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

  • February
    11

    Lecture: Lady Skelmersdale – Where did your Garden Grow? Or Around the World in 80 Plants

    Christine, Lady Skelmersdale has been a passionate gardener since childhood. She has run bulb specialists, Broadleigh Gardens in Somerset for 45 years; holds the National Collection® of Alec Gray CVS daffodils and has exhibited extensively at RHS Chelsea.

    Christine has also been a member of the RHS Council for 12 years; President of the Friends of the Bristol Botanic Garden for seven years and Garden Advisor for RHS Garden, Rosemoor for 12 years.  She was also Chairman of the 2012-15 RHS trial of drumstick alliums.

    A regular contributor to RHS The Garden magazine, Christine is also the author of two books: Creative Gardening with Bulbs and A Gardener’s Guide to Bulbs.

    In 2009, Christine was presented with the Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) – the RHS’s highest award for services to horticulture.

    Join us on Tuesday 11th February at 7.30pm at The Alverton, Tregolls Road, Truro

  • February
    12

    Lecture: Lady Skelmersdale – Beat the Drum

    Lady Skelmersdale will join us on Wednesday 12th February at 2.30pm at St Mellion International Resort, Saltash where she shares her lecture ‘Beat the Drum’