Tom Butterworth Gardening Services

03/02/2022

It's a bad idea to plant bamboo directly in the ground: it's invasive, can cause structural damage, and can be a nightmare to remove once it's established.

The invasive plant is highly aggressive and is actually one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet

10/11/2021

I was so focused on the task at hand that I forgot to take a "before" picture before pruning
this tall cherry tree which was about to interfere with telephone wires! I think the four full bins and large pile of branches left over speak for themselves, however.
If you have small trees or bushes which you want pruned according to proper horticultural technique, let me know!

11/10/2021

Funghi are a great indicator of a healthy ecosystem. I found these four examples in Sale and Stretford. They contribute to soil health, breaking down debris into a form that plants can consume. They can form symbiotic relationships with plants, and their roots (or 'mycelium') stretch large distances. "No dig" gardening prevents damage to these networks of mycelium, which can lock up a significant amount of carbon.

Get in touch if you want me to create a wildlife friendly garden for you! 🌻🍄🌳

17/09/2021

Sometimes Facebook messenger has errors which prevent me from responding to messages - if I don't get back to you, please give me a call or text on 07434953730!📱📞☎️🌳🌺🌻

27/08/2021

15 minutes work can make a big difference, as with this weed-ridden flower bed in Chorlton!

20/08/2021

I have a stock of organically home-grown edible and wildlife-friendly plants which I can provide at a reasonable cost, and plant them in for you, too! I have a range of herbs which I have propagated myself - here you can see thyme, rosemary, mint, marjoram and lemonbalm.

Send me a message if you're interested!

17/08/2021

Last year I created this edible, wildlife friendly garden for David. This year I came back to help tidy up and found the garden had come to life: I found multiple types of bees, a (one legged) frog, and this striking red beetle!

Let me know if you want me to create something similar for you!

12/08/2021

If you're looking to spruce up your outdoor space, especially to create wildlife-friendly and edible gardens, get in touch! I have years of experience and an RHS Level 2 in Practical Horticulture. I have public liability insurance and am a licensed waste carrier.

I am also offering tailored therapeutic horticulture sessions for vulnerable adults such as those with dementia and their carers. Working with plants is known to improve mental health and wellbeing, with sensory experiences and practical tasks helping to keep the mind and body active. I have extensive experience of working with vulnerable adults, have an active DBS certificate and have completed safeguarding training. Get in touch if this interests you and we can arrange a trial session.

08/12/2020

We were given this living Christmas tree in January after someone found it dumped on the street. It was in a bag, in a pot which was much too small, inside another pot! It was so constricted that it was impossible to remove, and its roots had burst through the sides. I had to cut away the internal pot and remove some of the roots before transplanting it into a bigger container. It took a while to recover from it's surgery, but we were delighted when it finally grew new leaves in the summer (though it's still a bit bald on top)! Now it's decorated in pride of place in the front yard, and it will grow with us for many years to come.

12/11/2020

I may be a nerd, but I get very excited when I see this many worms in the compost heap! This compost is a mixture of mainly leaves, grass cuttings and turf, resulting in a great balance of carbon, nitrogen and minerals which are necessary for healthy soil. The worms eat the decaying plant matter and break it down so that the nutrients become available for plants to take up through their roots.

I'd love to help you to build a compost heap in your garden, so you can have your own supply of top-quality plant food! I try to use reclaimed materials wherever possible: pallet boards are ideal for a big compost heap, or this smaller one was made with a lot of long branches.

09/11/2020

We had a great harvest at Dunsterville House this year. Around 40 pounds of potatoes, as well as many carrots, beetroot, beans, peas, cabbages, spring onions and more. I supported tenants to plant a lot of these early this year, and I'm very proud that they got to enjoy lots of fresh veg and a giant pot of healthy, homegrown vegetable stew.
If you'd like a similar harvest for yourself next year, or if you work with vulnerable adults who would benefit from growing their own veg, I'd love to help you out! Now is a good time to build planters and raised beds in preparation for planting next spring.

28/09/2020

One of my favourite parts of this job is bringing colour to gardens where it was previously lacking. I've added over 60 colourful bedding plants to Viv's garden, and created this feature with some plant pots and a bunch of old bricks. Now it looks gorgeous, as well as providing food and habitats for endangered bees and bugs.