March on..!

Well it’s certainly been a proper winter this year, we have of yet had very little dry or warm days and the chances of getting into the garden have been very slim. However don’t lose heart as the season will soon kick off as the temperature goes up. Here at the garden centre we’re stocking up in preparation of the coming good weather. March is traditionally a time when many seeds start to be sown, seed potatoes get chitted, onion sets get planted and borders are prepared. We are carrying a superb selection of onion sets with all your favourites such as Sturon, Stuttgart and Red Barron. We have first, second and main crop seed potatoes available with all the classic varieties in stock.

Because of the weather the garden will be lacking a bit colour, spring bedding plants are the answer with the vibrant colours of Primroses, Pansy’s and Violas. For a more lasting colour our Plant area is in the process of being freshly stocked with a great selection of hardy Trees, Shrubs, Conifers, Fruit and Climber to suit any garden situation. For further helpful advice and information why not pop in and see us as we will always be delighted to help you with all your gardening needs.

Happy gardening....!

February Forecast..!

Well what a month January was, I don’t think anyone could have predicted the levels of snow and frost we had been subjected to. This weather has obviously put the garden on hold with conditions completely unworkable. However a harsh winter normally brings a good spring and although February may be cold there should be plenty of dry days to get the garden moving. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to get going.

The first task to undertake is to prepare the ground for new planting and dig in plenty of organic matter into your beds in the form of compost and manure. This will help supply plants with vital nutrients and improve the structure of the soil which will in turn help rooting. When finished if you’re not ready to plant, black polythene can be laid over the bare ground to help dry the soil and warm it up to help plants get off to a quick start.

Towards the end of the month pruning is important on many summer flowering shrubs, roses and heathers as this helps the plants to bush out, bulk up and give a stunning show in the summer to come. It is also a good time to cut back last year’s faded foliage on all your herbaceous plants to make room for new growth coming through. Here at Mayshade we try to cater for all your garden needs and help you get ready for any task you’re going to undertake, so you know where to come!

Happy gardening..!

January Jobs...!

After a difficult financial year and the gloom cast by the recession things are finally starting to look as though it is on the up. We’re into a new year for you and your garden and I for one am optimistic about the year ahead. After the Christmas period and the cold dark nights of winter I’m almost chomping at the bit to get my hands back into the soil. However a wee bit of patience is needed as the chances are the weather will be frosty and wet through most of the month. Don’t despair though, as there are many other essential January jobs that need to be taken care of to set you up for the coming season.

Januarys is a good month to get all our garden tools and machinery up to scratch. Lawn mower blades may need sharpened or balanced, spades and forks might need cleaned. It may even be the case that new tools will be needed as some are beyond repair. If this is the case here at Mayshade Garden Centre we have a great selection of tools available and we are more than happy to advise you with the correct tool to use. At this time of year we also can't forget about the birds. It is important to keep those bird feeders full as the natural supply starts to run low. At the garden centre we have, seeds, nuts, feeders, bird tables and loads more items which will tempt the wildlife into your garden.

Happy gardening..!

Seasons Greeting..!

Well December is upon us once again and I don’t know how you feel but to me it’s been a mighty quick year and it certainly doesn’t look like it going to slow down in the run up to Christmas. So if you need a change of pace and help to lighten the load this festive period we’re definitely the place to come.

Here at the garden centre we like to make sure we are geared up to help you have that calm and special Christmas that you deserve. We have everything you need from gifts to decorations and trees to light with a huge selection available. So for a Merrier Christmas and all your garden needs there’s only one place to come!

On behalf of everyone here at Mayshade I would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy Gardening New Year.

Don’t get fleeced by… November!

November can be a difficult month to get into the garden as the darker nights set in and the wind and rain never seem to be far away. However it is still important to try and get into the garden when you can as the last of those important jobs for the year still need to be undertaken before winter really sets in. Perennials can be divided, tools can be cleaned and sharpened, borders can be mulched and tender plants can be fleeced or moved under cover for frost protection.

Many people are under a false impression that you can’t plant at this time of year but that couldn’t be further from the truth. As long as the ground is not frozen or waterlogged, all manner of plants can be put in such as; roses, shrubs, trees, herbaceous, fruit and hedging plants. It’s also not to late to get some colour in before winter as here at the garden centre we still have a superb range of winter bedding in stock. But be quick as stock won’t last long..! So for all your gardening needs you know where to come.

Happy gardening..!

October’s Genuine 25% off plant sale..!

We’re now well into autumn and the trees and shrubs are a glow with autumnal colour. Don’t be fooled by the cool air setting in and those darker nights there’s still plenty of jobs to get done before the winter sets in. By the end of this month you should have you spring flowering bulbs planted ready for early colour. This month is also a great month to change your summer baskets and window boxes with winter flowering bedding such as; pansies, violas, wallflower and primroses. So why not take advantage of our stunning annual sale and receive a huge 25% off all your plant purchases for the entire month of October..! (Sale excludes soft fruit and fruit trees).

October is the time of year to get the best selection of soft and top-fruit and here at Mayshade we have a full range available. Also this month we will be receiving the first selection of the early lifted new season’s roses and root wrapped hedging. So for all your garden needs and advice why not come and see us to take advantage of our knowledgeable staff and stunning sale!

Happy gardening..!

Splendour September..!

It’s hard to believe but that’s us in to autumn already, what a quick year it has been so far. I’m sure you have all done a lot a work in the garden and have hopefully reaped the fruits of your labours with a splendid display. However the hard work isn’t over yet..! But don’t fear as here at Mayshade we do our best to have all the stock you need to make light work of all those autumn garden tasks.

Autumn is a period for tidying up, for putting things to rights and preparing for the coming winter. The Lawn is important at this time of year as you need to prepare it for the harsh winter and coming season. These tasks include; scarifying (removing thatch and moss), feeding & weeding, moss killing, aeriation & top-dressing. Another important task for the autumn is to get your spring flowering bulbs into your pots and borders. This is best done with an overplanting of autumn bedding, which we have huge selection available. Autumn is also the time to get the best selection fruit trees with; apples, pears, plums, cherries and many other available.

There are lots of other tasks which can be undertaken this month but if I kept going the list would be exhaustive. So why not pop along to the garden centre and we’ll be more than happy to give you all the gardening advice you require.

Happy gardening..!