Author: Antonio Pachowko

Pansies in Pots- Creating a Simple Display

In this article, we will be discussing how to create a stunning, simple display of pansies in a pot for spring. If you grow your own spring bedding plants from seed, such as wallflowers, stocks, violas and Bell’s daisies, you can plant up containers in autumn, after the summer annuals are past their best.

If you do this and you leave them outside then protect the plants within from strong winds and the container from freezing frosts or becoming waterlogged. This is to prevent the roots from rotting.

In this article, we will be describing how to create a spring …

Growing Shrubs in Containers Suitable for the Shade

In this article, we will be talking about what shrubs can be grown in containers that will do well in the shade. We all know that growing plants in the shade can be problematic as plants, in general, do not do as well as if it is grown in full sun. I have in the past talked about plants that can be grown in containers in the shade, but in this article, I want to concentrate on what shrubs can brighten up shady areas, as a feature specimen.

You are limited to what can be grown but this does …

Vitax Plant Guard Concentrate- Is it Effective for your Plants?

Name of Product: Vitax Plant Guard Organic.

The Best Place to Buy: www. amazon.co.uk

Available as a 250ml concentrate or diluted ready for use in a spray bottle of 750ml

My Score: 8/10

In this article, we will be reviewing a newish product that came out last year and this is Vitax Plant Guard Concentrate. We will find out if it is effective in the garden on what it claims to do and what it actually does.

If you have been hanging around my website for a while you will know that I talk about fungicides and insecticides a lot. …

Sticky Insect Fly Traps-Are they Effective in the Garden and Home?

Name of Product:  24 Pack Dual Fungus Gnat Trap Sticky in Flower Shaped for Plant Fly like Fungus Gnats, Aphids, Whiteflies, Leafminers.

The Best Place to Buy: www.amazon.co.uk

What you get is 24 pieces of Dual-sided traps, 10 Piece of wire ties and 4 support poles. Each trap has a diameter of 12 cm.

 My Score: 9.5/10

In this article, we will be seeing if these dual sticky insect traps are effective in the garden and also in protecting your houseplants. If you have been following my website for a while you know that I have reviewed a lot of …

How to Look After and Care for New Houseplants

In this article, we will be discussing how to care for your newly purchased houseplant. It is a sad fact and not too uncommon for newly, bought houseplants to die within the first few weeks of being brought into a new, unfamiliar home.

The good news is that most of these plants fatalities can be avoided if care is practised in the selection of good, stock plants from reliable suppliers and stockists and sensible precaution are taken to protect them from temperature extreme when you take them home. To avoid this, you must be vigilant, so it is advised that …

Houseplants for Welcome Indoor Scent

In this article, we will be discussing what houseplants can be grown in the home to give welcome scent.  Often when we want to give scent to our homes, we use artificial means of air fresheners, potpourri, or air purifiers, but there are houseplants that can fulfil the air with such pleasant odours that you wonder what you did before you bought one.

Houseplants, unlike the other means, introduce natural ways of introducing smell to the home and they often look beautiful as well. You are not only adding scent to the home but you are also adding something that …

Creative Festive Winter Containers

In this article, we will be discussing how to create festive winter containers. As the months are passing very quickly and the festive season is soon upon us, then it is time to think about what containers can be made up to provide Christmas cheer.

In this brief article, we will discover how to make a colourful container display that can make a proud statement in your container garden. They are not difficult to do, so let us get cracking.

In most festive winter container displays, holly and ivy foliage are the mainstay. These are traditionally backed with plants with …

Making a Mixed Container Display for Shady Spots

In this article, we will be discussing what groups of plants can be used to give a stunning display in the shade. In previous articles, I have discussed to what plants can be grown in various situations in the shade, but in this article, I am going to talk about what wonderful display in groups that you can have in a single container in the shade.

Since traditionally most plants grown in containers love the sun, but in shady areas, it can be difficult to get a container display that will brighten up any dark areas. The good news is …

Worm Composting- How to get the best from Your Wormery?

In this article, we will be discussing how to get the best from your wormery. In a past article, I have discussed the best way of composting which is viable for most gardeners. The problem is that it needs a lot of space and compostable material to make it a viable option.

Is there an alternative that takes up less space and uses less material and that is where the wormery comes into play?

Worm composting as said previously is great as you do not need much outdoor space to produce the compost. Composting makes good ecological and economical sense …

Plants that Can Survive Winter’s Heat and a Dry Atmosphere

In this article, we will be discussing what plants can survive the drying atmosphere of a centrally heated home in winter.

We all know that here in the UK when winter has arrived and it is snowing outside  (I know this does not happen often), we all switch on the central heating to feel nice and warm. We may feel warm and comfortable but do our houseplants?

Certain houseplants hate too much heat; they sulk and drop leaves.

They cannot manage without a period of dormancy; the plant will run out of steam. They cannot get used to having warmth …