Cuttings from Coolings Spring 2018

- F RO M C O O L I N G S -

SPRING

Trailblazers Pages 6-7

2018

Coolings Family Vouchers Pages 16-17

THE EXPERIENCE IS GROWING Main image: Dianthus ‘Sweet Memories’, an extremely floriferous and fragrant variety that can be found in Arthurs Garden.

Little Lovelies Pages 10-11

The Gardener’s Garden Centre

Theatre in the Garden Experience a lovely evening with us in Arthurs garden this year

WelcomeCoolings

F RO M C O O L I N G S

to

Dear Friends, It is often said that a gardener’s work is never finished and it often feels like that at Coolings. No sooner has one project finished than the next one rears its head and as one area is upgraded, another looks a little shabby by comparison and has to be improved too!

The Tempest

The Pirates of Penzance

Sunday 3rd June 7pm (Gates open from 6pm)

Sunday12th August 7pm (Gates open from 6pm)

Attend 3 Theatre in the Garden events for the price of 2!

Over the winter months we have moved the entire range of conifers to a more prominent new location between Arthurs and the exhibition glasshouse, and similarly, the hedging plants have now also moved to be with the other large screening plants as a more logical grouping.

In the extended shop, new flooring has been laid to lift the ambience and help keep the dust down, whilst outside we have added a new range of fencing, trellis and other timber accessories.

Of course, none of this would be possible without a great team of people and I am delighted that, in addition to the many regular faces that you have come to know over the years, we are joined by more than 24 enthusiastic new people for this spring season.

The Merchant of Venice

Saturday 23rd June 7pm (Gates open from 6pm)

The Hound of the Baskervilles Sunday 2nd September 7pm (Gates open from 6pm)

Adults £17.99, Children 15 & under £5.99, Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £39.99. (Attend 3 performances for the price of 2) More information or to book at www.coolings.co.uk/events

This progressive culture at Coolings comes from the combined senior management team and I am very proud that this has helped to keep us at the forefront of the Garden Centre trade in the UK. It was for this reason that in December we were visited by the Executive Board

and Administrators of the International Garden Centre Association. A group of 24 delegates from 17 different countries! The group was particularly impressed that on the day of their visit, despite the snow and ice, there were still plenty of people keen to visit Coolings. As a result of this visit we are hopeful to be included as hosts for the International Garden Centre Congress which will come to the UK in 2019.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the long, wet winter will be a distant memory.

The warmer weather of spring will be upon us and our thoughts will be of getting back in the garden. If your plot is large or small, maybe even a window box or apartment balcony, we’re sure you will find inspiration at Coolings.

The team and I look forward to welcoming you soon.

Chairman Coolings

It is with much sadness that I have to let you know of the recent passing of my Mother, Shirley Cooling. This happened after this edition of Cuttings had been prepared, so please excuse the positioning of this paragraph.

F RO M C O O L I N G S

3

Shirley Cooling 17/10/1935 – 13/02/2018

Early in 1962 Michael and Shirley visited a nursery in St Albans where they were amazed to see shrubs growing in tin cans with customers serving themselves.

Immediately they started to experiment and this was the beginning of the self-service nursery, leading in 1964 to the earliest garden centre. Paul was born in November 1964. When Arthur Cooling died suddenly in 1966 Shirley immediately took over the book-keeping whilst still looking after Paul and Mike. In 1967 David was born and whilst still in the maternity ward connected to a drip, Shirley prepared the tax computations, much to the annoyance of the midwife!

The garden centre grew rapidly and in 1980 was incorporated as a limited company with Michael and Shirley as directors. When the company moved to Knockholt, Shirley was responsible for the financial side of the business and in addition had a very large input in the construction and fitting out of Arthurs Coffee Shop. The construction of the new office building allowed Shirley to develop a larger accounts department team, with her retiring finally in 2003.

After a great deal of travelling with Michael in retirement, sadly Shirley was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, spending the last 4 years in a nursing home.

hirley’s early life was spent in Hextable, near Swanley, where her grandparents had a large nursery and market garden supplying Covent Garden Market. As a young child she spent many hours playing in the fields of gypsophila or in the tomato houses, while her mother helped with the book-keeping. Shirley attended Dartford Grammar School, by which time her mother was frequently in Moorfields Hospital with problems of sight, resulting in Shirley cooking for her parents from the age of 12.

4

F RO M C O O L I N G S

Ironically her mother insisted that Shirley should not go into the nursery business and so after ‘A’ levels she trained for 3 years, becoming a Fellow of the Society of Dispensing Opticians. Once qualified, Shirley became interested in Square Dancing, where she met Michael in 1959.

They became engaged in 1960 then spent 9 months redecorating and clearing up their first house, before marrying in July 1961.

Continuing to work as an optician until 1963, Shirley then helped Michael with the expanding Coolings business.

Without Shirley’s support the company would not have enjoyed the success which it has achieved. Shirley’s work ethic, particularly the running of the accounts department singlehandedly for many decades, is still honoured and admired to this day – the accountants still say Shirley’s accounts were the neatest and most accurate set they’ve seen!

Shirley leaves her devoted husband Michael, who still lives in Chislehurst, sons Paul and David (Chairman and non-executive Director respectively of Coolings Nurseries), daughter-in-law Carol and Grandchildren Jessica and Thomas.

F RO M C O O L I N G S

5

Trail Blazers!

‘Waterfall’ Lobelia

Summer is the season when we all want to enjoy our outside space at home. A great way to add a colourful note is to plant up some pots and baskets. Spending a few moments of a summers evening tending plants is Words by the perfect way to relax and re-connect with nature.

Jon Reburn

Sometimes the range of patio plants can seem a little baffling, especially the wide selection of cascading plants used to soften the edges of displays.

Here we give our pick of this season’s top choices for tempting trailers...

Trailing Osteospermum Erato Series Top choice for a sunny location these recent introductions will bring a smile to a summer’s day.

We grew a test batch last year and were delighted with the results! Plant three in a tub or basket and enjoy! Available in Purple, Rose Bi-Colour and White.

Petunia ‘Baby Doll’ We spotted this fab new variety in the breeders show trial last summer… the photo speaks for itself! A unique cuttingraised novelty petunia of semi-trailing habit, Baby Doll is a great choice for patio baskets and containers. See our May Cuttings offer on page 17.

6

F RO M C O O L I N G S

NEW

These cutting raised varieties are the thoroughbred relations of the familiar pack grown types… amazing for vigor and flower power all summer! We grow and sell them in 9cm and 1litre pots.

Trixi-Mix Trailers For people looking for a quick easy solution you cannot beat these highimpact readyto-go colour combinations. We also grow a huge number of great value patio pots and hanging baskets ready for you to take home and enjoy!

Nemesia ‘Wisley Vanilla’

Trailing Ivy Leaf Geraniums

These beautiful semi-trailing nemesias have dainty white flowers that have a gorgeous vanilla fragrance and are produced all summer. Perfect for spilling over the edge of a pot placed by a door, where the scent can be enjoyed every time you pass. See our April newsletter offer on page 16.

Top choice for ease and colour, trailing Geraniums will forgive you if you miss the odd watering for a day. Best in a sunny spot they will produce a magnificent display until the first frosts. We sell both semi-double and single flowered forms in a wide colour spectrum, grown here on our own nursery in Knockholt.

Begonia Illumination Series

Petunia ‘Queen of Hearts’

For out and out flower power there is little to beat a trailing Begonia.

Happy in sun or shade there are a wide range of colours available in the Illumination series.

The magnificent displays in several local pubs started life on our nursery!

We love this beautiful new semi-trailing petunia which really packs a punch with its vibrant red and yellow starry flowers.

Worth a try!

F RO M C O O L I N G S

7

Comeback

Colour

Blue

The perennial colour wheel Spring is in the air and gardens will be bursting with colour very soon. Here is our choice of early flowering herbaceous perennials to enhance your outdoor space.

Words by

Red P ink

Yel low

Dicentra spectabilis

NEW Helichrysum ‘Amber Cluster’

NEW Helichrysum ‘Amber Cluster’ Striking colours change from red buds, opening to pink and finally turning orange to yellow.

Doronicum ‘Little Leo’ Yellow daisy flowers that work well with spring flowering bulbs.

Geum ‘Can Can’ Soft yellow flowers with a hint of peach, will flower from spring to summer.

Doronicum ‘Little Leo’

8

Sam Smith

Geum ‘Can Can’

F RO M C O O L I N G S

Scabious ‘Pink Mist’

Dicentra spectabilis Pink heart shaped flowers hang from arching stems. Also known as ‘Lady in the Bath’.

Scabious ‘Pink Mist’ Perfect partner for a larger blue Salvia, the pink pin cushion flowers will thrive in a sunny spot.

Erysimum ‘Red Jep’ Given the RHS “perfect for pollinators” mark. These red scented Wallflowers will BEE appreciated by your garden pollinators.

Digitalis ‘Pam’s Choice’ Paeonia ‘Duchesse de Nemours’

Digitalis ‘Pam’s Choice’ Perfect for our garden pollinators, the white flowers are speckled with maroon….BEEutiful Paeonia ‘Duchesse de Nemours’ The ivory white flowers and Lily of the Valley scent of this little gem makes it a must have for every garden.

Papaver ‘Royal Wedding’ What better way to mark this year’s big event than with the beautiful, big white flowers of this ‘Royal Wedding’ Poppy.

Its bold, black centre and contrasting pure white petals make this a real showstopper and the dried seed heads can be used in flower arrangements.

See page 16 for our March voucher offer.

W hite

NEW

Salvia Nemerosa ‘April Night’

Salvia Nemerosa ‘April Night’ Petite in size with bright blue flowers good for borders and pots.

Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’ Lightly scented blue flowers on chocolate stems surrounded by fern like foliage…heaven!

Veronica ‘Mountain Breeze’ Veronicas are some of our favourite cottage garden plants and this blue dwarf variety fits neatly in front of any border.

Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’ Erysimum ‘Red Jep’

Veronica ‘Mountain Breeze’

Papaver ‘Royal Wedding’ F RO M C O O L I N G S

9

Lovelies

Little

Words by

Jon Reburn

For those looking to fill smaller garden spaces with colourful, hardy, low-maintenance plants then a wide selection of lovely choices can be found in the range of plants traditionally called “Alpines”. Containers, raised beds, border edges, even in between paving are all examples of places that can be enhanced with the right choice of plants. The key thing to remember is good drainage – incorporate some horticultural grit or gravel when planting. Here are a few top choices from our extensive range.

Sedum Acre ‘Aureum’ Saxifraga ‘Peter Pan’ Like its namesake, this delightful plant never grows up! It makes a neat cushion of rich green foliage which is studded with attractive red flowers in spring. Easy as child’s play to grow!

Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripe’ This showy little perennial is a great choice for popping into permanent planters, providing pink striped flowers in spring. There are many other attractive colours available.

Erigeron ‘Sea of Blossom’ and ‘Profusion’ An absolute must-have for dry stoney spots these dainty little daisies literally flower non-stop from spring until autumn. Will self-seed to fill along walls and in between cracks and crevices.

Helianthemum (mixed varieties) Rock Roses are tough little fellows that grow to form mats of evergreen foliage with masses of attractive flowers in spring and summer. Really easy to grow and last for years.

Aubrieta ‘Kitte’ For beautiful year-after-year spring colour there is little to match the tough reliability of Aubretia. ‘Kitte’ is a special selection with larger flowers which gives a real show.

Available in purple, blue, white and red.

10

F RO M C O O L I N G S

If you want a dwarf plant and you never get around to watering then give this little Sedum a go! It grows as a carpet of succulent foliage, the tips of which turn golden in spring accompanied by little yellow starry flowers.

Adjuga ‘Black Scallop’ Here’s a little something for a shady spot. This useful black leaved bugle produces spikes of blue flowers in spring and will creep to cover the ground and deter weeds.

Rhodanthemum ‘Sunshine Peach’ This attractive lowgrowing evergreen has fine silvery foliage and during summer is covered with bright peach daisy-like flowers.

Great choice for hot sunny locations.

Campanula ‘Catherina’ This beautiful little bellflower has upward facing blooms and quickly forms an attractive spreading patch of dwarf foliage ideal for edging paths or cascading down walls. Very popular and very easy to grow.

Oxalis adenophylla This little lovely has cupshaped pink flowers in spring and a neat ground hugging habit. Popular with our customers.

F RO M C O O L I N G S

11

Get the

Hebe-Geebeez Words by

NEW Hebe ‘Joan Mac’

Garry Norris

We love this new addition for 2018 with wonderful dark foliage and contrasting bright pink flowers.

Low maintenance, easy to grow, compact, attractive flowers, glossy and often colourful evergreen foliage, plus they are loved by pollinating insects such as bees…. Hebes are the perfect shrub choice for modern gardeners! There are a huge number of varieties available, but here we list a few of our favorites!

Hebe ‘Magic Summer’ Neat, compact habit and stunning foliage colour make this a must-have garden choice.

Hebe ‘Celebration’ Masses of reddish-purple flowers in summer and striking, narrow, golden variegated foliage makes this a must have plant.

Perfect gift or simply planted to celebrate the Royal Wedding!

Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’

Hebe pinguifolia ‘Pagei’ Excellent ground cover plant ideal in dry, sunny locations. Attractive blue-silver evergreen foliage and white flowers plus a “tough as old boots” constitution make this an easy option for low maintenance gardening!

F RO M C O O L I N G S

Hebe ‘Green Globe’

NEW Hebe ‘Rhubarb & Custard’

Hebe ‘Green Globe’ A Hebe that grows naturally to look like a small evergreen ball… the perfect alternative to Box! Hebe ‘Rhubarb and Custard’ Lovely variegated little shrub with superb foliage colour throughout the year.

Hebe ‘Pink Pixie’ and Hebe ‘Purple Pixie’ Two of the best dwarf flowering evergreen shrubs. Ideal permanent solutions for a sunny pot.

Hebe ‘Pink Pixie’

Hebe ‘Margret’ Beautiful dwarf bush with attractive blue flowers makes this a popular choice with customers.

Hebe ‘Margret’ Hebe ‘Celebration’

12

Hebe ‘Joan Mac’

Hebe ‘Purple Pixie’

See our Cuttings Newsletter offer on page 16 for £5 off 2/3 litre Hebes F RO M C O O L I N G S

13

Fresh Food Made Daily From Our Kitchen

Try Our New Menu

We cook up surprising dishes influenced by current trends, but you can always expect familiar home comforts such as our juicy home-baked honey ham.

ARAMARK?

We believe the key to great tasting food is using the best seasonal and responsibly-sourced British ingredients.

Baked Here Our passionate bakers are committed to bringing you freshly baked cakes & scones made in house daily. Jennifer, our baker, has dedicated her life to baking and brings a European flavour to the sweet treats in our cake counter.

Join us for Afternoon Tea...

Weekdays from 2.30pm pre-booking required

great food - seven days a week 14

F RO M C O O L I N G S

Call: 01959 532 269 F RO M C O O L I N G S

Cuttings Vouchers

16 Mar - 31 Mar 2018

01 Apr - 30 Apr 2018

01 Apr - 30 Apr 2018

Buy One Get One FREE

Save £1.50

SAVE £3.75

on ONE of our Gro-Sure Plant Feed Products

on Vitax Green Up Supertough Lawn Seed 500g

(Normally £5.99 each, Now £4.49 each)

(Normally £6.75, Now £3 each)

Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill

Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill

Offer valid 01 Apr – 30 Apr 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

One reduced item only per household.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

Offer valid 01 Apr – 30 Apr 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. One reduced product per household. For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

Regal Pelargonium 1 litre

with ...

Save £4.99

All vouchers must be redeemed with your Coolings Family Card and Coolings may refuse to redeem the voucher without your Family Card.

If for any reason you have mislaid your Coolings Family Card then please speak to a member of our team and we will be more than happy to sort this out for you.

Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill Offer valid 16 March – 31 March 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

One free product only per household.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

Choose either: ● All Purpose 6 Month Feed (1.1kg) ● Ericaceous Plant Food Granules (900g) ● Rose & Shrub 6 Month Feed (1.1kg)

SAVE £1.50

16 Mar - 31 Mar 2018

16 Mar - 29 Mar 2018

Papaver ‘Royal Wedding’ 1/3 litre sizes

Pot of Tea for One & Any Slice of Cake for £4.25

£2 OFF

03 Apr - 30 Apr 2018 Buy One Get One FREE Hot Drinks, any hot drink, any size

(exc. Friday 23rd Mar)

(Normally £5.99/£9.99)

Valid Monday – Friday between 2pm and 4pm Only (Valid for up to 4 people) Valid in Arthurs at Coolings Garden Centre

Save £2.00

Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill Offer valid 16 March – 31 March 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

One reduced item only per household.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

SAVE £3.75

Buy One Get One FREE NEW Petunia ‘Baby Doll’ 1 litre

Save £4.99

Valid Monday – Friday between 9am and 10.30am Only Valid in Arthurs at Coolings Garden Centre

Offer valid 16 Mar – 29 Mar 2018 excluding Friday 23rd March 2018. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill Offer valid 01 May – 31 May 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. One free product only per household.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

Offer valid 03 Apr - 30 Apr 2018 inclusive.

Cheapest item is free. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

SAVE £4.99

SAVE £2.00

01 Apr - 30 Apr 2018

01 Apr - 30 Apr 2018

01 May - 31 May 2018

Buy One Get One FREE

Any 2/3 litre Hebe

on Job Done Tough Weedkiller RTU 1 litre OR Job Done Path Weedkiller RTU 1 litre (Were £5.49 each, Now £3.99 each)

£5 OFF

Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill

Save £4.99

Offer valid 01 Apr – 30 Apr 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. One reduced item only per household.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill Offer valid 01 Apr – 30 Apr 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. One free product only per household.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

SAVE £5

01 May - 31 May 2018

Save £1.50

(Normally £14.99)

Nemesia ‘Wisley Vanilla’ 1 litre

SAVE £4.99

01 May - 31 May 2018

Save £1 on ONE of Our Gro-Sure 1 Litre Liquid Feeds (Were £4.49 each, Now £3.49 each) Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill

Valid at Coolings Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill Offer valid 01 May – 31 May 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

One reduced product only per household.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

SAVE £1.50

Choose either: Tomato Food Liquid, All Purpose Plant Food Liquid OR Ericaceous Plant Food Liquid

Offer valid 01 May – 31 May 2018 inclusive, while stocks last. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

One reduced item only per household.

For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

SAVE £1

Terms and conditions apply to all vouchers: Whilst stocks last. Only 1 voucher per transaction, only 1 voucher per household/customer. No cash alternative. Not valid with a trade card or any other offer.

Please present your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. Coolings reserves the right to amend the offer or terms without prior notice. For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

Perfect Partners Top Ten Herbs for Popular Dishes

Growing Herbs is easy and rewarding.

Words by Flourishing in tubs and containers they complement modern living and a healthy lifestyle, making beautifully tactile scented displays. Homegrown cannot be bettered for freshness and taste, plus has the advantage that you can pick and use just what you need. Here we look at a few popular herbs that are the perfect partner to everyday dishes.

Mar k Reeve

Rosemary

Perfect accompaniment to roast lamb.

Loves a sunny spot.

Chives

Potted herbs

Bring your salads to life by adding chopped Chive leaves.

Coriander

Great with Thai and many Indian dishes or added to soups and salads.

Marjoram

With a sweeter flavour than oregano, Marjoram will enliven a tomato sauce. Try using in home-made pizza topping.

Marjoram

Chives Rosemary

Bay

Add to stews or casseroles and essential for bouquet garni. Grow as a bush or as an attractive topiary feature.

Thyme

Popular ingredient in Italian cuisine, try adding leaves to your Bolognaise sauce!

18

F RO M C O O L I N G S

Sage

Great with pork dishes or a vital ingredient if you fancy making stuffing.

Parsley

Thyme

Versatile herb, great for making parsley sauce and garnishes.

Mint

Mint

Parsley

Possibly the easiest of all herbs to grow, there is no excuse to ever buy fresh mint in season. Best grown in its own pot as it can spread. Perfect partner to new potatoes.

French Tarragon

Perfect partner to fish and chicken dishes.

Will transform a simple Omelette. Add towards the end as the flavour reduces with cooking and use sparingly.

F RO M C O O L I N G S

19

Find your Green Fingers!

Easy as 1,2,3!

Growing your own herbs, vegetables and flowers from seed just got a whole lot easier! Produce grown in your garden are higher in nutrients than those that have travelled hundreds of miles into your supermarket, plus, you’ll save money. Not to mention, the satisfaction when pulling the first carrot out of the ground or planting a hanging basket with your homegrown Geraniums.

Easy as 1,2,3...

1. Fill Planting pods about 90% with vermiculate and sow seeds according to the instructions on the pack.

Words by

Annika Strand berg

All you need is some vermiculite such as Vitax Vermiculite 10/20L (instead of compost), soluble fertilizer, water and 2 AAA batteries.

20

F RO M C O O L I N G S

3. Put planting pods back into the basin body, check the control panel is set and off you go.

This nifty little gadget also comes in a more sophisticated version with a LED grow light (£69.99). This is particularly handy when there is no windowsill or not enough natural light. It mimics the sunlight - 16 hours on and 8 hours asleep.

Garlands Assorted Greenhouse and Propagation Accessories priced from £2.60.

So, what can you grow in the Hydro-Pod?

1. Seeds.

2. Hydroponic plants (eg. pond plants).

3. Bulbs.

4. It can also be used for transplanting young plants (seedlings).

It doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming and you don’t need a big garden or fancy greenhouse. In fact, we’ve got a solution to all those concerns.

It’s called a Hydro-Pod (£39.99). A NEW product for 2018 that can make the whole process easy as anything. The Pod is small enough to fit into the smallest of spaces or on any windowsill. There is no need for compost which means no mess, and they boast self-watering chambers and an automated controller that tells you when to top up the water.

2. Fill basin up to the “fill to here” water mark and add fertiliser.

If this is not for you we do of course stock a vast selection of traditional propagation products. Starting from Peat Pots to flatpacked Growhouses, Cloches, traditional Propagators and greenhouse accessories.

With LED grow light

Stewarts Clear Propagation Cover (52cm) £9.49.

Smart Garden Gro-Zone Max Greenhouse £39.99.

Stewarts Premium Deep Seed Tray (52cm) £5.29.

Plantpak Fibre Pot Round (6cm) £2.49.

F RO M C O O L I N G S

21

Fun ways to five a day

Top Tomato Tips!

New for 2018!

Words by

Terry Austin

The health benefits of both gardening and eating fresh fruit and vegetables are well documented. Growing your own food has a positive effect on physical and mental well being and there is no better way of getting your “five a day” than with produce you have nurtured yourself.

Here are five ways to grow tomatoes yourself.

Our homegrown plants are available in-store throughout the spring.

1. In hanging baskets

A fun way of growing a meaningful crop of sweet cherry tomatoes is to choose a trailing variety and grow them in hanging baskets. We recommend ‘Tumbler’.The bowl of tomatoes shows some of what I picked from one plant in a 12” hanging basket last summer!

Remember to feed and water regularly.

2. On the patio in pots

Tomatoes grow well in pots and containers on a patio or even a sheltered balcony. A variety like ‘Gardeners Delight’ will produce a delicious crop from a larger pot. Dwarf bush varieties will do well in smaller pots – look out for ‘Red Profusion’ and ‘Red Alert’ which both produce masses of sweet cherry tomatoes that taste amazing picked direct from the plant! Great for kids!

22

F RO M C O O L I N G S

3. Outside in the ground

A traditional way to grow tomatoes, try a variety like ‘Outdoor Girl’. Train against a garden cane. Best to avoid areas that have previously grown tomatoes or potatoes and do not plant out until the risk of frost has passed as tomatoes are cold sensitive.

4. In a Growbag

Tomatoes are shallow rooted and grow happily in a growbag in a sunny spot outside or in a greenhouse. A reliable variety to grow under glass is ‘Shirley’ as this has good resistance to Tomato Blight. Grow as a cordon up a cane or string removing side shoots. Pick out the top growing tip after 6 fruit trusses are formed. Try Levington Tomorite Giant Planter (£5.29).

5. In a Grow Tower

Look out for the new self-watering Grow Pot Tower (£19.99) in our shop this spring.

Try growing a grafted tomato within this for a bumper crop this summer. Grafted plants have very strong root systems for extra vigor and heavy cropping. Look out for our grafted selection including plum tomato ‘Agora’ and beefsteak variety ‘Maestra’.

Words by

Andy Daly

A Few of our Favourite Things Coolings is full to bursting with wonderful products.

Here are a few of my personal favourites.

Grow Your Own…

If you are about to give growing your own vegetables and herbs a try then our brand new Vegtrug Wooden Nursery Greenhouse and Cover (£99.99) may be just what you need to get started. It’s a self-contained grow centre which is adjustable to your requirements. If you only have a narrow space try the Vegtrug Wallhugger (£119.99) or Vegtrug Classic (£129.99).

For something a little unique try these new Panacea Vintage 10 Gallon Grow Bags.

Canvas construction with faux leather handles and bottom.

They are lined for water retention and available in 4 designs. Why not fill them with tomatoes and feed them with our new Gro-Sure Tomato Liquid Food (1 litre).

Plant Perfection…

It’s not just us that enjoy extra fuel during the summer months - plants need their own summer feast too! These five Gro-Sure products are new to us this year so we are keen to know what you think.

Gro-Sure All Purpose 6 Month Feed 1.1kg Gro-Sure Ericaceous Plant Food Granules 900g The Rose & Shrub 6 Month Feed 1.1kg Gro-Sure All Purpose Plant Food Liquid 1 litre Gro-Sure Ericaceous Plant Food Liquid 1 litre

Vegtrug Wallhugger

Tough Jobbers…

Nothing kills tough weeds faster and prevents re-growth for longer than Job Done Tough Weedkiller RTU 1 litre. Building on a professional formulation used to clear weeds from rail lines, SBM Life Science has invested in innovative new chemistry, which is now approved for consumer use. For your paths, patios and driveways try Job Done Path Weedkiller RTU 1 litre - visible results within 24 hours.

Is Moss thriving on your lawn? If so you need Evergreen No Rake Moss Remover 200m² (£24.99).

The naturally occurring bacteria “eats” the dead moss - so you will not need to rake it out. It also contains a slow release lawn fertiliser that feeds your lawn for up to 3 months.

Gifts and Treats…

You can’t go wrong with something from our PTMD Diffuser and Candle range.This contemporary and stylish brand new range of diffusers and candles from PTMD really do make a great gift so someone special. Available in the following fragrances: Coconut Lime, Stick Fig, White Tea, Sandalwood & Jasmine, Rose & Geranium.

F RO M C O O L I N G S

23

Oh Sow Easy!

Words by

Louise Robinson

With so many grass seeds on the market there will be something for every garden, but the sheer amount of choice can often seem overwhelming. Don’t worry as we’ve got it all ‘sown’ up!

When to Sow? The best time to sow seed is late spring and autumn, when the soil is warm and slightly damp. Don’t worry too much if you need to sow seed slightly earlier or later as there are mixes that have been specifically blended to cope with lower temperatures or drier conditions such as the larger seeds found in Any Time, who’s seeds germinate and grow in temperatures down to 3°C.

to give a fine dense lawn, ideal for close mowing and those regimental stripes we all love. Alternatively, for those of you that don’t have time to devote to continuous mowing there is Quick Lawn. It has ‘Gromax’ applied to the seed which attracts beneficial bacteria to help the roots grow, and once established is more of a slow growing variety meaning less mowing more relaxing!

Which Product?

Maybe you have a tree casting shade over the lawn? Try Shady Place with its specially formulated dry or damp shade formula.

Does your lawn have a busy life coping with budding footballers, cyclists or toddlers?

Tuffgrass will be the one for you as it contains a stronger variety of grass seeds that are quick to establish and are hard wearing.

New to us in 2018…

Seed manufacturers are always looking at ways to improve their products’ germination and lawn quality. This means some seeds have been given a special coating of fertiliser to feed the seeds. A new product to Coolings this season is Johnsons Lawn Thickener. It has a coating of both fast and slow release fertiliser to boost germination and help the roots establish more quickly.

Maybe you just want to sit back and enjoy looking at a luxuriously green lawn? If so try Luxury Lawn. It contains a seed mix blended

Many of you will have heard of Rootgrow, usually added to roots of shrubs and trees when transplanting into the garden.

24

F RO M C O O L I N G S

Empathy Supreme Green has added Rootgrow, coating the seeds so providing the benefits of Mycorhizzal fungi boosting the roots which enables better uptake of nutrients from the soil. Also new to us is Westland’s Gro-sure Smart Lawn Seed. It has an aqua coating to soak up much more water and is ‘guaranteed to grow’!

Don’t let it all go to seed!

So, you have scarified, sown seed, kept off the birds, watered continuously and finally have a beautiful looking lawn and are looking forward to sitting back in the sunshine and enjoying your hard work when out of the corner of your eye you spot…. a bare patch! Don’t panic you can quickly banish the blemish with Patch Magic from Miracle Gro. It includes their special formula of seed, feed and Coir, which means it needs less watering as the Coir soaks up moisture to release to the seeds in drier times.

Although a dog may well be man’s best friend he is not necessarily your lawn’s! Miracle Gro have also developed Dog Spot Repair. It contains Gypsum which rebalances the soil after the high salt in Fido’s urine has caused the grass to burn, and will have your lawn looking flawless in no time.

The dreaded moss! It loves shady, damp areas, nutrient poor and very short grass. The answer could lie in another new product to Coolings this season, After Moss. The seeds are coated in a Calcium Carbonate shell that gently raises the pH level of your soil to help deter the moss’s return.

Once your lawn is growing, it will benefit from a feed. New Westland Safe Lawn, is a feed that is perfectly safe for children and pets. Promoting stronger growth to outcompete weeds and moss to limit their growth, it has ‘friendly’ bacteria which transforms dead leaves and moss into much needed nutrients.

All we need now is a balmy sunny summer to show off and enjoy those luscious lawns. Fingers crossed!

Quick Lawn from Johnsons

NEW

Lawn Thickener from Johnsons

NEW

Safe Lawn from Westland

Dog Spot Repair from Miracle Gro F RO M C O O L I N G S

25

Good Natured A garden is one of the first things that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘green’. With an estimated 16 million gardens in the UK we certainly have plenty of ‘green’ spaces. However, the way we care for our gardens is not always as kind to nature as it could be.

As keen or amateur gardeners, we all enjoy our outdoor spaces and understand the benefits they bring towards clean living.

The Scotts Company has launched a new range of products called Origins which has been developed to help gardeners of all levels achieve results and see their gardens flourish in harmony with their surroundings.

This new range of gardening products contains naturally occurring ingredients and are designed to cover all gardening needs from lawns to the vegetable patch.

Origins Organic Plant Food (500ml) is certified organic and made with 100% natural ingredients. It supports beautiful plants and healthy fruit and vegetables. It is ideal for use on all flowering plants and edible crops.

Gardening Words by

Origins Weed Control (750ml)

is a peat based blend with added wood fibre and aged bark to grow big and healthy fruit and vegetables organically.

It is enriched with organic feed to boost your plants and get maximum yields.

26

F RO M C O O L I N G S

Origins Organic Compost (40 litre)

Origins Organic Lawn Food (60m2)

is a fast-acting product which produces results in just one hour. It is ideal for flower beds, borders and vegetable patches. It contains acetic acid and allows replanting or seeding 24 hours after application.

provides nutrients to your lawn and is made with 100% natural ingredients. It is enriched with organic feed which will feed for up to 3 months for a naturally lush and green lawn.

Origins Slug Control (450g)

Origins Bug Control (750ml)

reduces slug and snail damage on plants and edibles. The active ingredient, ferric phosphate, occurs naturally in soil.

Origins Organic Planter (2 plant)

Andy Daly

manages garden pests including greenfly, blackfly, whitefly, scale insects, mealy bugs, red spider mites and other mites.

This product, containing rapeseed oil, is perfect for use on fruit and vegetables and allows same day spray and eat.

is a peat based compost containing added wood fibre and aged bark to encourage healthy root growth. It’s ideal for supporting plants in pots, baskets or beds and is enriched with season long organic feed.

F RO M C O O L I N G S

27

Looking Sharp!

Spring is not all about outdoor flowers. It’s also the season for Cactus and Succulent flowering too.

They are the on-trend houseplants at present and they owe their well-deserved popularity to being very low maintenance, in fact, life doesn’t come much more easycare than this group of plants.

There is a huge variety available by way of differing shapes and textures. They are iconic plants that cannot easily be ignored, particularly, when several different varieties are planted together in a container or terrarium for which they are very suitable.

They can make an eye-catching, stunning display.

If you want to make a Cactus plant happy, give it sunshine. They are best suited to a warm and sunny or bright windowsill. Little water is needed during the winter, just enough to stop the cactus from shrivelling to nothing. Watering should be increased from April onwards, allowing the compost to dry between waterings.

Repotting in spring is best, use a ready mixed Cactus compost which contains everything they need. I always use a folded piece of newspaper wrapped around the Cactus to prevent spines detaching and causing injury!! This makes it easy to hold in the correct position for potting.

Some of our favourites include:

Did you know?

Words by

Nicky Peto

Cactus is in no way cuddly! It has no central stem or leaves - the Individual segments which constitute the Cactus body are oval shaped pads from which additional segments form. These new segments always grow in pairs, giving new growth areas the appearance of bunny ears.

F RO M C O O L I N G S

Terrarium

Succulents

Echinocactus brevispina This globe shape Cactus changes to a barrel shape gradually as it matures. Popular for its short golden spines.

Ferocactus stainesii More commonly known as the Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus. It is barrel shaped with a dark green body and thick bright red spines.

A great Cactus to add to your collection.

Astrophytum myriostigma

Echinocactus brevispina

Sansevieria

Opuntia microdasys

Opuntia subulata A species native to the Peruvian Andes.

Sometimes known as Eve’s Needle Cactus which suits its cylindrical shaped stems, few succulent leaves and sharp spines.

Astrophytum myriostigma Unusual and deeply segmented, no spines Opuntia microdasys but has silver hairs making it appear quite Otherwise known as the Bunny Ear Cactus. grey.

Despite the cute name, the Bunny Ear 28

All Cacti are Su but not all Su cculents, cc are Cacti. Su ulents cculents (from the Lat in word “Succulentu s” for juice or sap) are defi n moisture-sto ed by their ring capacity .

Succulents are also easy to care for and prefer a bright sunny position. Aloe Vera for example, requires minimal attention due to its long, fleshy leaves which as a succulent, have a natural capacity for water storage. It’s a great plant for the kitchen as should you ever burn yourself whilst cooking, simply break off a stem and apply the open flesh of the plant to the burn. Aloe has an amazing ability to heal burns quickly. The broken leaf won’t grow back, but this hardy plant will soon produce plenty more leaves.

Crassula Sansevieria (Mother in Law’s Tongue) and Zamioculcus are other succulents loved by our customers for their distinct appearance and ‘hard to kill’ nature!

F RO M C O O L I N G S

29

AWNINGS AD

Events to look out for...

Waggles Fun Dog Show Saturday 2nd September 2018 1pm - 4pm, Think your dog has what it takes? Why not enter?

Entry forms available at www.coolings.co.uk or in store at Waggles and Customer Services.

Visit Us...

Coolings Garden Centre Rushmore Hill Knockholt Sevenoaks Kent TN14 7NN T: 01959 532269 E: rushmorehill@coolings.co.uk W: www.coolings.co.uk

Visit our 14,000ft² House of Homegrown Flowers!

Opens Friday 29th June - Closes Sunday 29th July. Everyday 9am - 5pm.

Theatre in the Garden: The Tempest - Sun 3rd June The Merchant of Venice - Sat 23rd June The Pirates of Penzance - Sun 12th Aug The Hound of the Baskervilles - Sun 2nd Sept www.coolings.co.uk/events

Opening Times Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 4.30pm (5.30pm 22nd March - 31st July)

Follow Us...

Facebook/coolingsnurseries

Twitter @CoolingsGC

Coolings Family is promoted by Coolings Nurseries Ltd. The use of all Coolings Family benefits are bound by our terms and conditions available on www.coolings.co.uk or by request.