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Christmas

Gardens

Derwen Garden Centre

<p><strong>Choose the perfect Christmas tree</strong> for your home this year with our top tips.</p>

<p>There’s something about a Christmas tree that turns everyone into a child again. Smell the needles, see the sparkling lights and glittering ornaments, and you can feel the anticipation growing. <strong>Choose the perfect Christmas tree</strong> for your home this year with our top tips.</p>
<h2>Cut or pot-grown Christmas trees&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Your first decision is whether to buy a cut tree or a pot-grown one. Pot-grown trees are often smaller than cut trees, but they will last longer – in fact, after Christmas is over, you can put them outside and grow them on for next year! If you’re short on space, a small pot-grown tree could be the answer. However, if you want a tree that reaches the ceiling, you’ll probably need a cut tree. If well looked after, cut trees will last until Christmas is over and can then be taken to a recycling depot.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Types of Christmas trees</h2>
<p>Here’s a quick run-down on some of the most widely available types of Christmas tree types:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<p>Nordmann fir – one of the most popular types, often called the non-drop tree because it sheds few needles. With its symmetrical shape and dark green needles, it’s a classic Christmas tree.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Noble fir has elegantly tiered stiff branches and beautiful blue-tinged foliage with a fresh, woody scent. It also shed very few needles.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Fraser fir - another low-mess variety that sheds very few needles. It’s narrower than many other firs, suitable for tight spaces, but still has plenty of dense, soft foliage and a fantastic citrus scent.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Norway spruce – a very traditional Christmas tree with solid and upward-slanted branches ideal for decorating. It has a delicious pine fragrance but does need to be kept well watered to minimize needle drop.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>Tips on caring for Christmas trees</h2>
<ul>
<li>For the best choice, get your tree as early as you can so that you can pick one that suits the size and shape of your room. If you’re buying a pot-grown tree, you can choose one at any time from early November. For cut trees, choose from the end of November so that your tree will last through Christmas.</li>
<li>Un-net cut trees as soon as you get home so that air can circulate around the branches.</li>
<li>Rehydrate your cut tree by cutting an inch off the end of the trunk and standing the tree in a bucket of water (do this within 30 minutes of cutting, or it will seal over). If you are not putting up your tree straight away, leave it standing securely in the bucket in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight and sheltered from the wind.</li>
<li>Position your Christmas tree away from fires and radiators, as these will dry it out.</li>
<li>Check the water reservoir of your tree stand daily and keep it topped up.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>We have a fantastic range of Christmas trees of all sizes in the centre, so visit us to choose yours and get the festive season started!</p>

How to choose the perfect Christmas tree

<p>Discover the answer to&nbsp;<strong>when you should stop mowing your lawn in autumn</strong>.</p>

<p>We are often asked <strong>when to stop mowing your lawn in autumn</strong>. The answer is, it can vary! So we have put together this guide to help you with keeping your property in tip-top shape over the winter months, and that all starts with doing the right thing in autumn. Even though it is much colder outside now, there is still plenty to be doing in the garden and preparing the lawn is one job you need to do.&nbsp;</p>
<ol>
<li>Prepare the lawn&nbsp;</li>
<li>Mowing the lawn&nbsp;</li>
<li>Taking care of your lawn&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<h2>Know when to stop mowing your lawn in autumn by preparing it first&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Before even thinking of mowing your lawn, the first thing to do is to make sure it is prepped and ready for mowing and the cooler months ahead. There is considerable leaf fall during autumn, and if you have trees around your garden, grab your leaf rake and rake up all leaves and debris. Don't forget to put the leaves into leaf bags to store and make your leaf mulch. It is often a sign when at least half of the leaves from deciduous trees have fallen that it is time to stop mowing the lawn.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>So when should you stop mowing your lawn in autumn?&nbsp;</h2>
<p>It is all about grass growth.</p>
<ul>
<li>If the season is warm, you will find your grass continues to grow.</li>
<li>If it is cold, grass growth will slow down considerably.</li>
</ul>
<p>So depending on what area you live and what the climate is doing each year will dictate when your garden grass stops growing. It is really important to start planning ahead for this and never mow the lawn too short. Start lifting the blade on your mower, so each mow is slightly longer than the last until most likely November. Mowing doesn't need to take place between December and March but also if you really do need to, and the grass isn't frosty or soaking wet, an occasional tidy up won't hurt,&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Now you know when to stop mowing your lawn in autumn. What next?&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Over the winter months, you will most likely be staying warm indoors than running around on the lawn but don't forget to go out into the garden and enjoy the frosty winter mornings. Try to step on the wet, icy lawn a lot less than you would in the summer to prevent any damage,&nbsp;and if you need to trim edges or around pathways, that's a great way to keep things looking neat. You can use a garden fork to aerate the lawn as well and remember to give your mower a clean and service, so it's ready for spring.</p>
<p>Lawnmowers, grass seed and all tools needed to keep your lawn looking great can be found in store.&nbsp;</p>

When to stop mowing your lawn in autumn?

<p>Here are some tips and what to expect on <strong>Black Friday</strong>.</p>

<p>Here is <strong>what you can expect on Black Friday 2021</strong>. Friday, 26th November is the Friday following Thanksgiving in the US and has become synonymous worldwide. It is the day when the sales hit the shops, and shoppers are out to bag a bargain. It’s perfect timing to start Christmas shopping and keep it within budget as well. It s a fun time of year to take a look in your favourite shops and see if you can pick up the gardening accessories, plants and furniture you’ve had your eye on all year. Here are some tips and what to expect on Black Friday.</p>
<ol>
<li>Top tip</li>
<li>Bargains in the plant department&nbsp;</li>
<li>End of line garden furniture&nbsp;</li>
<li>A great day out&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<h2>Top tip for what you can expect on Black Friday&nbsp;</h2>
<p>One this is for sure, and that is the bargains sell out fast! So put your alarm clock on, grab a good breakfast and get ready to shop&nbsp;as soon as the doors open. You won’t be the only one, so make sure you have some comfy shoes on so you can shop comfortably and enjoy a day of shopping for your garden. Don’t forget to write a list of everything you would love to buy but also expect to pick up some spur of the moment purchases.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>What you can expect on Black Friday is plant bargains</h2>
<p>Plants don’t escape the sales! You could pick up one of your dream plants in the black Friday sale or find something completely new and exciting. You might find some Orchids that have finished flowering for a bargain, so remember you can absolutely get them to bloom again. Don’t forget a lovely pot for it, too.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>End of line garden furniture is what you can expect on Black Friday&nbsp;</h2>
<p>You could pick up a great bargain in the garden furniture department. There is often summer furniture, end-of-line with a lot of money off for Black Friday. So keep your eye out for your next garden seating, tables and accessories. Make sure you have measured up so you know what size you can fit in. On Black Friday, delaying a purchase means you might miss out on it all together.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>What you can expect on Black Friday is to have a great day out</h2>
<p>One of the most important things to remember is to have fun!</p>
<ul>
<li>Enjoy your day out,</li>
<li>Go with friends,</li>
<li>Grab some lunch,</li>
<li>And see what you can find.</li>
</ul>
<p>If you need a pick me up, take some time for a coffee and a chat before you head back to the shops to hunt those bargains - especially the plants!&nbsp;</p>
<p>Visit us in store for our Black Friday sales!</p>

What you can expect on Black Friday

<p>Here are a few <strong>tips on indoor-grown vegetables</strong> to get you started.</p>

<p>You don’t have to have a big garden to <strong>grow your own vegetables</strong>. As long as you have a sunny windowsill, you can still enjoy growing your own food. Your harvests may not be huge, but they’ll be no less satisfying for being small. Here are a few <strong>tips on indoor-grown vegetables</strong> to get you started.</p>
<h2>Growing organic vegetables</h2>
<p>Growing vegetables organically – i.e. without the use of man-made chemicals – gives you the benefit of knowing exactly what went into your vegetables. It can take time and effort to become a fully organic grower, but you can get started by sowing organic seeds, avoiding chemical pesticides and using organic fertilisers such as liquid seaweed.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Tips for growing vegetables indoors</h2>
<ul>
<li>As for growing plants in containers outdoors, choose the right size container for the plant you are growing. Vegetables with long taproots will need deep containers, while smaller salad leaves will grow happily in a window box.</li>
<li>Use a good quality potting compost, and check what sort of fertiliser your vegetables need. Most composts contain enough nutrients for at least 6 weeks’ growing, but after that, you will need to feed your plants regularly.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Most vegetables need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day to grow well, so you may need to consider adding supplementary lighting such as LED grow lights, especially if you’re growing plants in mid-winter when the days are short.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Vegetables to grow indoors</h2>
<p>Salad crops can be grown all year round on a sunny windowsill. Choose cut-and-come-again varieties so you can just pick the leaves you need and leave the rest to grow. Sow regularly and you’ll have a constant new supply of leaves. You don’t have to stick to just lettuce either. Beetroot, spinach and pak choi can all be grown indoors for delicious ‘baby leaf’ salad leaves.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Chilli peppers can be grown in a pot on a sunny windowsill. They need around 10 hours of sunlight a day, so you may need to invest in grow lights. Outdoor-grown chilli plants are pollinated by a combination of bees and wind shaking the plants, so when growing indoor plants, give them a gentle shake once or twice a day once the flowers have formed to achieve the same result. You won’t get as big a crop as you would outdoors, but your plants will still be fruit, and they look pretty too.</p>
<p>Tomatoes need warmth and plenty of sunlight, so grow them on a south-facing windowsill or in a conservatory in summer.&nbsp; Look for small varieties like the Tomato ‘Balconi’ range that have been specially bred to be very compact. Like chilli peppers, indoor-grown tomatoes need a gentle shaking to pollinate the flowers, unless you are growing them next to an open window.</p>
<p>Whether you’re growing vegetables in a pot on your windowsill or in rows on your allotment, we have everything you need for a great harvest. Visit us today to see our great range of seeds, plants and gardening tools!</p>

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Christmas

Gardens

Derwen Garden Centre

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Address:	Derwen Garden Centre, Guilsfield, Welshpool, SY21 9PH
Office:	(01938) 553015
Email:	[email protected]

Mon - Sat:	9.30am - 5.30pm

Sunday:	11am - 5:pm