Three flowers, three ways of remembering the Great War: the French Bleuet, the British Poppy and the German Vergissmeinnicht. Each of these flowers became the symbol of a nation’s remembrance towards its veterans. The cornflower: Nickname of the French soldiers coming back from the trenches of the Great War wearing their new uniform bleu horizon, [...]
Ash dieback affects ash trees and is caused by fungus. It blocks the water transport systems in trees causing leaf loss, lesions in the wood and on the bark and ultimately the dieback of the crown of the tree. This disease was first described in Poland in 1992 and has since swept westwards throughout Europe. It [...]
Before pumpkins were popular for Halloween, kids carved turnips and the large, orange roots of mangold. So, when you are choosing Halloween garden plants to include in your festivities, pick those as well. In yesteryear, Halloween traditions had more to do with divining the future than they do today. Garden plants and fruits used for [...]
§ Continue to clear leaves from lawns to avoid brown patches; collect up the leaves in leaf mould bags or pile them onto the compost to create lovely mulch for next year’s borders. Rake them up, then mow over to chop, then gather them up – this will make their conversion to leaf [...]
'Brooks Gardening Ltd are an Epsom based company covering all your garden needs. With over 10 years’ experience, fully qualified staff and an excellent reputation - our Checkatrade will bear testament to this. We undertake all aspects of gardening including hedge cutting, turfing, decking, fencing, general maintenance and clearance. Free, no obligation quotations as standard.' [...]
Create a new lawn from turf or seed - autumn weather is favourable for good lawn establishment. Raise the height of your mower blades as grass growth slows down. Now is a good time to carry out essential lawn maintenance to avoid waterlogging and compaction. Try aerating your lawn with a garden fork, removing thatch from the surface with a rake and [...]
This tree is easily recognised by its longer slender pointed buds . When the tree produces a crop of nuts collect some, wrap them in a duster , and press them with a rolling pin until the duster oozes with oil . Then rub it on your furniture don't be alarmed if your furniture turns [...]
Plant Narcissi, crocuses, Spanish and English irises snowdrops, muscari ,scillas and also most lilies. Sow grass seeds. Grass seed will germinate well enough at any time in September ,though , other things being suitable sooner it can be sown the better Take cuttings of evergreen shrubs. Many hardy evergreen shrubs can be propagated quite readily [...]
Meet the latest member of the Brooks Gardening team Isabella, Jolyon and Victoria's daughter. It will be a while before you find her gardening as she is not yet a year old.
While working in a local garden recently we found a Roman coin! We took it to the local museum and it is a coin of Constantius II and dates from between 337 AD and 361 AD. The coin has very little value and has been returned to the gardens owner.
