Premium Certified Organic Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer

• PROMOTES GROWTH: Discover a natural bio stimulant containing nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and growth hormones which promotes growth in all plants, boosting crops and the size of fruits and vegetables.
• CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Approved by the highly respected Organic Farmers and Growers association in the UK.
• COLD PRESSED: No heat or chemicals are added in production, protecting the quality of the virgin product.
• NATURAL BRITISH PRODUCT: Derived from pure Ascophyllum nodosum from the North Atlantic coast.
• WIDELY TRUSTED: Adored by professionals and amateur gardeners across the country. Find out why growers on TikTok and Instagram love this product.
• MULTIPURPOSE: Use it on absolutely everything, from lawns to vegetables, fruits to hedges, hanging baskets, trees, and houseplants.
• HARDENS PLANTS: Proven to boost the defences of plants with potassium (K) making them more tolerant of cold and drought and more resistant to pests.

• Pure virgin seaweed from the North Atlantic coast
• Cold press production with no heat added
• No nasty chemicals, supplements, or preservatives
• Approval from OF&G

The Bees of Notre-Dame
by Meghan P. Browne (Author), E. B. Goodale (Illustrator)

This is a beautiful story book about the bees of Notre-Dame.
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 – 8 years

This is one of those beautiful books you’ll enjoy even as an adult, pouring over the drawings, reading the words and stopping to pause at the page with the bees around a queen. The drawings are lovely, urban sketches of one of the world’s most famous buildings and their inhabitants.  The pictures of the fire have a Turner-esque feel to them and are very dramatic.
The inside covers have sketches of the overhead views before and after the fire.

Vive les abeilles!

The Bees of Notre-Dame

The Bees of Notre-Dame

Aff link.

A lovely book for young children aged 4-8.

EXCLUSIVE ONLINE DISCOUNT! – 20% OFF EVERYTHING At Thompson and Morgan! 

FOR THIS WEEKEND ONLY enjoy 20% OFF on all plants, bulbs and seeds & gardening equipment.

With no minimum spend, enjoy 20% off across our entire range including our flowers, plants, seeds, bulbs, shrubs, trees, fruit and vegetables & gardening equipment

Start date:

Friday 10th May 2024 00:00:01

End date:

Monday 13th May 2024 23:59:59

Top picks!

Alstroemeria ‘Summer Heat’

Cosmos atrosanguineus ‘Chocamocha’

Calibrachoa ‘Tiger Eye’

Lily ‘Pretty Woman’

Nerine bowdenii ‘Pink’

Heuchera ‘Mosaic’

Astrantia major ‘Moulin Rouge’

Alstroemeria ‘Tree Everest Mix’

Jasminum nudiflorum

Argyranthemum Aramis Collection

If your discount hasn’t applied simply enter order code TM_TAW269W into the promotion order code box within your shopping basket.

T&C’s for this offer:

Hurry, offer ends midnight, 13th May 2024. Discount applied in your basket. Use order code TM_TAW269W. Normal delivery charges apply.

This offer excludes all products in the special offers section in the shopping basket. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with promotional vouchers or any other promotional offer including all reader & advert offers. This offer is applicable to UK postcodes only. We are also unable to ship seeds or plants to EU countries and Northern Ireland.

Ten things you can do in the garden in May in the UK:

1. **Plant Summer Flowers:** May is the perfect time to plant summer-flowering bulbs and annuals like dahlias, geraniums, and petunias to add vibrant colors to your garden. Shop at Thompson and Morgan NOW – up to 70% off 

2. **Prune Spring Bloomers:** Trim back spring-flowering shrubs and bushes once they’ve finished blooming to encourage healthy growth for next year.

3. **Sow Vegetables:** Start sowing vegetables directly into the soil or in containers, including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and beans for a bountiful harvest later in the season.

4. **Weed Control:** Stay on top of weeds by regularly pulling them out before they have a chance to take over your garden beds.

5. **Feed and Mulch:** Apply a balanced fertilizer to your plants and top them off with a layer of mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and provide nutrients as they grow.

6. **Set Up Supports:** Install supports like stakes, trellises, and cages for climbing plants such as tomatoes, peas, and beans to help them grow upwards and save space.

7. **Attract Pollinators:** Plant nectar-rich flowers like lavender, cosmos, and marigolds to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden.

8. **Monitor Watering:** With warmer weather arriving, keep an eye on soil moisture levels and water your plants as needed, ensuring they receive adequate hydration without being overwatered.

9. **Start a Compost Pile:** Begin a compost pile or turn your existing one regularly to create nutrient-rich compost for your garden beds and potted plants.

10. **Plan for Summer:** Take some time to plan and prepare your garden for the upcoming summer months, considering any changes or additions you’d like to make to enhance its beauty and functionality.

What an amazing idea, Outdoor Bean Bags

Are you in search of the ultimate relaxation spot for your garden? Look no further than outdoor beanbags! Crafted for luxurious comfort, these beanbags mold to your body, offering unparalleled support and relaxation. Engineered with weatherproof and UV-resistant materials, they stand strong against nature’s elements, maintaining their color and shape come rain or shine. Their cottony softness not only ensures durability but also promises a blissful lounging experience, whether under the open sky or within the confines of your home. With their lightweight design, they’re effortlessly portable, making them the perfect addition to any outdoor space. Say hello to your new favorite summer companion!

beanbags for the garden

Items in this range include: Garden Water-Resistant Round Bean Bag Chair, Open Air Bean Bag Footstool, Outdoor Water-Resistant Giant Bean Bags with Carry Handle, Garden Water-Resistant High Back Bean Bags with Carry Handle, Open Air Water-Resistant Back and Neck Support Cushion

QR code for Gardenista!

I use old egg boxes for my own hens’s eggs, because I don’t sell them.

However as my new chickens start to lay I suspect we’re going to have too many eggs to eat so I’ve looked at Amazon and they have these egg boxes for sale

The pricing varies (Accurate as of 17th April 2024)  from 37p to 14p if you buy loads! Storage might be an issue for the large amount.

If you have 6 eggs a day you would need 365 boxes a year! 

30 Cartons £10.99  37p a carton

50 Cartons £15.49

100 Cartons £23.95

140 cartons £27.99

280 Cartons £47.99

560 Cartons £78.99  14p a carton

It’s often at this point in the year that you realise your shed isn’t going to last another year.  Felt can be replaced and walls patched, but there comes a time when you know a new shed is the best option.

BillyOh sell a massive range of sheds suitable for all gardens and allotments.

Your first thought has to be how big a shed do you want? If you’re on an allotment you might be restricted by the lease or tenancy in terms of what size you can have. A 6ft by 8ft shed is perfect for an allotment.
Then you need to decide if you want to have a window, and what sort of door you want. Then you can look at the options of having a pent roof,

Choosing between overlap and tongue and groove for a shed largely depends on your preferences, budget, and the desired aesthetic. Here’s a breakdown:

1. **Overlap Cladding**:
– **Pros**: Generally more affordable compared to tongue and groove. Offers good weather protection when installed correctly. It has a traditional rustic look, which some people prefer for sheds.
– **Cons**: Can be less durable and secure compared to tongue and groove. Over time, the overlapping boards may warp or allow water ingress if not maintained properly.

2. **Tongue and Groove Cladding**:
– **Pros**: Provides a tighter seal against the elements compared to overlap, making it more weather-resistant. Offers better structural integrity and durability. Often considered more visually appealing due to its smoother, seamless finish.
– **Cons**: Typically more expensive than overlap cladding. Requires more precise installation to ensure the tongue and groove joints fit snugly together.

Consider factors such as your budget, climate, desired aesthetic, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. If you’re in an area with harsh weather conditions, or if you prioritize durability and a more finished appearance, tongue and groove might be worth the investment. However, if cost is a significant factor or you prefer a more rustic look, overlap cladding could be the better option.

There are several types of roofs commonly used for garden sheds, each with its own advantages and considerations:

**Pent Roof**:
– This is a single-sloped roof that slopes downwards from one side to the other. It’s straightforward to build and is often used for modern or minimalist-style sheds. It’s also relatively easy to maintain.

**Gable Roof (or A-Frame)**:
– This is a classic triangular roof with two sloping sides that meet at a ridge in the middle. Gable roofs provide good water runoff and can offer more headroom inside the shed. They also provide extra storage space if you opt for a loft.

**Hip Roof**:
– A hip roof has slopes on all four sides, meeting at a ridge at the top. It’s more complex to construct but provides better stability in windy conditions and can be more aesthetically pleasing. It’s also a good option if you want to collect rainwater as it offers multiple drainage points.

**Gambrel Roof (or Barn-style Roof)**:
– This type of roof has two slopes on each side, with the lower slope being steeper and the upper slope less steep. Gambrel roofs provide extra headroom and storage space, resembling the roof of a barn.

**Mansard Roof**:
– Similar to the gambrel roof but with a shallower lower slope. Mansard roofs provide even more headroom and storage space compared to gambrel roofs but are more complex to build.

BillyOh for sheds

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/schools/teaching-resources.html

Based at South Kensington, London or Tring Hertfordshire.

Open daily 10.00-17.50
(last entry 17.30)
Closed 24-26 December

Lots of online resources for your class before they visit!

Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7)
Animal and human bodies
Dinosaurs and fossils
Habitats and food chains
Famous people

Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11)
Build the Change: Human Impact
Evolution and inheritance
Volcanoes and earthquakes
Life cycles, habitats and classification
Animals including humans
Science and scientists
Rocks, fossils and dinosaurs

Key stage 3 (ages 11-14)
Urban habitats
Climate change and biodiversity
Pollution
Tools for outdoor enquiry
Working scientifically
Actions for urban nature

Honey Bee Biology 

by Brian R. Johnson (Author), Thomas D. Seeley (Foreword)

The most comprehensive and up-to-date general reference book on honey bee biology

Honey bees are marvelously charismatic organisms with a long history of interaction with humans. They are vital to agriculture and serve as a model system for many basic questions in biology. This authoritative book provides an essential overview of honey bee biology, bringing established topics up to date while incorporating emerging areas of inquiry.

Honey Bee Biology covers everything from molecular genetics, development, and physiology to neurobiology, behavior, and pollination biology. Placing special attention on the important role of bees as pollinators in agricultural ecosystems, it incorporates the latest findings on pesticides, parasites, and pathogens. This incisive and wide-ranging book also sheds vital light on the possible causes of colony collapse disorder and the devastating honey bee losses we are witnessing today.

The study of honey bees has greatly expanded in recent years and there is more interest in these marvelous creatures than ever before. Honey Bee Biology is the first up-to-date general reference of its kind published in decades. It is a must-have resource for social insect biologists, scientifically savvy beekeepers, and any scientist interested in bees as a model system.

• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 512 pages

This book looks really interesting, it’s a hefty book too!
On my wish list!

You might inherit a wheelbarrow that’s rusty or falling to bits, or has a flat tyre!

Want to buy a new wheelbarrow?

Choosing the Right Wheelbarrow

Capacity: Consider the volume of the wheelbarrow to suit your material transportation needs without overloading it.

Material: Steel is durable but may rust, plastic/polyethylene is lightweight and easy to clean but less sturdy.

Wheel Type: Single wheels are maneuverable, dual wheels offer stability for heavier loads. Solid wheels won’t pop or rot!

Wheel Size: Larger wheels for rough terrain, smaller for flat surfaces. Pneumatic tires absorb shocks.

Handles: Look for ergonomic handles for comfort and ease of use.

Additional Features: Consider features like folding handles, tray supports, or tool holders for added convenience.

Budget: Determine your budget based on size, material, and features. Prioritize your needs.

Reviews and Recommendations: Research brands, read reviews for insights on durability and performance.

Warranty: Check the manufacturer’s warranty for confidence in quality and durability.

Evaluate your requirements to choose a wheelbarrow that best suits your gardening or construction projects.