Gardening Guides


	Composting
	Garden compost is plant matter such as kitchen waste, hedge clippings, grass cuttings, cardboard etc that has decomposed and become an important supply of home made compost suitable for top dressing, potting compost, soil improver and more. Compost plays a huge part of everyday horticulture, farming and more so nowadays in household gardening. Generally people who compost now do not use heaps or have parts of their land specifically for compost as compost bins are readily available. Compost bins work just as well as long as the produce that goes into them is suitable.




	Shade Loving Plants
	Almost everyone has a bit of shade in the garden, this could be shade cast by buildings, trees, fencing or simply the positioning of your garden but don't see this as a problem, there are a wide range of trees, shrubs and plants available that will do very well in this mostly overlooked area.




	Alpines & Low Growing Rockery Plants
	Alpines grow at high altitudes and are usually very small plants that are used to growing in extreme temperatures. They are usually hardy and may be evergreen woody plants, deciduous or herbaceous. They can grow from tubers, corns or bulbs and there are almost no annuals. In the wild alpines survive cold climates by using their size to their advantage.




	Japanese Gardening
	In Japanese culture gardening is an art form, a tradition to be passed down through the generations. Books by Zen monks have been published outlining the sacred act of garden making. Japanese gardens often contain architecture, a central structure, usually their home from which the garden can be looked at. Elements such as water, rocks, bridges or stepping stones are often found in traditional Japanese gardens too.




	Keeping Chickens
	Chickens are a great low maintenance easy pet to have in your garden. They will supply you with eggs that are lovely and fresh and taste great. All they need is fresh clean water and food.




	Conifers
	Conifers provide a wide range of colours, shapes, sizes and textures and can make your garden visually attractive all year round. With such a wide selection to choose from you are sure to find the perfect type for your garden. The word 'conifer' is Latin for 'cone bearing'. Conifers are woody plants and many are trees. They can be used in flower arrangements, in borders, rock gardens and on slopes. Use them as ground cover or hedges, or simply on their own for a wonderful display.




	Britain in Bloom
	RHS Britain in Bloom is one of the largest horticultural campaigns in Europe with the year round aim of creating a more beautiful Britain. Entrants compete against each other within their area and then selected communities are nominated to compete against each other in the RHS UK finals. RHS Britain in Bloom encourages cities, towns and villages to make the UK a more beautiful place to live through imaginative planting, cleanliness, sustainability and community effort.




	Garden Bird Identifier
	What birds are visiting your garden? Here's a list of the most popular UK garden birds. Full descriptions and colour photographs make it easy to find out your frequent visitors.




	Growing Apples
	Choosing which apple to grow depends entirely on where it will be planted. Large gardens means you can choose a variety that will grow very tall and have lots of produce. Maintenance on large trees is quite big though and pruning will involve the use of ladders. For pots and containers etc dwarf varieties are the best option. They will still give you a harvest albeit not as large as a fully grown tree, but you will be able to place more varieties next to each other. Pots containing apple trees are extremely decorative too and will brighten up a patio area.




	Soil - A gardeners guide
	Minute particles of organic matter, weathered rock and plant and animal life is what makes up the soil that we all know and use. Plant growth depends on us using the very best soil for the job. Soil supports plants and provides them with nutrients, air and water. Not having the right kind of soil to hand does not mean that it cannot be adapted to suit your needs. Waterlogged soil can be drained and vice versa.




	Bulbs, Corms, Tubers & Rhizomes
	The use of bulbs in a garden is almost paramount to any good display. Bulbous plants provide an array of displays from formal beds to mixed borders and in containers or underneath trees. Some bulbous plants are known for their grand foliage, others for their wonderful scent but almost all for their wonderful flowers.




	Organic Gardening
	The choice to go organic is a decision not to be taken lightly but the outcome of your decision can mean a great many things. A natural garden with no pesticides, chemicals or control other than what nature provides us with can be a wonderful thing. Your garden can become a haven for wildlife, plant problems can be solved in all manner of ways and you can have the satisfaction of growing your own herbs, fruit and vegetables knowing that they are purely natural.




	Hydroponics
	The word hydroponics is used to describe a method of growing plants in water with added nutrients. Plants grown in soil use the water they are given to dissolve the mineral nutrients in the soil which are then taken up by the roots. If the nutrients are already in the water then the soil becomes redundant.




	Gardening Clubs & Societies
	This page lists a selection of gardening clubs and societies from around the UK. Included are plant and flower clubs, wildlife societies and more.




	Conservation Charities
	Conservation is the careful management of change. It is about revealing and sharing the significance of places, habitats and wildlife ensuring that their special qualities are protected, enhanced, enjoyed and understood by present and future generations.




	Garden Laws
	This articlee is to be used as guidance only and is by no means exhaustive. Any problems are to be dealt with according to the law upheld by your local council. We advise that you seek professional legal help in any matter that cannot be resolved amicably. Let's Go Gardening will endeavour to update this information according to new legislation however we cannot be held responsible for actions taken based on the information given below. This page is meant as a short guide to garden law and may differ from your local council.