Get your garden shipshape this autumn

Posted by & filed under Garden Maintenance.

Autumn is a great time for gardeners to lay the foundations for springtime success.

A little bit of effort before the first frost goes a long way to protecting your garden and keeping it in tip top condition.

Really it could be seen as a spring clean for your garden, it’s just the opposite season!

 

Lawn care in autumn

For many people lucky enough to have the space, a lawn is the centrepiece of the garden. While you will be happy to say goodbye to the summertime routine of mowing, there are a few tasks to be done that will help to leave your lawn in good condition.

Try to squeeze in a final mow before the end of October to tidy up the grass before it gets too wet, but leave a bit of length.

Clearing the lawn of debris, such as leaves, is also an important task as this will help to ensure light can reach the lawn, and it will help to avoid patches of dead grass and moss.

Specialist autumn fertilizers can also be sprinkled on the grass to help nourish and protect lawns over the colder months as growth stays low.

On the move

Autumn is also the time for a reshuffle should you being unhappy with the locations of any plants. While the ground is still warm enough, carefully dig them up and move them to their ideal spot.

Complement any changes with cutting back dead branches and foliage to prevent decay and make sure everything is in tip-top condition before hanging up your secateurs for the winter.

Delicate plants will also need extra protection through winter so carefully lift these without damaging the roots and store in dry sand over the winter.

Add a good layer of compost, leaf mulch or bark to borders to help protect plants through the cold weather.

Plant ahead

Many spring-flowering species need to be planted by the end of autumn, so plan ahead for what you want to be looking at in the spring. Daffodils and hyacinths need to go in as soon as possible, while favourites such as alliums, lilies and tulips also need planting in autumn.

If you are concerned about the state of your lawn – or need an extra hand to stay on top of maintenance – get in touch with Gardenbusters today.

Barking up the wrong tree? What species are best suited to gardens?

Posted by & filed under Latest News.

Trees are a fantastic addition to gardens – they bring privacy, interest and wildlife, but not all species are ideal for smaller gardens. Such is the powerful nature of trees that planting the right species can even help to control garden problems, particularly if you have clay soil or drainage issues.

Some trees, however, need space to breathe and, more importantly, grow – sometimes to epic proportions. With this in mind it always makes sense to do your research before investing, and to check out what is in your garden should you move house.

Popular garden trees

Japanese Maples (Acers) – These trees are available in lots of smaller sizes. Beautiful to look at, they boast fantastic autumn colours. 

Crab Apple – These trees have it all – fruit, beautiful spring blossom and can help with clay soil.

Amelanchier – These also help with clay soil and have displays of blossom in spring, as well as colour in autumn.

Cherry Blossom – A real favourite in many households for their impressive blossom, these make a great centrepiece. Although make sure to plant in an area where there is room for their roots.

Eucalyptus – Hardy and easy to care for, Eucalyptus make a good choice  – but stick to the smaller variety.

Problematic garden trees

Leyland cypress – These grow at an impressive rate and are incredibly thirsty. Although they make a great boundary they can leave patches of dead grass and block light from your garden.

Poplar – These are also fast-growing, thirsty plants that put down strong roots. Planted near to a building they can cause subsidence issues.

Oak – We all know what size these can grow to, but aside from that their shallow roots can grow rapidly becoming a problem for nearby buildings.

Ash – Beloved by many as a native, healing tree, be very careful that you have enough space to accommodate these fast-growing trees – and enough time to maintain them.

Obviously if you are lucky enough to have a huge garden that resembles a field in size, go for it and enjoy having the freedom to choose.

If, on the other hand, space is at a premium and you have a tree that is causing problems for you or your neighbours contact Garden Busters for advice.

Don’t be defeated by tree stumps – call in the experts

Posted by & filed under Latest News, Tree Work.

Have you been left stumped by how to get over the final hurdle to clearing a patch of your garden?

Maybe you’ve moved into a new house and want to make a few changes, or you could have decided it’s time to tackle a long-ignored part of the garden. However, grand plans to overhaul parts of the garden or put in a new path can often hit a bump when it comes to the problem of dealing with tree stumps.

Gardeners can be left surprised by the size of tree stumps left behind when attempting to remove shrubs, trees and bushes. It doesn’t matter how deep you dig, your efforts are quite likely only to be rewarded with a snapped garden spade and backache.

Getting to the root of the problem, tree stumps are quite often just too tough to prise out by strength and determination alone, and are too deep to be tackled with a saw or axe – instead these times call for expert help.

Solutions to large root mass and tree stumps

While naysayers may tell you there is nothing that can be done to get rid of large tree stumps, Garden Busters can help you to prove them wrong. Specialist machinery that is surprisingly easy to move around will work beneath ground level to grind up stumps allowing you to make use of the area.

Equipped with a sharp blade, stump grinders cut through troublesome tree stumps turning them into sawdust that can then be removed from the garden. This leaves a hole that can be used to plant an alternative – or clears the way to lay a pathway or patio.

Don’t listen to anyone who says there is no solution for dealing with deep-rooted stumps, contact Garden Busters to find out how we can help you to realise your garden ambitions.

Let the light in: Keep conifers trim to keep everyone happy

Posted by & filed under Garden Maintenance.

An Englishman’s home is his castle, so goes the saying, and for many years the outer boundary of that castle was quite often protected by a line of conifers.

Green, lush, and, by and large, impossible to see through, conifers stood to attention at the end of gardens across the country. But something happened to make conifers fall out of fashion somewhat. Was it just a change in taste or was there more to it?

Why do people have a problem with conifers?

The main problem with conifers is the next-door neighbour’s experience. By doing exactly what they have been installed to do, conifers draw the ire of other householders.

So, while they grow tall and strong and are solid, it is these virtues that are a problem to adjoining houses, who see their space being encroached upon by trees they do not own, and, even worse, that block their light.

As well as blocking much sought-after sunlight from other people’s gardens, conifers hit gardeners’ plants with a double-whammy being incredibly thirsty plants that drain nutrients and water from the soil.

This can be a problem at the house the conifers are planted at just as much as in adjoining gardens, with patches of brown grass left near to the trees.

Conifers also need regularly trimming to keep them in good shape – and to stop them growing out of control. For neighbours who inherit this task it is particularly onerous.

How high is too high?

High hedge legislation kicks in at six-and-a-half feet, so it is essential to regularly get your trees trimmed. Neighbours can ask the council to intervene if they feel reasonable requests to maintain trees have been ignored.

With this in mind it is imperative to keep your trees tidy and at a reasonable height. Rather than let this become a struggle, take expert advice and employ a tree surgeon to keep on top of your conifers.

Don’t let maintenance take away your enjoyment of your garden – or your neighbour’s.

Contact Garden busters for help in managing out of control evergreens.

 

Japanese Knotweed: The anti-social menace

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

You know the type – the one that sneaks up out of nowhere, starts throwing their weight around, too tough to take in hand and then casts a shadow on everything, yes we’re talking about Japanese Knotweed.

The ecological bully, Japanese Knotweed lies in wait underground over the winter months, then as summer approaches and gardeners await the colours of the season it springs up, laying its tough roots across flower beds, gardens and even bursting through paving, walls and floorboards if left to spread.

This weed is a serious tough cookie, in fact Japanese Knotweed is so difficult to control it is included in anti-social behaviour laws.  If nature dealt out anti-social behaviour orders this weed would be subject to some serious banning orders.

As it is lawmakers have taken steps to protect property owners from the reaches of Japanese Knotweed’s grasping roots.  Owing to its potential to damage buildings and kill native plants, environmental authorities have the right to access property where owners have failed to tackle a Japanese Knotweed outbreak – they can also face a fine if they fail to adhere to an order to control the weed.

Why is Japanese Knotweed such a problem?

With its tall canes and decorative leaves, Japanese Knotweed does not fit the traditional image of a garden weed and was introduced to the UK as a decorative plant in the late 1800s. However, appearances can be deceptive. Japanese Knotweed:

  • Grows aggressively from even the smallest root
  • Can grow through tarmac and concrete – including buildings and roads
  • Overwhelms other garden plants
  • Can harm the eco-system by pushing out other plant species
  • Can affect the value of a property

What can be done to tackle Japanese Knotweed?

In case you are panicking, it is not illegal to grow Japanese Knotweed. Gardeners must, however, take responsibility for keeping it under control. To do this, gardeners need to display great vigilance.

In the event of discovering Japanese Knotweed on your property the most sensible course of action is to call in professional gardening and weed-killing specialists, such as Gardenbusters.

Outbreaks of Japanese Knotweed can be treated with chemical weedkillers, to ensure the plant does not return this may require repeat treatments.

Japanese Knotweed can also be physically removed, but with roots stretching as far down as three metres and covering wide areas this is no easy task.

In both instances, treatment with either herbicides or physical removal, it is important that no part of the plant remains in the area and that parts of the plant do not splinter off as the smallest piece of Japanese Knotweed can take root to spark another outbreak.

Specialists may also recommend stem injection, burning or burying the weed. Whatever method is used, the plant must be disposed of according to strict regulations to prevent further spread of Japanese Knotweed.

Don’t let this ant-social menace affect your property, take Japanese Knotweed in hand by calling in the experts today – contact Gardenbusters for a free quote.

When to Call a Tree Surgeon

Posted by & filed under Tree Work.

Cutting down a tree or its branches is not an easy thing to do. Sawing tree limbs is one thing, but sawing them safely and ensuring the tree will stay alive is another thing. Most people are not aware of the safest ways to cut down a tree to the ground so that is why you need to call a tree surgeon. Tree surgeons are also known by the term ‘arborists’ and they specialise in tree-cutting and have good knowledge about the health of trees.

If you have an old tree in your garden that looks in a bad shape, the best thing to do is call an arborist to take a look at it. The arborist will make an evaluation of the tree and its roots and will suggest different solutions. Tree roots require regular watering, but there has to be good water drainage so that the tree does not get too much water and causes the tree roots to rot. Additionally, good mulching will keep the soil moist so it can keep all nutrients for the tree during the hot summer months.

A skilled arborist can recognise the potential symptoms of tree disease and will know how the branches grow after cutting. Arborists are trained to recognise which places on the branch should be pruned in order to encourage new growth. Proper pruning will ensure the tree gets a strong structure that can withstand all kinds of weather conditions.

A few things to consider when you look for an arborist is whether they have appropriate insurance in place, do they have quality equipment and know how to safely use it, and are they members of some professional organisation which guarantees they follow highest standards in their work. If they can say yes to all the above and this checks out, then you should get a professional and safe job.

If you need help with the trees in your garden and need expert help, please get in touch.

Why you should remove a tree stump

Posted by & filed under Latest News.

If you are using the help of a tree removal service, it is very likely that you will have to make a decision about the removal of the tree stump as well.

So, prior to the arrival of the tree removal expert you should also think about the tree stump that will be left. If are not sure whether you should remove it or not, consider the following:

  1. Stumps ruin the look of your garden

Let’s be honest, tree stumps are unattractive and they will ruin the aesthetic appeal of your garden. If you enjoy being in your garden, then unwanted tree stumps will be a continual annoyance to you.

  1. Stumps are dangerous

Another thing that you should take into consideration is the risk these stumps bring. They are especially hazardous to children. If they are playing in the garden they can easily trip over the stump and hurt themselves. Keep in mind that you could be held responsible for any accident involving a tree stump and potentially be held liable if you are sued because of an injury.  Also, when maintaining your garden, you can also easily forget that they are there and damage your lawn mower in the process.

  1. Stumps support growth of new trees

It is not unusual to notice new sprouts coming from stumps. As a result, you will sometimes witness the growth of a few small trees in the vicinity of the stump. Once again this can aesthetically damage the look of your garden and even if you cut the new sprouts, they will grow again after a while.

  1. Stumps are wasting your space

This is a huge problem especially for those who have small gardens. There are some big stumps with huge roots that can cover a relatively large area in a small garden. This will potentially stop you from utilising the garden the way you want to.

  1. Stumps attract bugs

If you leave a stump or a few stumps in your garden, this part of the tree will keep rotting for a while. During this process, it will become a perfect spot for termites, beetles, and other bugs.

To organise the removal of tree stumps in your garden, please contact us now.

 

 

 

Low Maintenance Garden Ideas

Posted by & filed under Garden Maintenance.

Keeping your garden neat and organised is a time consuming and difficult job. Ordinary gardening activities like weeding, watering, pruning and mowing require a lot of effort and time. This is difficult for many people especially for the elderly and for people with busy working lives. By using low maintenance garden ideas, you can reduce the time spent on these activities and still enjoy the beauty of your garden. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

 

Simple can be beautiful too

Who says that your garden needs to have complex features to look attractive? If you want to reduce your time spent on maintenance, go for a minimal look. For instance, avoid high maintenance ponds or planting many different kinds of flowers and plants. Keep things simple and plant hardy perennials which will come back every year, without too much effort on your behalf.

Focus on low maintenance plants

While we are talking about plants, it’s worth mentioning that there are some that don’t really need much care and attention to flourish. Primrose, lavender, rosemary, and periwinkle are some great plants like this that you can grow in sunny areas of the garden. For areas that are mostly covered in shade, you can use ferns, euphorbia, snowdrops and hellebore.

Mulching

Mulching is a must because it enables you to keep the ideal level of moisture in the soil which ultimately means that you don’t have to water your garden so frequently. In addition, mulching prevents the appearance of weeds. Your garden soil, or its health and texture to be more precise, will benefit from mulching too.

Reduce watering time

If you want to reduce watering time, you can always install an automated watering system. Just set the time when you want your garden to be watered and that’s all you need to do.

Reduce the number of containers

It’s also a smart move to reduce the number of containers and increase the number of plants grown on beddings. The reason is simple – container plants are very needy – they need more watering, more fertilisers and repotting. Bedding plants don’t.

 

For more low maintenance ideas, please get in touch.

3 of the most common problems with trees

Posted by & filed under Garden Maintenance, Latest News.

Trees, just like any other plant, can experience problems. If you have trees in your garden, then it’s a good idea to inspect them from time to see if it’s in good condition. In this article, we take a look at three of the most common problems with trees in the UK (and around the world).
 

  1. Honey fungus

This is a common perennial issue which requires removal of both the tree and the stump. The good news is that you won’t have to remove the surrounding plants because it is very likely that they will remain unaffected. This specific fungus gets inside the tree through wounds. In most cases, it causes problems in trees that are highly susceptible. If you want to find out whether your tree has this disease, check a part of the root by removing the bark carefully. If you notice a white creamy sheet of mycelium and you smell a scent that reminds you of mushrooms above the woody tissues and right under the bark, then your tree is affected by honey fungus. There are some trees that don’t experience honey fungus issues including cercis, catalpas, beeches and oaks.

  1. Aphid attack

If you notice darkening foliage and dieback in your coniferous hedge or leylandii, it is probably experiencing an aphid attack. It is not recommended to cut parts of the tree. In most cases, cut hedges lead to a worse situation than the ones treated to a single cut.

  1. Powdery mildew

This issue is typical for the summer period, especially when it comes to catalpas, maples, and oaks. There are many different reasons why powdery mildew occurs and some of these reasons are closely related to specific plants. However, the most common causes of this problem are inadequate air circulation and dryness especially at the roots of the tree. Staying away from feeds rich in nitrogen and mulching should solve the issue.

If the trees in your garden are suffering with problems and you’re not sure what the issue is, then please get in touch. We would be happy to help.

 

How to prevent winter damage to trees and shrubs

Posted by & filed under Garden Maintenance.

Wet, cold and windy weather can cause significant damage to shrubs, trees and different garden structures like a trellis for example. By enhancing shelter, mulching, staking plants, re-arranging plants, you should be able to keep your plants and garden safe.

Many people use protective coverings to keep their plants safe. These coverings are perfect for sheltered areas. However, in very cold and open areas, even the strongest plants will probably need further protection to avoid damage. Pot plants and evergreen plants belong to the risk category, so take special care of these plants during winter.

Gardening-Maintenance-UK

You should use protective coverings and wrappings when you notice the first frosts. You should also start changing your cultivation practices from late summer in order to prepare the plants for these changes. This protection with the help of cultivation includes many different practices. First of all, homeowners must avoid the use of fertilisers packed with nitrogen during autumn and winter. Next, they should also cover the soil. Greater soil exposure can lead to leaching of important nutrients. As we have already mentioned, plants can be kept safe from low temperatures by wrapping. There is special horticultural fleece for this purpose. It’s also a good idea to shelter the plant in a protected spot.

Of course, there are other measures that every garden enthusiast can use. For example, prior to the beginning of winter, you can inspect the structures in the garden and reattach or replace damaged or loose roofs, panels, fences and posts. There are some great solid fences on the market that can protect against the wind. You can also use windbreaks which are perfect for windy and cold spots. If you are looking for a temporary solution you can also use netting or woven hurdles.

For more advice about protecting your garden this winter, please contact us now.