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Gardening Inspiration

Homegrown Plants

The Whitegates Team

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Whitegates Nursery

<p>There are many different <strong>Sunflowers</strong> varieties available in colours you might not be expecting. Find out more.</p>

<p>Knowing <strong>how to grow Sunflowers</strong> will mean you can have giant, beautiful sunflowers bringing so much joy to your garden every year. They are easy to grow and, therefore, great to grow with kids in the garden, but they are perfect for pollinators, and you can even harvest the seeds to sow the following year. Why not compete between your friends to see who can grow the tallest Sunflower or even the most unusual. There are many different varieties available in colours you might not be expecting.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Sow and care guide to growing Sunflowers&nbsp;</h2>
<p>As you would expect, Sunflowers need plenty of suns! As they grow, you will notice how they turn towards the sun absorbing the rays. You can sow seeds in modules or small pots during early spring protected from frosts or wait and plant them directly in the ground where they will grow when all frosts have passed. Keep the soil moist, and you should see good germination rates. The stems can get tall fast and start to curl or lay down if they aren’t supported, so use a small cane and gently replace it with something more sturdy as they grow taller. Some will support themselves, but in strong winds, they can fall. They are very easy to grow, keep them watered, especially in dry spells and enjoy their sunny faces.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How to grow different varieties of Sunflowers</h2>
<p>Many varieties aren’t all yellow. The bright yellow is the most traditional, but you can also try orange, black and even pink! Some Sunflowers have been bred to grow in a pot and will only reach a couple of feet tall, whereas other giant varieties can easily reach 15ft. Some of our favourites and most popular are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sunflower ‘Titan’</li>
<li>Sunflower ‘American Giant’</li>
<li>Sunflower ‘Little Becka’&nbsp;</li>
<li>Sunflower ‘Teddy Bear’</li>
<li>Sunflower ‘Moulin Rouge’&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Growing Sunflowers and how to use them</h2>
<p>Sunflowers are edible from roasting the entire Sunflower head with some oil drizzled over to roasting just the seeds or sprinkling them on food. Sunflower petals are lovely in salads, and the tiny shoots can be grown as microgreens to add to soups, smoothies and stews.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Encourage wildlife by growing Sunflowers</h2>
<p>The prominent seedheads are a magnet for bees. You will often find more than one bee sharing the nectar at the same time. You’ll see ladybirds and butterflies and many winter birds feasting on the seeds if you leave seedbeds on over the winter period for winter interest.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Choose your perfect Sunflowers to grow with our range of seeds in store.&nbsp;</p>

How to grow Sunflowers

<p>It is great to get creative with vertical spaces and use every part of the garden, patio or balcony to make it your very own <strong>small space</strong>, a plant-filled haven.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With so many <strong>ideas for small gardens</strong>, you can still grow an abundance of fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and have all of the accessories and fun of a more extensive garden. There is no need to feel restricted by space because many plants grow well in containers - even some fruit trees. It is great to get creative with vertical spaces and use every part of the garden, patio or balcony to make it your very own small space, a plant-filled haven.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Growing in pots, containers and hanging baskets</h2>
<p>The go-to for smaller spaces may be to grow a container garden. This is particularly good for patios and balconies or tricky spots. We recommend grouping containers with taller pots and bigger plants at the back and annual or trailing plants towards the front like in a border. The great thing about this is you can shuffle them around and replant annuals for each season, so your container garden always has some interest. Don’t forget to use hanging baskets to grow fruit and vegetables. Strawberries and tumbling tomatoes will look great and provide you with some products.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Ideas for small gardens with vertical space&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Why not create your own green wall? There are hangers with pockets that you can line up together and plant with herbs and your favourite plants to build a green fence perfect for you and wildlife. You can also recycle guttering and layer them along walls or fences to grow salads in. There are many different types of containers or pots that will hang on fence panels and balcony railings to use every space you can. You could also try growing in a vertical growing tower filled with lots of salads and greenery.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Furniture and accessory ideas for small gardens&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Big furniture in small spaces can take up too much room, so a smaller patio or bistro set or table and chairs or a bench will fit in perfectly. Why not hang up some solar-powered lights as well to bring some evening glow to the garden and open up the space. Other furniture could include fitted benches around the edges with storage underneath or a swinging egg chair placed in a sunny corner.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Ideas for small gardens that may surprise you&nbsp;</h2>
<p>One way to make your space look bigger is to use a mirror. Not only can they look incredible, but they really open up the space. Light colours will also open up a space, so a light-coloured fence or wall paint will help. If you really want to entertain and have a BBQ but there is nowhere to store it afterwards, try a fitted BBQ or even a small pizza oven. The options are endless!&nbsp;</p>
<p>Create a thriving small space with plants, furniture and accessories when you visit us in store.&nbsp;</p>

Ideas for small gardens

<p>Help your <strong>kids develop green fingers with these fun gardening activities</strong>!</p>

<p>Gardening is great for children, letting them learn about nature and their environment while developing practical skills. Help your <strong>kids develop green fingers with these fun gardening activities</strong>!</p>
<h2>Garden activities for children</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<p>Sunflowers are spectacular and easy to grow from seed, and children will enjoy seeing whose sunflower will grow the tallest. For really tall sunflowers, sow Sunflower ‘Mammoth’, ‘High Hopes’ or ‘Tall Timbers’.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Plant seed potatoes. This needs a bit of patience as they take at least three months before they’re ready to harvest, but in the meantime, kids can keep watching for shoots to appear and earthing up the plants, plus there’s all the fun of digging up the potatoes later on.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Sow fast-growing seeds in the shape of your child’s initials so that they can enjoy the effect when the seedlings appear. Radishes and salad leaves are quick to germinate and can be left to grow for a tasty harvest.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Track your garden snails. Go out in the evening armed with a bucket and a bottle of correction fluid or nail polish and gather all the snails you can find. Mark the shells with correction fluid or nail polish, then dispose of the snails somewhere outside your garden. Over the next few days, watch to see whether any of your snails return.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Small children love to water plants. Please give them a small watering can or make one out of a plastic bottle with holes poked into the lid. Just keep an eye on things to make sure no plants get drowned by over-enthusiastic watering!</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Get the kids onto pest control duty, wiping aphids off plants and picking cabbage white caterpillars off brassicas. It’s a great way to learn about bugs and the garden's ecosystem.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make a seed bomb. You’ll need powdered clay from a craft shop, wildflower seeds, and peat-free compost. Mix 1 cup of seeds, 5 cups of compost and 2-3 cups of clay powder. Add water gradually, mixing the ingredients until they stick together. Roll the mixture into balls and leave them to dry. Once the seed bombs are dry, you can all have fun throwing them where you want your wildflowers to sprout up!</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make cress heads. Wash out empty yoghurt pots, remove the labels and paint faces onto the pots. Fill the pots with damp cotton wool, scatter cress seeds over the top of the cotton wool and gently press them down. Place the pots on a sunny windowsill. The cress ‘hair’ will appear in a few days and can be snipped off to add to sandwiches or scattered over soups.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Make a log pile. Gather any stray logs and twigs in your garden and pile them up in some dappled shade. Keep an eye on the pile over the year, and you should be able to spot beetles, woodlice and other wildlife making their homes there.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Visit our centre and get the whole family gardening with our fantastic range of garden tools, seeds and plants. It’s a great day out!</p>

9 fun garden activities for kids

<p>This <strong>how-to grow herbs indoors</strong> <strong>advice</strong> will ensure you get the best from your herbs for the longest harvesting period you can and help to keep your herbs looking fresh and thriving indoors.</p>

<p>This <strong>how-to grow herbs indoors</strong> <strong>advice</strong> will ensure you get the best from your herbs for the longest harvesting period you can and help to keep your herbs looking fresh and thriving indoors. Growing herbs inside is both great if you have little or no space outside but also if you want to be able to harvest herbs as and when you are cooking without heading out into the garden every time, having some growing on the kitchen windowsill can be very convenient.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Which herbs to grow indoors</h2>
<p>We would always recommend that you choose the herbs you are most likely to use first. If you love chives on a salad start growing chives, or if you love to top your pizza with basil, start growing it so you can use it as much as you like. Then consider which will grow inside. There are very many herbs available that will grow indoors, however, there are a few that may not grow so well but it is still possible. They include sage, rosemary and thyme. Those that will grow really well inside are:</p>
<ul>
<li>parsley,</li>
<li>coriander,</li>
<li>mint,</li>
<li>oregano,</li>
<li>chervil.</li>
</ul>
<p>Just give any herb a try and see how it grows.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Care tips for growing herbs indoors</h2>
<p>The key to growing herbs indoors is to know what each herb prefers in order to thrive. Most will do well on a sunny kitchen windowsill and some will need more water than others. Basil for example only needs to be watered when the soil is dry and the leaves have slightly started to wilt - that's the sign it's time. Others such as rosemary will need less water. All, however, will need well-drained soil and good air circulation. Don’t forget to use the herbs. Harvesting them will help new growth and more herbs to harvest.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Use your own grown herbs</h2>
<p>One of the best things about growing herbs is to benefit from all of the nutrition and flavour they give. From rosemary on a roast dinner to coriander on a curry, oregano in a bolognese and mint made into a cup of herbal tea. The options are endless and you can just snip some off each time you need to.</p>
<h2>How to&nbsp;propagate herbs</h2>
<p>Herbs are generally very easy to propagate. Rosemary can be propagated by cuttings and basil and mint can be propagated by simply snipping some stems and popping them in water. It’s great to see the roots growing and when they are strong enough plant them up for more herb plants. Others such as coriander or even chamomile can be allowed to go to seed and you can collect the seeds to sow all over again.&nbsp;</p>
<p>We have a large range of herbs in store and our friendly team are happy to advise you.&nbsp;</p>

How to grow herbs indoors

<p>There are a few good options for getting<strong>&nbsp;rid of green algae in the garden</strong>. Here's how to deal with it.</p>

<p>There are a few good options for getting<strong>&nbsp;rid of green algae in the garden</strong>. Green algae plus moss and liverworts can appear just about anywhere in a garden, from ponds to pots and soil to lawns. Many are perfectly harmless and, in fact, very good for the environment, but there will also be times you would prefer to clean them away to make space, to clear pond water or remove it from soil, stones and pavement or decking. The growth of green algae is generally due to damp and shady conditions on surfaces, or if it’s in a pond, it’ll be due to an imbalance of nitrates and phosphate. There are plenty of ways to deal with it.</p>
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<h2>A natural way to get rid of green algae in the garden</h2>
<ul>
<li>If you are ready to put in some work, grab a stiff bristle brush and mix some dish soap, water and bicarbonate of soda.</li>
<li>Once applied to patios and paving, give them a really good scrub. It’s pretty surprising how clean it will come up, and it will look as good as new!</li>
<li>You can also use this method on pots, containers and decking, but if your brush is stiff and you are working on wood, test it first so you don’t scratch the surface too hard.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Other ways to get rid of green algae in the garden&nbsp;</h2>
<p>You can buy many products off the shelf that can be applied to green algae, which will vanish very quickly. Ensure the products you are purchasing are safe for wildlife, pets and children. Many are diluted with water, sprinkled over the affected area and then left to work their magic. Others can be used with a pressure washer or a stiff scrubbing brush.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Get rid of green algae in the garden pond</h2>
<p>Pictures of lovely clear ponds are only half of the story! Most ponds, at some point, will get some green algae. There are various factors from too much sun to not enough fish and not an imbalance of plants. Green algae can be helped by putting some barley straw in small bales, using pond clearing substances/water treatment that can be bought in store. Ultimately, it’s about a good balance of oxygenators, marginal and other pond plants to bring balance naturally. Keep it clear of leaves and other debris, and add some fish. If you have fish, feed them with good quality fish food that won’t affect the water balance.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For pond care, plants, accessories, and advice, visits us in store and make sure your pond thrives.&nbsp;</p>

Gardening Inspiration

Cafe

Homegrown Plants

The Whitegates Team

Family friendly

Whitegates Nursery

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