumn while others may seem a little more unusual. These are some of the autumn bulbs that can be planted to add colour, interest and variety throughout the seasons:

  • Tulips. There is so much that can be done with tulips – despite their iconic shape, there are many, many varieties. They can bring a range of colours and heights to the garden in the springtime, so there is plenty of choice.
  • Hyacinths. These are one of the most recognisable of spring flowers that will grow after autumn planting. They come in different shades of pink, purple and cream and they can be planted in borders or containers.
  • Daffodils. These bulbs should be planted in the autumn so that they are ready for the spring time. Daffodils are synonymous with the change of seasons and are often one of the earliest types of bulb to flower. Their brightness and charming yellow shades rings in a new season with beauty and style.
  • Alliums. The tall and distinctive allium is a very different shape and size to many of the other bulbs that will grow from autumn planting. They can be used to add interest and character in a garden and they come in many different shades.
  • Anemones. If longevity is important, the anemone is one of the best options around. This is a longer flowering bulb that can be planted in the autumn to grow flowers of many different colours.
  • Crocus. This is an iconic flower with a goblet shape, and they come in a variety of radiant colours. They are best planted in a border and they can be naturalised if larger areas of flowers are preferred.
  • Fritillaria. It is very important to grow bulbs that will suit the specific conditions that can be provided in any one space. Fritillaria are happy growing in lightly shaded conditions amongst other plants and flowers. They can be grown in pots as well as naturalised.
  • Muscari. These might also be known as grape hyacinth and are usually a dark blue colour. They can be grown successfully in borders and are a delicate, attractive type of flower that adds interest.
  • Amaryllis. These bulbs will usually be sent out during the later autumn months and they can be cultivated in the home to flower during the winter and over Christmas instead of the spring if preferred.

How To Stop Cats Ruining My Flower Beds

Cats, an animal that make a great family pet, but can cause issues in not only your garden but everybody’s gardens! With them seeing lovely designed flowerbeds as huge litter trays! So, what are some of the ways we can prevent cats from ruining our flowerbeds?

Firstly consider planting lavender in your flower beds. This is known to deter cats away from gardens due to the smell. And with it being quite bushy, there will not be much room left for them.

Another smell that cats don’t like is coffee. Mix in ground coffee into your soil will help to prevent cats from seeing your flowerbeds as a litter tray. They will no longer be able to distinguish their own smell in your area so should retreat to their own garden.

Finally, orange peels. Again, these have a strong scent that will deter cats away from your garden. Place these under the soil to deter them away. Just be aware that these will need replacing often as the scent does not last.

Flowers To Add Colour To My Garden

When you look out onto your garden, it is likely that you see a lot of green and brown. The natural colours that are massively found in wildlife. But sometimes we just want to add some more colour to our garden. Having more bright colours that will attract more wildlife and bring happiness to your garden.

So, what are some of the best flowers to add colour to your garden?

Tulips
One of the most common plants to add to your garden that is known for being extremely colourful is Tulips. These flowers come in a large variety of colours, meaning your garden will never be short of colour. Another benefit to tulips is that they are bulbs, meaning they will likely regrow every year.

Viola
These are a beautiful yellow flower that will be able to add a splash of colour to your winter garden. They are known to be frost tolerant so will be able to last through the winter months, unlike most other colourful plants.

Lavender
Lavender is another popular flower to add to gardens to add a beautiful splash of colour. They are a beautiful purple colour that is known to last all year round. Another benefit to Lavender is they will not only add this beautiful colour to your garden, but they will also add a gorgeous natural smell to your area. They are also known to be excellent cat deterrents.

Sunflowers
Finally, sunflowers. As the name would suggest these are plants that love the sun and will bloom in the summer. They also look like the flower version of our beautiful sun. Being a large flower in a beautiful yellow colour. You will be adding a lovely splash of yellow to your garden!

So, if you want to add a splash of beautiful colour to your garden, consider some of these follower choices.

Topsoil or Compost – Which Is Best For My Garden?

Choosing between compost and topsoil can be difficult, especially if you are new to the gardening world. While both of these seem to be the same they are slightly different in very minor ways.

Topsoil is mainly useful when you are planting directly into your garden soil. It will add depth and improve the quality of the soil you are planting beneath your turf. Topsoil is also much better at retaining its shape, meaning you will not end with a mess all over your garden. It also holds moisture that is much needed for your plant’s growth, helping to improve its growth.

While topsoil may seem like the best option, there is one main scenario when compost may be better for you. This is why you are planting your flowers into plant pots. Compost brings with it extra nutrients that potted plants will be lacking if topsoil is used. It is possible to mix both topsoil and compost to make your own potting compost that will combine the benefits of both.

Buying Pots For My Garden

For some gardeners, we do not wish to change the way the ground of our garden looks, but we still want to add a splash of colour somehow. The best way to do this is by having pots around your garden, where you can then plant flowers, small trees, shrubs and other plants. But what do you need to consider when buying pots for your garden?

Price Point
One of the most important aspects to consider when buying pots for your garden is the price point. You should create yourself a budget and stick to it as surprisingly pots can become very expensive.

Size Limits
You will also need to know exactly where you want to place your pots in your garden. Taking measurements of this area so you know the ideal and maximum pot size. You do not want to spend loads of money for the pot to then not fit in the desired location.

Remember Soil
Another aspect that you need to remember when purchasing pots for your garden is soil or compost. You will need to fill your pots with something before you can begin planting in them. Now, soil and compost can both be fairly expensive, so you should consider the price of these as well as the pots within your budget. A larger pot will cost more to fill.

Colour Schemes
Now, pots can come in a range of different colours and styles. We recommend that you do lots of research into different pots and don’t just buy the first you see. Consider the colour scheme you are after as not all will look right with every kind of flower or plant.

These are the top four aspects you need to consider when purchasing pots for your garden. Always have a budget for yourself to stick to as pots can quickly become a very expensive purchase.

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