My Fabulous Garden

17/06/2026

I love germination!

It's such a remarkable thing. Astonishing and addictive!

I've been doing a few trials lately with using kitchen towel, water and a dark place for my seed tray (tupperware is ideal, so long as there is some airflow).

The photo is lettuce seeds, which germinated after 3 days. Carefully transplant into pots with compost and keep moist - that's all you have to do. When they are "teenagers", transplant to the garden in a sunny spot.

Within a few weeks these tiny seeds will have grown over 300,000 times their original weight to become a full grown lettuce that you can eat. Healthy, organic and very easy to do - and very cost effective given the rising cost of food.

Try it for yourself and teach your kids how to do it too - so they get to experience the wonderment of germination while creating good healthy foods. Home grown lettuce tastes amazing and is very quick to prepare for the table.

Spoiler alert - The seed does all the work, but don't feel guilty for being proud of your achievement! :-)

15/06/2026

If you have a wild flower area or border that is missing it's zing, add in a few naturalistic perennials to create some structure and focal points of key colours.

Here's my suggestions to transform it from lackluster to fabulous...

Foxgloves
Ox Eye Daisies
Annual Sunflowers
Poppies (field and oriental)
Fennel
Corn Marigold
Teasel
Yarrow
Phacelia
Valerian
Cornflower
Salvia 'Amistad'
Scabious

Alfreton Gardener Gallery - images of local Alfreton Gardens

09/06/2026

Leave it alone!

A Californian Lilac is one shrub I would recommend every garden to have. You can grow it as a bushy shrub or as a small feature tree. It will grow in clay soil, if you add some amendments to ensure the ground is free draining - it doesn't do well in wet soil conditions and shelter it from any wind too.

There are few blossoms that have such an amazing iridescence - up close, in the sunlight, with a gentle breeze to move it about it's simply a mesmerising sight of blues, white and silver that glimmers and shines like a disco mirror ball. One of those times when you experience wonderment of nature when it blossoms in late spring. Best viewed first hand - it doesn't photograph well.

It's a semi evergreen, so it keeps colour, structure and form in the winter months. Often slow growing to begin with, but once the roots establish, it can grow relatively well in a sunnier location.

It is highly temperamental, but don't let that put you off. Take time and care planting it in the right location and then leave it well alone - it really doesn't like pruning. Minimal contact is what it likes best - so... Leave it alone! You'll be glad you did, because one day, it just might be your favourite plant in the garden.

Bees absolutely love it! So do I! :-)

23/05/2026

☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

My 7 Top Tips for Watering

With a heatwave forecast of possibly record breaking temperatures, get a head start and water now before temperatures peak.

You can reduce heat stress for lawns and planting by giving everything a really good soaking.

7 Top Tips for Watering.....💧💦💧💦💧💦💧💦💧💦💧💧

1 - Water before the hot weather stresses your plants
2 - Water in the morning
3 - Drench the roots, not the leaves
4 - Don't forget the lawn
5 - Place trays or saucers under pots and containers
6 - Mulch plants to lock in moisture
7 - Use rainwater where possible

💖Top Tip - Hose pipe in one hand, a drink in the other.

Happy .........💧💦💧💦💧💦💧💦💧 🙂

14/05/2026

Lawn Care is a continual goal...

The seasons dictate the working conditions and you have to adapt your plan to attain success. It takes time and patience.

This narrow stretch of lawn has had a w**d treatment, a moss treatment and a feed in recent weeks. Today it was scarified to create the right conditions for over-seeding. I used a new blend of strong and fine creeping fescues which I trialled last year in the poly tunnel.

New shoots will emerge in about 3 weeks time and good health will be restored in about 8 weeks, ready for a summer time cut.

If your lawn needs some love and attention, get in touch via my dedicated Lawn Care website to learn more about how I can help you.

https://myfabulouslawn.co.uk/

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08/05/2026

When life presents challenges, it's your response that matters.

When I'm creating a garden it takes time - I started this one back in September 2017.

It evolves every season and as it does, it provides a fabulous sanctuary that my clients can indulge in and be at peace within. It's a space for thinking, contemplation and planning.

On the good days, it's a place of beauty, for fun, togetherness and laughter. It's not made of plastic, it's natural, restorative and healing and it inspires your interest in life - the birds that visit, the busy bees, butterflies, the flowers and edible fruits and veg and the small creatures that enjoy the space too.

Get in touch for a free consultation if you need a fabulous garden in your life...

https://www.myfabulousgarden.co.uk/

07/05/2026

01/05/2026

Let me help you create a well cared for property, always tidy and presentable, that looks good every season, has bags of kerb appeal and interesting features throughout.

My service is for clients who wish to invest in their outside spaces.

I provide Garden Design, Garden Maintenance, Planting Schemes. Garden Improvements, Property Maintenance & Lawn Care Services covering Alfreton & DE55 area.

To view other properties I manage or if you wish to get in touch for a free consultation...

https://www.myfabulousgarden.co.uk/

27/04/2026

Spring 2026 started early...

I can't believe how quickly this Spring has gone this year.

This circular succession planting I created a few years ago has seen the Snowdrops, Daffodils, Grape Hyacinths and now the Tulips fading away to make way for the summer bulbs and perennials to come through.

How time flies when you're having fun :-)

Get in touch for a free consultation if you need a bit of fabulous in your garden...

https://www.myfabulousgarden.co.uk/

20/04/2026

A lawn to be proud of...

Spring temperatures are rising, which means it's a good time to get your lawn back into good health for the season.

This Shirland rear garden lawn was treated a few weeks ago and has just had a scarification to remove thatch, unwanted w**ds and moss. It's now ready for over-seeding.

If your lawn needs some love and attention, get in touch for a free chat about improving your lawn health.

https://www.myfabulousgarden.co.uk/inspirational-lawns/

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