Tips for spring & early summer from Gary Long, Head Gardener at Trewithen

Head gardener at Trewithen Gardens, Gary Long, provides you with his top tips for trees and shrubs in spring and early summer:

  1. Mulch using organic matter to help prevent weeds and retain moisture.
  2. Feed trees, shrubs and roses with a balanced fertilizer such as Growmore or blood fish and bone. With Rhododendron pay attention NOT to mulch right up the stem/trunk. This could kill the plant, leave at least a 10 cm (4") gap.
  3. Check tree ties regularly to make sure they are not too tight and digging in or worked loose over the winter.
  4. Keep weeds under control, little and often is the key.
  5. Tie in climbing and rambling roses, making sure the stem is bent around the support to increase the chance of new shoots producing flowers lower down the stem.

Lawn care:

  1. Mow regularly lowering the height of cut gradually to the summer height.
  2. If composting clippings, spread in thin layers to speed up the composting process.
  3. Use "feed and weed" products to eliminate weeds and encourage lush new green growth.
  4. Edge lawns with either shears or a "Half moon".

Member's Gardens

Members' Gardens

Our members have some truly beautiful and interesting gardens. Take a look to see some of the wonderful things growing.

Become a Member

You can take out CGS membership as an individual or as a family and there are lots of benefits.

Upcoming Events

  • July
    11

    Self-drive visit to Kestle Barton, Manaccan; The Potager, High Cross, Constantine and Tregonning, Carleen, Breage

    Self-drive visit to Kestle Barton, Manaccan; The Potager, High Cross, Constantine and Tregonning, Carleen, Breage

    Run by Karen Townsend and Ryya Bread, Kestle Barton is a restored ancient farmstead and gallery above Frenchman’s Creek. The garden was created in the south-facing mowhay by James Alexander-Sinclair whose plantsman’s scheme of gauzy swathes of herbaceous plants and sweeping grasses surround a space for sitting and dreaming. Beyond is the meadow with its ever-changing carpet of wild flowers and adjacent orchard.

    During lunch at The Potager, Mark Harris will describe how this charming haven emerged from a bramble-choked wilderness.

    Andrew and Kathryn Eaton’s sculpted grass meadow at Tregonning takes in panoramic views from Carn Brea to Helston. There are leaf-shaped beds, a stream and pond, a summerhouse, carp pond, fernery and packed vegetable garden.

    To download a booking form for this self-drive visit, please click here.

  • July
    16

    Day trip by coach to Durslade Farm Garden and Gallery, Bruton and National Trust Barrington Court, Ilminster, Somerset

    At the home of Hauser & Wirth, we will enjoy a tour of the Gallery and Piet Oudolf’s wonderful perennial meadow where 17 beds of naturalistic European plants are divided by grass walkways. There is a feeling of relaxed freedom as the garden links to the green landscape beyond. Bold groups of carefully chosen perennials provide endless interest.

    The garden at National Trust Barrington Court was created by Colonel Arthur Lyle where he followed a layout and planting scheme suggested by Gertrude Jekyll. Various walled gardens contain iris, roses and lilies. The kitchen garden has been in continuous production for more than 90 years.

    Our booking form will be available in March.