Cuttings from Coolings Autumn 2019

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

AUTUMN

Bedding down for Autumn!

Pages 4 & 5

2019

Coolings Family Vouchers Pages 16 & 17

THE EXPERIENCE IS GROWING

May the Force be with You! Pages 14 & 15

We’ve added another garden centre to our portfolio!

We are delighted to announce our recent purchase of Wych Cross Garden Centre in Forest Row, East Sussex.

Wych Cross was established over 50 years ago as a traditional nursery specialising in roses, and at the beginning of the 2000’s it had one of the largest retail selections of roses in the UK, with over 1,400 varieties. Purchased by Wyevale Garden Centres in 2015 it has now consolidated its rose collection and established a thriving garden centre and tea room business whilst maintaining a reputation for roses and clematis.

Family run and known for their horticultural expertise, home grown plants and green credentials, Coolings are delighted to welcome the new centre into the fold and building on the Wych Cross specialist reputation for growing roses.

N.B. Wych Cross Garden Centre have been closed temporarily for refurbishment and will reopen on Friday 23rd August 2019.

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WelcomeCoolings

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to

Dear Friends, It seems that environmental issues are forever in the news these days, however, whilst politicians prattle on about taxing this or incentivising that, gardeners are just quietly getting on with doing their bit to enable our great grandchildren to enjoy the world that we live in today. It is often said that the best time to plant a tree is ten years ago, but the next best time is now!

There are so many forms, shapes, sizes and colours that, whatever size your garden, there is a tree to suit.

Come and talk to one of our friendly horticultural advisers if you’d like some guidance. Growing your own fruit and vegetables is particularly rewarding when sharing a meal with friends. The flavours are so much more intense when picked fresh from the plant or dug straight from the ground and of course there is no packaging to dispose of and zero “food miles” to feel guilty about. If you have an allotment, so much the better, but you can still grow many crops in pots on the patio or balcony. Again, our experienced team are always on hand to answer any queries you may have. Read more on pages 28 & 29 about all the environmentally friendly things that we are doing at Coolings that resulted in an award at the KEiBAs recently.

The knowledgeable and helpful team are often cited as one of the main reasons for people wanting to visit Coolings. This is due, in no small part, to the on-site educational courses that many of the team have undertaken over the years. At the annual ceremony earlier this summer, another 240 students were presented with their certificates. This included Wren, who is one of the Gardening Team at Coolings. Three others from different departments within Coolings will be starting their second year of the RHS course

in September. If you have ever considered learning more about your favourite hobby, there are still places available in September. Do call or check our website for details.

Finally from me, it’s been nearly two years since we took over the highly respected Potted Garden Nursery in Bearsted near Maidstone. The success that we have experienced in developing the team and increasing sales, has given us confidence to take on another site, this time in the Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. On Friday 23rd August, Wych Cross Garden Centre will reopen as Coolings. For the last three and a half years, this site has been part of the Wyevale portfolio and prior to that was a successful plant centre with an excellent reputation for roses and its “Hybrid Tea” café. We look forward to working with the existing team to write the next chapter in the history of the garden centre which, like our other sites, has evolved from a traditional nursery.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Chairman Coolings

P.S. Make sure you have Tuesday 3rd September in your diaries as we have arranged for an aerial display from the Spirit of Kent Spitfire (based at Biggin Hill) to welcome over 200 delegates of the International Garden Centre Association as part of their week-long tour of the South East of England. As hosts of this fantastic event we thought it deserved a special treat!

Data Privacy

Coolings holds your data and privacy in its highest regard. You will be receiving postal and e-marketing from Coolings Nurseries Ltd because you will have previously signed up to receive this.

We will always remove customers from our postal marketing database on request, contact us on 01959 532269 or email rushmorehill@coolings.co.uk. We also proactively monitor all our customer addresses and will remove customers from our postal marketing database if we believe information we hold to be out of date or obsolete. Your data will never be passed or sold to any third party and will only be used by Coolings Nurseries Ltd to keep you informed about our business and to improve our products and services.

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Bedding down f or Aut umn!

Autumn is a time when many plants and animals start preparing for winter dormancy. But there are also lots of hardy souls who thrive in the cooler months!

Orange with purple wing violas

Violas

Stars of the winter, these happy little pop-in plants flower from autumn to spring. The modern varieties we grow have been bred specifically to flower throughout the cooler months.

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Words by

Jon Reburn

In the garden there are plenty of seasonal plants that fill the colour gap with cheery displays from autumn until spring.

Winter pansies

Pansies

We sell a fantastic range of pansies in packs and pots grown on our nursery here in Knockholt! At this time of year, we grow varieties carefully selected to give colour throughout the cooler months.

Cyclamen ‘Indiaka’ Wallflower ‘Sugar Rush’

Wallflower ‘Sugar Rush’

This fantastic dwarf wallflower has become a huge hit with our customers as it flowers both in autumn then again in spring with the added bonus of a beautiful fragrance! Its dwarf nature also makes it ideal for containers too and less likely to be blown over in borders.

Cyclamen ‘Indiaka’

We have for many years, grown an impressive range of half-hardy cyclamen perfect for adding colour to sheltered tubs and baskets. We were excited last year to trial a unique new, large flowered bi-coloured series called ‘Indiaka’ which was a huge success but we simply did not have enough to meet demand. Needless to say, this year we have grown enough for everyone!

William M

orris Pots

Chrysanthemum Trixi Trio pots

Chrysanthemum Trixi Trio pots

Look out for our NEW Trixi Trio pot of autumn chrysanthemums this September – three colours in one! See our offers on page 16 for a very special deal!

from Woo

dlodge Season al Plan ted Ba an skets This autu d Containe mn, look r s rang out

e of b for an and hang eautiful ready-m improved ade plan ing baske te just pick up and e ts available for yo rs njoy! The u to to put th e r you can garden into hibe e is no need have colo rnation w ur and in hen If you are tere k pots why een to plant up st all year! yo n Woodlo ot tr y one from ur own o dge Willi am Morr ur new is range.

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Scented Shrubs

for Winter Interest

Words by

Garry Norris

Winter flowering plants are especially valuable as they add colour and interest at a time when this can be lacking in the garden. Another desirable feature of plants that flower at this time is that they often have a beautiful perfume.

Here we list some SCENTsational winter flowering shrubs to perfume your garden throughout the colder months.

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ A desirable and unfussy shrub that will flower from November to March with beautifully scented clusters of blush pink flowers.

See our offer on page 17.

Viburnum ‘Dawn’

Sarcococca (Christmas Box) are lovely evergreens, happy in a shady spot, that will fill the winter air with their intoxicating honey fragrance.

Sarcococca ‘Purple Stem’ has the added attraction of purple bark!

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Sarcococca ‘Purple Stem’

Mahonia ‘Charity’

Mahonia ‘Charity’ Stunning architectural evergreen that will light up the early months with candles of scented yellow flowers. Will happily grow in sun or shade.

Daphne ‘Perfume Princess’

Daphne The queen of the winter garden, daphnes are renowned for their exquisite perfume.

Look out for Daphne ‘Perfume Princess’.

Chimonanthus praecox, commonly known as “Wintersweet” is a strong growing shrub ideal for the back of a border. Its common name gives a clue to its appeal!

Hamamelis ‘Jelena’

Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) Witch Hazels are unusual and exotic, filling the winter air with their zesty citrus fragrance. Fiery autumn leaf colours add to their appeal.

Edgeworthia chrysantha An unusual shrub for a sheltered position. Scented globes of yellow flowers perfume the winter air.

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Autumn BLues!

It has been well documented that gardening is a great stress buster with wonderful benefits to our mental health – a great hobby to undertake as our culture becomes more obsessed with technology and increasingly nature deprived.

Words by

Carol Harvey-Lewis

But, did you know that the colours in our garden have their own associated petal power? Blue for example, has tremendous power to manage stress. It’s a very soothing colour that helps calm your mind, lower your blood pressure and reduce anxiety. Here are some of our favourite shrubs that are guaranteed to keep you cool, calm and collected this autumn/winter…

Ceratostigma willmottianum This spreading, deciduous shrub brings welcome masses of vivid cobalt-blue flowers in late summer and autumn when many other flowers have gone over. In winter the leaves turn a rich russet-red.

Ceratostigma willmottianum

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Hydrangea ‘Zorro Blue’

Vitex Agnus-Castus

Hydrangea ‘Zorro Blue’ This newish form of Teller Blue Hydrangea with black stems produces beautiful, star-shaped, deep blue lacecap flowers when in acid soil. Perfect for growing in a mixed, herbaceous border, especially when used in conjunction with other hydrangeas. It makes an excellent cut flower.

Vitex Agnus-Castus An attractive spreading aromatic shrub with fragrant distinctive upright lavender flowers in slender racemes at the end of the summer.

Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’

Hebe ‘Autumn Glory’

Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ otherwise known as (Russian Sage). This deciduous shrub makes a wonderful companion to all kinds of late-summer ornamental grasses and perennials. It makes a real impact planted en masse alongside a path, where the sage-like fragrance of its leaves can be appreciated, or try it alongside other silver-leaved plants, or in swathes in a sunny border.

Hebe ‘Autumn Glory’ Hebe ‘Autumn Glory’ is great for the border, rock garden, patio tub or for edging when planted in borders. These compact plants do not lose their leaves and boast striking spikes of deep bluey-purple flowers in late summer and autumn.

Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’

Caryopteris ‘Dark Knight’

Ceanothus ‘Autumnal Blue’ Loved for its abundant, fluffy clusters of sky-blue flowers in late summer and autumn. The flowers are so profuse that they literally cover the bush, creating a breath-taking floral display. This pretty shrub is prized by bees and butterflies. A great selection as a specimen or for the border.

Caryopteris ‘Dark Knight’ The eye-catching deep blue flowers of this beautiful shrub are a magnet to bees. Perfect for growing in containers or towards the front of a sunny border.

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Coloured Bark for

Year-Round Beauty As autumn melts into winter and the leaves begin to fall, deciduous trees and shrubs reveal their naked forms.

While flowers or ornamental foliage are probably what attracts people to buy most plants, an often-overlooked

Words by

Terry Austin

feature is the value of attractive bark as a structural feature during the winter months.

Here we highlight our top picks for beautiful bark.

BEAUTIFUL BIRCHES

‘Snow Queen’

Possibly the best form of himalayan birch with its distinctive bright white bark. The main stem of ‘Snow Queen’ turns pure white even from a young age.

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‘Wakehurst Chocolate’ An unusual choice with lovely dark chocolate coloured bark.

CHARMING CHERRY

COLOURFUL CORNUS Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’

Cornus alba ‘Flaviramea’

Prunus serrula

commonly called the Tibetan Cherry is a lovely compact tree ideal for modern gardens.

It has amazingly tactile, smoothly polished brown bark that shines in the winter.

WONDERFUL WILLOW

Perfect winter interest plant for a damp position. Try Salix alba ‘Britzensis’

Cornus Kesselringii

Dazzling multi-stem clumps of these attractive dogwoods radiate out on frosty mornings. Prune back hard in spring to promote fresh shoots for next season.

AMAZING ACERS

Acer ‘Sango Kaku’

Acers are famed for the attractive colour of their autumn foliage. There are also several lovely varieties that have attractive winter bark. Try: Acer ‘Bi-Ho’, Acer ‘Sango Kaku’, Acer ‘Viper’.

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On Trial:

Secateurs

A trusted pair of secateurs are essential for all gardeners...

They are often the first thing you grab when doing a bit of work in the garden as they are useful for deadheading and snipping off untidy shoots, for harvesting flowers and vegetables, and for the precision pruning that keeps your shrubs and climbers performing well year after year. However, with so many variations you may be left wondering which pair is right for you?

The priority in terms of plant health is to make clean cuts. When choosing which pair to buy, cutting efficiency should be balanced against your own comfort, ease of maintenance and value for money. Last year, we asked a handful of our customers to test some bypass secateurs that would suit most

Words by

Nicola Younger

gardeners and here is what they found…

(N.B. Star ratings given are based on 5 stars being Excellent – 1 star being Poor).

What does ‘bypass’ mean?

Bypass secateurs have a blade sharpened on one side only. It cuts as the blade ‘bypasses’ a hardened plate, much like a pair of scissors. This action produces the cleanest and hence healthiest cut.

They are popular for their versatility.

Manufacturers claim they can cut stems up to a maximum diameter of between 12mm and 26mm.

Testing criteria and findings…

Our testers used the following criteria when giving their feedback: Handling (comfort, weight, balance and safety), cutting (robustness, efficiency and manoeuvrability), maintenance (easy to clean and sharpen) and value for money (balancing their feedback against price).

Fiskars Single Step Bypass Pruner Max Cut: 22mm Price: £16.50 Durable and comfortable handles made with fibreglass reinforced plastic with hole for wrist strap. Sleek, modern, high quality design: Non-stick coating on the upper blade for a smooth and clean cut. Suitable for right and left handed users.

Pros & cons

√ Good grip √ Light in the hand √ Easy to open √ Easy to lock and secure √ Cut to the stated 22mm with ease

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√ Coped well with larger cuts when using two hands √ Inexpensive and considered a fair price comparatively √ Would recommend to a friend × One year guarantee × Stiff spring × No cover on spring – tricky to clean Handling: ★★★★ Cutting: ★★★★ Maintenance: ★★★★ Value for money: ★★★★

Best Buy!

Kent & Stowe Professional Bypass Secateurs Max Cut: 20mm Price: £17.99 Made from strong aluminium.

The precision ground blades are made from SK5 carbon steel and are heat treated for added strength. Dual catch blades, wire cutting notch, sap groove and shock absorbers.

Pros & cons √ Comfy weight √ Narrow handles √ Spring open easily √ Two stage opening (smaller width for intricate snipping and wider selection for larger cuts)

√ Simple and solid locking mechanism √ Cut to the stated 20mm with ease √ Rubber coated handles stayed nice and clean √ Open wide so can thoroughly clean √ 5 year guarantee × Uncomfortable handle grip after long use × Became stiff to use after a short time

× Needed both hands for larger cuts × Spring got dirty quickly × Would not recommend due to uncomfortable grip when not wearing gloves × Slightly pricey considering how uncomfortable the handles are Handling: ★★★ Cutting: ★★★ Maintenance: ★★★★ Value for Money: ★★★

Darlac Expert Bypass Medium Pruner Max Cut: 18mm Price: £19.49 Two position safety catch for small and large hands. Slim profile handle. Wire cutting notch. Shock absorbers and SK5 Carbon Steel Blade.

Pros & cons √ Easy to use √ Spring opens with ease √ Comfy grip √ Cuts fine to the stated 18mm √ Rubber cased, easy to clean handles

√ Fair price considering results √ Would recommend only for smaller pruning jobs √ Limited lifetime guarantee (does not cover wear & tear and neglect)

× Narrow opening – tricky to clean Handling: ★★★ Cutting: ★★★★ Maintenance: ★★★ Value for money: ★★★

× Smaller blades × Smaller grip × Smallest cutting diameter (18mm) compared to others on trial × Struggled with larger cuts

Burgon & Ball Bypass Secateurs Max Cut: 25mm Price: £19.99 Bypass secateurs made with a heat treated high-carbon steel blade to ensure lasting sharpness. Spare blade and spring cover included. The alloy handles are robust and are brightly covered to ensure the secateurs are always visible when at hand.

Pros & cons √ Easy to open √ Super springy (maybe too springy for weaker hands) √ Biggest cutting diameter (25mm) compared to others on trial

√ Good for larger cuts √ Good leverage √ Achieved 25mm cut as stated (but had to use two hands) √ Good on small shrubs and hedges √ OK to clean due to wide opening but quite intricate √ Rubber covered handle stays clean √ Spare blade and cover included √ RHS endorsed and 10 year guarantee × Wide spread for smaller hands

× Top heavy with all weight in the blades × Retaining clip couldn’t handle their ‘springy’ nature – often slipped and the blades would spring apart. Frustrating after a while. × Comparatively expensive × Would not recommend due to comfort and weight issue Handling: ★★★ Cutting: ★★★ Maintenance: ★★★ Value for money: ★★★

BEST BUY: Fiskars Single Step Bypass Pruner Durable & comfortable with a sleek, modern, high quality design!

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‘f orce’

e h t y a M ! u o y h t i be w

S

Keukenhoff, Holland Nicky and Johan at for Coolings’ lbs hand selecting bu

Johan Bergsman and Nicky Peto

Words by

ince they were taken from their native Turkey in the mid 1500s, hyacinths have continued to dazzle as well-loved plants to enjoy in the garden, pot or vase. The original species was blue and from this the first white variety was cultivated followed shortly by pink, red, yellow, salmon and orange. During the 17th and 18th centuries in particular, the hyacinth, like the tulip became all the rage with more than 2000 varieties on the market. Huge sums were paid for a single bulb! Nowadays there are only a few hundred varieties available, of which only around 50 are grown.

Have you ever wondered how growers get some hyacinths to flower early?

Well, its all in the preparation! We asked our dutch friends at Kapiteyn Bulbs (who supply all our lovely bulbs every year) to explain the forcing process to us…

The science bit…

The size of the bulb indicates the size of the flower. Bulbs sized 16-17cm are usually used for the garden, because they produce smaller/ lighter flowers that cannot easily bend over in the garden. Bulbs sized 17-18cm are most suitable for growing hyacinths in pots and glasses.

Hyacinths are used a lot for early flowering and bulb growers need to ‘prepare’ bulbs if being used for this purpose. This early flowering is also called ‘forcing’. For very early flowering hyacinths, harvesting will begin in June. After harvesting, the hyacinth bulbs receive a special heat treatment during which the new foliage 14

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leaves and the flower parts are successfully developed. When the last flowers of the small cluster in the bulb have been fully made, the bulbs have reached (what those in the know refer to as) stage G. The grower observes stage G with the help of a microscope and after a short intermediate treatment, the bulbs may then receive their cold period.

Enjoy 20% OFF all spring bulbs with your Coolings Family card Fri 30th Aug – Sun 1st Sep 2019 (inclusive)

only be put in the light when the flower bud is completely out of the bulb, when the sprout is about 6-8cm tall. If you are wanting to have flowers in time for Christmas like my Hyacinth ‘White Pearl’ that I grew last year (pictured below) you will need to pot them/put the bulbs on water in October. Bulbs planted in pots can be placed close to each other with their noses slightly above the soil.

Hyacinth ‘Woodstock’ is another good choice for Christmas displays for their festive magenta flowers.

Planting up…

If you are growing hyacinths for indoor display you will need to check that the bulbs have been ‘forced’ (at Coolings we refer to ‘forced’ bulbs as ‘prepared’). Place them in a pot with soil (we recommend Taylors Bulb Fibre £2.99 per 10 litre bag) or in a special hyacinth glass filled with water (the water should not touch the bulb).

Once planted, place the pot/glass in a cool, dark place for about eight weeks. Keep the soil moist but not saturated and the water in the hyacinth glass topped up. During this time the bulbs will develop roots and a flower bud and should

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We recommend Taylors Bulb Fibre £2.99

If you are growing hyacinths outdoors in your garden you should plant them in the autumn (we refer to unforced bulbs as ‘unprepared’ here at Coolings). Come spring time your hyacinth will be looking lovely with up to 40 wonderfully scented flowers like my Hyacinth ‘Peter Stuyvesant’ pictured below. I planted these up with some Coolings Professional Multi-Purpose Compost last autumn and over planted with

some yellow and black eye pansies and some Ivy - simple but very effective. After flowering, the leaves will continue to grow for some time, only take the leaf away when it is completely dried in. The flower is usually slightly smaller in the second year. Forced bulbs can be planted in the garden and will last for years.

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HAVE A GO AND GROW AN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR VARIETY THIS AUTUMN – MAY THE ‘FORCE’ BE WITH YOU! F RO M C O O L I N G S

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Cuttings Vouchers with ...

02 Sep - 30 Sep 2019 Half Price (Normally £10.99 each) Chrysanthemum Trixi Trio Pot 5 litre 3 colours in 1 pot!

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 02 Sep – 30 Sep 2019 inclusive. 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.

02 Sep - 30 Sep 2019 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

Daffodil Narcissus Tete-a-Tete 10 Pack FREE (Worth £1.99)

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 02 Sep – 30 Sep 2019 inclusive. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. One free item only per household.

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

02 Sep - 27 Sep 2019 (excl. Fri 13 Sep)

Buy One Get One HALF PRICE

Soup & Rustic Bread Valid Monday – Friday between 11.30am and 3pm only.

Valid in Arthurs,The Gardener’s Café,The Hybrid Tea Rooms. See below of location details.

Offer valid 02 Sep – 27 Sep 2019, excluding Fri 13 Sep 2019.

Valid once per voucher. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

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

01 Oct - 31 Oct 2019

Any Acer

£5 OFF Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 01 Oct – 31 Oct 2019 inclusive. 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.

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.

02 Sep - 30 Sep 2019

Any Ceratostigma Shrub 2&3 litre £5 OFF Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 02 Sep – 30 Sep 2019 inclusive. 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.

02 Sep - 30 Sep 2019 Only £2.99 Johnston &

Jeff Mixed Suet Pellets 1kg 40% OFF (was £4.99) Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 02 Sep – 30 Sep 2019 inclusive. 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.

01 Oct - 31 Oct 2019

Dianthus Festival Mix Multi-Pack FREE (no purchase necessary) (Worth £3.99 each)

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 01 Oct – 31 Oct 2019 inclusive. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. One FREE item only per household. For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

01 Oct - 31 Oct 2019 Only £2 Pick ‘n’ Mix Tulip Bulbs (small loose bag)

SAVE £2.99

(Was £4.99)

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 01 Oct – 31 Oct 2019 inclusive. 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.

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.

01 Oct - 31 Oct 2019

TWO ‘Special’ Main Meals for £15.00 Valid Monday – Thursday between 11.30am and 3pm only.

Valid in Arthurs only. See below for location details.

Offer valid 01 Oct – 31 Oct 2019 inclusive. Valid once per voucher. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Subject to availability. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

01 Nov - 30 Nov 2019

01 Oct - 31 Oct 2019

Any Hot Drink and Any Slice of Cake Only £3.50

Valid Monday – Sunday between 10am and 4pm only.

Valid in The Gardeners Café and The Hybrid Tea Rooms Only (NOT valid in Arthurs). See below for location details.

Offer valid 01 Oct – 31 Oct 2019 inclusive. Valid once per voucher. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Subject to availability. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

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

01 Nov - 30 Nov 2019

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

All Conifers 1 litre Buy One Get One FREE

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

FREE Half Hardy Cyclamen 10.5cm Pot (Worth £2.99) Offer valid 01 Nov – 30 Nov 2019 inclusive. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. One FREE item only per household.

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

01 Nov - 30 Nov 2019

Smart Cool Flame Silhouette Lantern 50% OFF (Was £19.99, Now £9.99)

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 01 Nov – 30 Nov 2019 inclusive. 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.

01 Dec - 31 Dec 2019

Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ 3 litre Fragrant and Winter Flowering £5 OFF

Offer valid 01 Nov – 30 Nov 2019 inclusive. 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.

01 Nov – 28 Nov 2019

Two Seedling Breakfasts for £9.90

Valid Monday – Friday between 9am and 11am only.

Valid in Arthurs only. For location details please see below.

Offer valid 01 Nov – 28 Nov 2019. Valid once per voucher.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Subject to availability. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption.

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

01 Dec - 31 Dec 2019

4 for the price of 3 on Kiln Dried Logs, Kindling, Heat Logs or Coal (Kiln Dried Logs £5.99 each,

(Normally £15.99, Now £10.99)

Kindling Wood Super Pack £3.99, Heat Logs 12 pack £5.99, and Smokeless Fuel 10kg Bag £5.99). Cheapest item is free.

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre,Wych Cross.

Offer valid 01 Dec – 31 Dec 2019 inclusive. 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.

02 Dec - 08 Dec & 14 - 23 Dec 2019

HALF PRICE Hot Drink SAVE up to £3 Valid Monday – Sunday between 9am and 3pm only. Valid for up to 2 people per voucher in a single transaction.

Valid in Arthurs,The Gardener’s Café,The Hybrid Tea Rooms. See below of location details.

Offer valid 02 Dec – 08 Dec & 14 – 23 Dec 2019. Valid for up to 2 people per voucher in a single transaction. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability. Only valid on presentation of your Coolings Family Card at time of redemption. For full Terms & Conditions please see www.coolings.co.uk.

Offer valid 01 Dec – 31 Dec 2019 inclusive. 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.

During December, enjoy 10% off any cut or potted Christmas tree or real foliage Christmas wreathes

(No voucher required just present your family card at the tills).

Available at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre, Wych Cross.

Coolings has cafés and restaurants at all of our sites and offers may vary. Please check voucher before redemption as not all food and drink offers are available at all sites. Arthurs is at Coolings The Gardeners Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Knockholt. The Gardeners Café is at Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted. The Hybrid Tea Rooms is at Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre, Wych Cross.

trio

A of Gardening Greats Disco

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Your chance to hear from some of the ‘gardening greats’ as we welcome Peter Seabrook MBE, Steve Bradley and Val Bourne to Coolings on the 5th September 2019. Our trio of experts will share their tips, give advice and answer your questions.

A must for all budding gardeners and garden enthusiasts!

‘Making the Most of Bulbs’

by Steve Bradley MHort (RHS) 11am-12pm Join Steve as he covers all things bulbs! He will cover everything from his favourite combinations and varieties to tips on planting, layering and caring for bulbs.

Steve is a career horticulturist who spent almost 30 years teaching horticulture at every level, from amateur up to degree. Appearing in the TV series Plant Life and Garden Doctors in the early 90s led to a second career writing books, magazine articles and the support booklets for the hugely successful BBC series ‘Ground Force’ along with wife Val (also a qualified horticulturist).

Between them they now have over 50 gardening books to their names.

These days, Steve answers live questions on alternate Sunday mornings for BBC Radio Kent, as well as making guest appearances on BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey.

He and Val are Gardening Correspondents for the Sun newspaper every Saturday.

Arthurs restaurant will be open as usual from 9am, serving our summer menu (breakfast 9-11am / lunch 11.30am-3pm) with scones, cakes & pastries from our bakery.

For this event Arthurs will also be open for a dinner menu between 4-5.30pm, Booking is essential for evening meals (Arthurs will remain open until 6pm for tea/coffee & cakes).

To book your table, contact the restaurant team on 01959 532269.

Don’t forget you can also pre-book an afternoon tea between 2.30-4pm, which may be a good choice if you are planning on attending the afternoon session.

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‘My Favourite Bomb-Proof Roses’

by Val Bourne 2pm-3pm

Val is an award-winning garden writer, photographer and lecturer. A committed organic gardener all her life, she writes for many publications including The Daily Telegraph and the Hardy Plant Society Journal, she judges RHS floral and dahlia trials and loves growing roses.

As an organic gardener, she has to choose roses very carefully because they have to be healthy, vigorous and disease-free, all grown in her Cotswolds garden at Spring Cottage.

Val is going to talk about her top ten roses and how she uses them in her planting. Combinations include herbaceous peonies as the perfect partner, both have fullypetalled flowers so they don’t sustain insects. Surrounding roses and peonies with insect-friendly plants like astrantias, scabious, well-behaved hardy geraniums etc. helps to keep them healthy and gives flower from May until October.

Val will also cover pruning and feeding.

‘A Lifetime of Growing Plants’

by Peter Seabrook MBE 6.30pm-7.30pm Writer and broadcaster Peter started with the BBC Radio Home Service in 1965. He has presented gardening programmes on BBC 1 (Pebble Mill at One), BBC 2 (Gardeners World), Chelsea Flower Show, WGBH, Boston, (The Victory Garden coast to coast in the States for 20 years) and has been the Gardening Editor for The Sun for over 40 years.

Two of his books, Complete Vegetable Gardener and Shrubs for Your Garden (the latter set to music and premiered in Sydney Opera House), have been published in more than ten languages.

In his session Peter will share his secret to successful gardening.

The garden centre and shop will be open to evening session ticket holders for after-hours plant sales from 5pm until 6.15pm.

Each session lasts for 1 hour, followed by questions and answers. Tea, coffee and water refreshments are available and included in the ticket price.

TICKETS FOR EACH SESSION

£7.50

ARE

per person

WE

ARE OFFERING 2 SESSION S FOR £12 To book tickets for any of the speakers visit www.coolings.co.uk/events To book for the evening menu option or afternoon tea please call Arthurs Restaurant on 01959 532269.

For further information call 01959 532269 or email coolings@coolings.co.uk.

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Feeling If you are looking to start up a new hobby with your children or grandchildren, or you want to simply get them out of the house and away from technology for a while, why not try encouraging them to grow their own fruit? Growing fruit at home is rewarding, fun, nutritious and allows

Fruity!

us to try delicious varieties often not available in the shops. It is also a great way for adults to experiment with new culinary experiences and to get children to try new things – they are more likely to try something if they’ve grown it themselves!

Words by

Carol Harvey-Lewis

OUR FULL SOFT FRUIT RANGE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN STORE FROM OCTOBER

Here are a few of our favourites: Blackberry ‘Merton Thornless’ Enjoy blackberry picking without the prickles – ideal for kids!

Autumn fruiting Raspberry ‘All Gold’ Has distinctive, rich, golden coloured berries and a sweet flavour.

Something a bit different!

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Redcurrent ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ Try making your own redcurrant jelly!

Blackurrant ‘Big Ben’ Huge fruit and extremely sweet flavour.

Loganberry and Tayberry

Jostaberry This cross between a blackcurrant and a gooseberry is delicious eaten fresh or stewed.

Easy to freeze.

Blueberry ‘Northland’ Easy to grow super-fruit.

Great grown in a pot with acid (ericaceous) compost.

Mulberry ‘Chelsea’

These are hybrids between a blackberry and a raspberry and produce really yummy berries!

Tayberries have larger and sweeter fruit and Loganberries a more tart grown up taste.

If you have space and patience then try growing a Mulberry tree.

‘Chelsea’ is an early fruiting variety with a delicious winey flavour.

Gooseberry ‘Hinnonmaki Red’ Large, sweet, red berries ideal for home cooking.

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Words by

Sandra C alifano

Tthweemetright!

This is a lovely time of year to watch the birds.

Here are some tips on how to encourage them.

1

A good multi mix of seed is vital.

Cheap mixes tend to have more millet etc which the birds throw out. Keep the feeders replenished all year round, not just in winter.

Birds have phases when they don’t eat as much from feeders, because there is more fresh natural food about. Different birds like certain foods i.e. Nyger is favoured by Finches, peanuts by Blue Tits and Woodpeckers.

2

Fill more than one feeder i.e. nuts, suet.

A feeder with a cage or spring loaded will be used by small birds when they realise that the large birds and squirrels can’t get to the food.

Squirrel Buster, £27.99

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3

Provide water. A shallow bird bath is ideal so they can wash and drink, or better still have a pond. They need to wash their feathers on a regular basis to keep them in tip top condition. However, make sure there is a gentle slope in ponds.

4

Site items near shrubbery, so they have a quick escape route from predators. Cats can jump quite high so keep feeders high up.

5

Avoid using chemical pesticides. Try and use natural methods i.e. Slug Gone or copper tape to protect plants. This keeps the geological balance so there is plenty of natural food about and you can still enjoy your plants.

Skimmia ‘Pabella’

A fantastic self-fertile introduction that makes a lovely compact shrub and is ideally grown in a pot in ericaceous compost. Packed with glossy red berries through autumn and winter which the birds love.

6

Offer a variety of nest boxes. Site them between 1.5m and 5m high, facing North through East, to South East so as to avoid hottest sun, prevailing cold winds and rain. Cedar boxes although more expensive, will last a long time due to the natural oils in the timber.

8 Check food regularly in case it has clogged near ports. Keep feeders clean by washing in one part vinegar and nine parts water every two weeks.

Make sure the area below feeder is kept clean. This will help to keep your bird population healthy and stop the spread of disease between species.

9

Help to protect against predators such as cats, by keeping area below feeders free of shrubs where they can hide. Use metal hole protectors over the nest box holes to stop squirrels gnawing in.

10 Cedar Nest Box, £26.99

7

Grow plants which attract birds such as teasels, hawthorn, cotoneaster and skimmia, so the birds have a healthy diet.

If you have a dog or cat then leaving their fur in the garden after they have been groomed, is greatly appreciated by birds as nesting material in spring.

In essence think of your garden as a mini nature reserve as the more wildlife you encourage the better the eco system.

FFRO ROMM CCOOOOLLI INNGGSS

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Enjoy a Personalised Shopping Experience at Coolings Book a Slot Give us a call and speak to a member of the team, who will book you in with one of our experts. Alternatively email markreeve@coolings.co.uk.

BOOKING NOW OPEN!

Bespoke Shopping Experience Enjoy a one-to-one shopping experience with a horticultural expert. Gain helpful hints and tips to maximise the potential of your outdoor space.

Call for more information:

01959 532269

Try our Planting Service Enjoyed a wonderful shopping experience at Coolings, but don’t want ot get your hands dirty?

Why not have us deliver and plant your purchases.

*Your experience must be booked in advance. All dates are subject to availability. The booked slot is only for a one hour duration.

Theatre in the Garden Entertainment for the whole family performed in our display garden...

Saturday 7th September 2019

Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves!

Adapted by Oliver Gray

Packed with cliff-hangers, larger-than-life characters, and laughs galore. Plus, there’s lots to join in with and the most magical cave you’ve ever seen!

For more information and bookings see www.coolings.co.uk/events

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Disco

BOOKING

NEW TO 2019!

Pre-order our Picnic Box full of freshly (homemade in Arthurs) items to enjoy during the performance.

NOW OPEN!

Christmas in Christmas Lunch

We hope you will be joining us for Christmas lunch in December, it is always lovely to celebrate the festive season with so many of our customers and their families and friends.

Our team of chefs and bakers have spent the last few months trialling and sourcing the best ingredients to create a delicious three-course menu that will really tickle your festive taste buds, followed by tea/coffee.

Only £28 per person.

Christmas lunches will begin on Monday 9th through to Friday 13th December (sitting times are 12pm, 12.30pm, 1pm and 1.30pm).

We will be taking Christmas lunch bookings from Monday 2nd September 2019 either in-store or by post. Menu and booking forms will be available to download at www.coolings.co.uk from the 2nd September. A £13.00 per person non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.

Christmas Afternoon Tea

If you don’t fancy a full-on lunch why not indulge in our special Christmas themed Afternoon Tea. Available on 16th and 17th December only, so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.

Only £20 per person.

Served from 1pm – 3pm. Coolings Afternoon Tea gift vouchers are not valid on this special Christmas themed Afternoon Tea. Bookings taken from Monday 2nd September 2019 either in-store or by post. Booking forms will be available to download at www.coolings.co.uk from the 2nd September. A £10.00 per person non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.

Arthurs restaurant is based at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Kent.TN14 7NN. Unfortunately full christmas lunch is not currently available at ‘The Gardener’s Cafe - Bearsted’ or ‘The Hybrid Tea Room - Wych Cross’.

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The Coolings Commitment to the Environment

Words by

Becky Malcolm

We are proud to announce that we won the Commitment to the Environment Award at this year’s Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA).

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As many of you know, Coolings Nurseries has been committed to the environment since opening in Knockholt in 1913. Our goal has always been to minimise our environmental impact, reduce road miles and increase our use of renewable resources.

We are always seeking to innovate; we make use of both traditional and modern technologies in search of environmentally friendly solutions.

With one of the largest selections of plants available in the UK, mostly all are grown on site, we are doing our best to reduce our carbon footprint, our team of horticulturists grow quality plants in our own nursery.

We are very conscious of water consumption and conservation and have installed two on-site reservoirs, these hold the equivalent of six Olympic sized swimming pools worth of rainwater (approximately 1.3 million gallons), we installed pumps, pipes, gully’s and guttering on all our buildings, glasshouses and polythene tunnels to collect rainwater and run off from on-site irrigation, this is then pumped back into the reservoirs for reuse.

We also use drip irrigation and sub irrigation extensively, so our plants take up their water requirement through a capillary action, using less water and only the water they need, which creates less dependent, stronger and healthier plants and means the site is less dependent on tap water.

Single use plastic - Coolings, alongside the rest of the horticultural fraternity have been looking at sustainable alternatives to single use plastics in our industry. The black plant pots currently used by garden centres contain carbon black pigment, which hinders recycling processes, therefore local authorities have been unable to recycle these.

In 2018 recyclable taupe pots were introduced, these use a carbon black pigment free polypropylene which solves the issue.

We are transferring from our black pots and will complete this move over to these new recyclable pots within 12 months. We are now lobbying our local council to accept the new pots for domestic recycling.

We have also launched the first public plastic pot recycling scheme, placing two large containers for pot collection in the main car park, customers can return all their plastic plant pots and we are aiming to recycle over 20 tonnes per year.

We aim to lead by example, and recycle over 90% of our on-site waste to ensure the bare minimum is sent to landfill. Last year, this included 20 tonnes of cardboard and two shipping containers worth of green waste. And plastic plant pots accounted for 14.4 tonnes of the 19 tonnes of plastic the business recycled in 2017.

Reducing the ‘carbon footprint’ of our products means we source locally and organically wherever possible. Our retail partners are all expected to operate to the same standards when it comes to environmental impact – we like to work with companies who source responsibly and check for credentials such as Forest Stewardship Council certified wooden furniture, looking for goods that are sustainably produced, reclaimed and re-purposed wherever possible. We even supply the fruit and veg to Arthur’s, using our ‘plot to plate’ greenhouse as well as other local produce.

Environmental awareness, sensory planting and encouraging habitat for wildlife is promoted in our community and schools, and we benefit from the support of our customers, who have embraced the schemes, as well as the support of the community.

So thanks to your contributions we are now aiming to become the greenest garden centre in the UK. For more details of our Environmental Pledge please visit the website.

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Opening times Aug to Oct Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm Sunday 10am to 4pm Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Monday to Sunday 10am to 4pm www.koiwaterbarn.com info@koiwaterbarn.com www.koiwaterbarn.co.uk

Koi Water Barn pond maintenance services With the winter approaching why not have Koi Water Barn come and prepare your pond or water feature ready for the winter months.

Koi Water Barn are able to offer all of the following call out services: • Pond cleans • Health advice • Holiday cover • Filter upgrades • Filter design • Pond planting regimes • Full pond design • Pond winterisation (Oct/Nov) • Pond pre-season health check (Feb/March) • Access to the leaders in pond builds and koi pond construction Please call us on 01689 878 161 to book us in for any of these services, be it now or for a spring overhaul in early 2020!

Japanese Tamabasa Goldfish

Dates for your diary…

Saturday 28th September Bonsai Masterclass with Serge Tasic Preparing your Bonsai for winter £5.00 entry - refundable off any purchases made on the day day.

End of season offers on water plants throughout September.

Large selection still in stock.

Sunday 8th September -

Sunday 24th November -

Late summer Auction viewing from 10am Auction 12noon

Winter / End of year auction Viewing from 10am Auction 12noon

Saturday 12th October Behind the scenes at Koi Water Barn!! A morning tour explaining what we do and giving you an insight into restricted areas.

Starts 10am. Limited spaces so please call to book.

Date to be confirmed Auction off all of the koi in the Feed the Fish pond.

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Enjoy 20% OFF ALL Spring Bulbs W I T H Y O U R C O O L I N G S FA M I LY C A R D

Friday 30th Aug Sunday 1st Sep 2019 (inclusive).

“Offer valid at Coolings The Gardener’s Garden Centre, Rushmore Hill, Coolings Potted Garden Nursery, Bearsted and Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre, Wych Cross”.

Visit Us...

Coolings The Gardener's Garden Centre Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7NN T: 01959 532269 E: rushmorehill@coolings.co.uk W: www.coolings.co.uk Coolings Potted Garden Nursery Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 4NH T: 01622 737801 Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5JW. T: 01342 822705 Coolings Green & Pleasant Main Road, Knockholt, Kent, TN14 7LJ T: 01959 534386 E: mainroad@coolings.co.uk W: www.coolingsgreenandpleasant.co.uk

Opening Times Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 9am - 4.30pm (Opening times at Coolings Potted Garden

Nursery, Coolings Wych Cross Garden Centre and Coolings Green & Pleasant may vary).

Follow Us...

Twitter @CoolingsGC Facebook/coolingsnurseries Instagram coolingsgardencentre

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.