Making A Difference - Garden Maintenance

30/05/2026

🌻’MAD’ in Saltburn

Lovely selections of plants from Longbeck Nurseries and The Wynd Fruitier to fill some pots ready for the summer.

I chose some annual bedding plants but also some perennials so that they can be used to fill gaps in the ground once their time in the containers is up! 🪴

14/05/2026

🌻🪴’MAD’ in Redcar

Out with the old and in with the Thriller(s), Filler and Spiller!

These pots are in a north facing location and so shade tolerant plants were selected.

🌺Thriller: Heuchera micrantha ‘Palace Purple’ and Fuschia Mariska
🌱Filler: Begonias x2
🌿Spiller: Chaenostoma cordatum 'Snowflake'

Plants from Longbeck Nurseries and Hills Plant Centre

10/05/2026

🌻’MAD’ in Redcar

Val is passionate about making her garden more wildlife friendly and so we are in the process of creating a barrel pond to attract plenty of creatures and critters! 🐸🪲🦅

As you can see this makes me very happy!

19/04/2026

📚🌻Record of courses attended

🌿1st April 2025:
Pruning Workshop led by Christina Fox at Apple Orchard Nursery

🌿16th September 2025 (ongoing):
RHS Level 2 Practical Horticulture at Askham-Bryan College in York

🌿4th February 2026:
Winter Tree Pruning Course led by Karen Greenwood and Jan Hoyland at Botton Village

10/04/2026

🌻’MAD’ in Marske

Did my best to restore this garden back to its former glory!

The client wanted some Japanese grass plants for the pots so they were planted up with Hakonechloa macra and Carex oshimensis 🌱

The Acer and Hostas from the pots were planted into the ground 🪏

The border was layered with cardboard and fresh compost to help keep the weeds at bay and nourish the soil ✔️

02/04/2026

🌻✂️Missing gardening tool of the week!

My fun (stressful) game of hide and seek continues…

If I’ve been in your garden recently please look out for a pair of bright red (!) Felco snips and give me a message if you find them 🙏🏼

Also, had a hand fork go walkabout but I think I know whose garden that is in! 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thanks 🫶🏼

01/04/2026

🌻‘MAD’ in Mickledales

First big planting job yesterday 😍

The brief for the bed was ‘something to make it look nice’ as most of the plants they had put in the year before had failed.

Hoping to share before/after photos once everything has settled in and bloomed! 🤞🏼🌼

14/03/2026

🌻🐞Ladybirds making the most of the sun!

Ladybirds are essential beneficial insects that act as natural pest controllers, with a single ladybird consuming up to 5,000 aphids, mites, and scale insects in its lifetime 🪲

They protect plant health without the need for chemical pesticides and also serve as minor pollinators.

As a result, they are always a welcome sight in the garden 🌿

06/03/2026

🌻📚Student of the Month!

Those closest to me know I’m not one to blow my own trumpet but as this is one of my proudest achievements I’m telling anyone who will listen! 🌱🤭

01/03/2026

🌻🌱Marske Library Seed Swap 👇🏼

🌱 Marske Library Seed Swap – Saturday 14th March, 10.30–12.30

Fancy growing something this year? Got half-used seed packets sitting in a drawer? Or looking for something easy to grow with the kids?

Pop into Marske Library for our Seed Swap – a relaxed, drop-in event with:
☕ Tea, cake and garden chat
✂️ Children’s crafts
📦 Learn how to make a paper seed packet
🌻 Lots of seeds to swap or take away

How it works:
Bring seeds to swap, or just come along and pick up what you need.

Can’t make it but still want to donate seeds?
There will be a seed donation box in the library from Monday 2nd March, so you can drop seeds off anytime.

No need to book – just drop in. Everyone welcome.