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.

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Upcoming Events

  • February
    09

    Lecture -Saul Walker – Stonelands House: A Year in the Life of this Wonderful Secret Garden

    Saul Walker fell in love with gardening as a result of his grandparents’ passion for visiting historic houses and gardens. 

    After a brief spell as an archaeologist, he trained as a gardener for the National Trust at Antony House in Cornwall. 

    After completing the Kew Diploma in Botanical Horticulture, Saul travelled to Australia, Southern Spain and the French Riviera to study and work in internationally-renowned gardens. 

    Following that, he became Show Manager for RHS Chelsea. 

    Unable to resist the call back to his native Devon, Saul was appointed Head Gardener of Stonelands House. His special interest is in woodland gardens

    Join Saul for this lecture via Zoom on Tuesday 9th February at 7:30pm.

  • March
    09

    Lecture - Juliet Sargeant – Modern Slavery Garden

    Juliet’s previous career in medicine informs her unique approach to designing gardens and communicating the importance of landscape to our wellbeing. She believes that access to good quality green space is a priority for healthy living and happy communities, especially in cities.

    In 2016, Juliet designed the Modern Slavery Garden for RHS Chelsea – its first social campaign garden – for which she was awarded a Gold Medal and the People’s Choice Prize.

    Fellowships of The Society of Garden Designers and The Landscape Institute followed in 2017 and 2020.

    Juliet has been celebrated as a role model in the BAME community at the GG2 Leadership Awards and presents on BBC Gardeners’ World and Channel 4’s Village of the Year.

    At her Sussex Garden School, she teaches design and planting to gardening enthusiasts.

    Join Juliet on Zoom on Tuesday 9th March at 7:30pm