Dobbies do more for love than sell roses at Valentines

In fact Dobbies have been sowing the seeds of love in a variety of ways for years.

Speed dating Dobbies style

For this Valentines day, Dobbies Garden Centre Paisley invited the local residents in search of romance to a free ‘speed planting’ event to help love grow. The speed planting event involved a planting demonstration, to ensure that the footloose and fancy free of Paisley could enjoy a cuppa while planting chillies to spice things up. Giving them the chance to possibly meet that special someone.

Lisa Reid restaurant manager at Dobbies, Paisley said, “In order to turn up the heat in Renfrew on Valentines Day it was important to do something different. The idea of ‘speed planting’ is based on speed dating where singletons can interact with each other in a friendly environment. Our garden centre is very much a community meeting place and we are keen to inspire customers from around the area to socialise at Dobbies Garden Centre Paisley.”

Love blooms at Dobbies

It seems that romantic liaisons at Dobbies go beyond organised events. Maybe it’s because of all the fire exits, allowing for a quick escape! Here’s an example of love blooming with a little help from Dobbies:

Keen gardeners Bert and Audrey first met at Dobbies Garden World Dunfermline, where they bonded over tea and scones after connecting through on-line dating.

When their plans to jet-off on honeymoon were grounded by volcanic ash emissions,
plant experts at Dobbies Dunfermline gifted them with a rose garden to help their love blossom.

Staff at Dobbies and family friends alike gifted the couple with rose bushes named Happy Times, Wedding Day, With Love, Bride’s Blush, Cloud Nine, Double Delight and Specially for You.

Although Audrey admits that she wasn’t bowled over by the newly planted rose garden. “It wasn’t exactly love at first sight,” she explains, “as the buds hadn’t fully opened and everything looked a little bit plain”. But the bride soon warmed to the blooming mix of colourful and romantically named roses.

The lovebirds later chose their beloved rose garden to have professional photographs taken, to mark their engagement and commemorate their shared love of gardening.

If you’ve had a romantic moment inspired by Dobbies, and you’re happy to share your story, we’d love to hear from you. So please get in touch by leaving a comment.

Grow a beautiful and bountiful garden with Dobbies half price seed sale

The Dobbies £10 million sale is knocking 50% off the cost of all seeds. So save money by getting all the flower, plant and vegetable seeds in the half price seed sale now, for a beautiful garden and fruitful plot in 2011.

Planning ahead saves time and money

Although it may be frosty outside, now is a fantastic time to plan your planting for spring and summer.

So take advantage of the lack of activity in the garden now and stay in the warm to plan the gardening year ahead.

For tips and advice on what to grow and when to sow, take a look at gardening advice pages.

With prices at half the normal sum, thinking ahead is good for your pocket as well as your garden.

The half-price seeds sale starts online at www.dobbies.com from Boxing Day and will be available in all Dobbies garden centres from December 27th.

Seed blogs for seed sowing inspiration

The humble garden seed is often undervalued and we think it deserves a little literary love.

So much time and appreciation is given to vibrant flowers and gorgeous vegetables, but without seeds our gardens and veg patches would be bare.

Here’s a hand-picked selection of enthusiastic blogs for some seed sowing inspiration:

From Seed To Table – Michelle and Zeke ‘The Rodonator’, reveal all from their south-west facing hillside garden in California. As the title suggests this is all about growing from seed and creating meals from the produce, recipes included.

Urban Tomato – Currently posting and boasting a healthy crop from their garden! Lots of knowledge and resources available here to aid you while growing heirloom seeds and seedlings.

Populuxe – Created by obsessive urban gardener Kelly in her office in Kootenays, BC, as was her charming robot named Fred. Her blog shows a love of most things except people wearing sandals and socks. The blog is full of little adventures and interesting facts.

Renee’s Garden Seeds Blog – A blog for fellow gardeners to connect, inspire and share experiences. It’s full of photos and useful information from Renee’s 4 acres of trial gardens, where she grows and evaluates more than 200 varieties of seed from all over the world.

The Seed Ambassadors Project Blog – The project is aiming to collect, grow and save many of the worlds seeds. This blog chronicles the many stories of the seed stewards as they toil for the Seed Ambassador Project. There is lots of advice as well as info about recent seed saving events.

Bifurcated Carrot – This is Patrick and Steph’s blog all about heirloom gardening and general goings on at their 450m allotment just north of Amsterdam. Check out their post ‘Tom Wagner Blight Resistant Potato Trials’ and the video ‘Seeds Of Life: Open Pollination’ for some informative and interesting content.

Seed Snatcher – All sorts of information and facts are available at the Seed Snatcher blog such as seed histories, seed gossip and seed IDs. A wealth of seed and cultivation knowledge from all over the world.

Mr Brown Thumb – At the Mr Brown Thumb blog you’ll be sure to pick up some valuable tips on successfully growing from seed. There are some creative ideas including how to make your own seed pots.

Seeded – Jenny, the creator of Seeded says that her vegetable garden is having a terrible year, possibly due to the rabbits, bugs, heat or neglect! Keep on blogging though, it’s good to hear that other gardeners are human and don’t get it easy all the time.

Annapolis Seed – Documenting the hard work and motivation of organic seed grower Owen Bridge. From his substantial plot in Nova Scotia, Owen shares photos and knowledge from what he grows including hay, vegetables, flowers and a yurt.

Brown Envelope Seeds – Farmer and seed saver Madeline McKeever blogs from County Cork, Ireland. With a variety of quizzes, videos, news clippings, photos and informative posts this blog will keep seed savvy readers entertained for hours.

The Heirloom Seed Blog – All about “heirloom and open pollinated seeds, vegetable gardening, culinary herb gardens and soil building, with some cooking thrown in”. The post on ‘Herbes de Provence’ is a triumph of knowledge, creativity and crafted cuisine.

If you have a seed related blog or know of other seed blogs that we should mention, please leave a comment.

Garden seeds are the smart way to grow

Whether you have a garden, an allotment, or a few pots on the patio, growing from seed is the smart way to grow.

Nurseries have a limited variety of plants to choose from, but carry a wide selection of seed packets. Ordering garden seeds from online garden centres or catalogues provides a superior range of choice. Dozens of vegetable and herb seeds are available to the home gardener. Every kind of flower, including many unusual varieties, can be grown from seed.

Growing from seed is less expensive.

One package of seeds costs little more than one bedding plant, yet produces rows and rows of plants. Some companies offer “real” seed as opposed to the hybrids usually available in stores. One advantage of the real seed is that it breeds true to type, so you can gather seeds for the next season, saving even more money. Many hybrids are a result of a cross between several varieties. They don’t breed true, so you don’t know what, if anything, will come up the next year. Even when plants do grow, the crops or flowers are often poor. One advantage of hybrids is that they are often very hardy and insect resistant.

Growing seed indoors

Since Britain, especially more northern areas, has a relatively short growing season, many flower and vegetable seeds can be started indoors. A greenhouse or a polytunnel is a good option as well. These can be good investments if you plan on filling the garden each year. Vegetables such as aubergines and vine tomatoes do well started indoors. When the soil warms outside it’s time to transplant them to the garden. There are many starter sets and accessories such as grow-lights available from nurseries and seed companies. Keeping the seed warm and damp is vital to germination.

Growing seed outdoors

Many traditional British cool-weather vegetables such as peas and lettuce can be started outside without a problem. Bush tomatoes can also be planted directly outdoors as they germinate in cool weather. Onions are very versatile, and can be sown in early spring for a summer crop, or mid to late summer for overwintering then ready for spring. Cabbages, another British favourite, are very versatile in the garden. Seed can be planted in late summer/early autumn for a winter crop, early spring for a summer crop, or summer for a winter crop.

Growing flower seeds

Flowers such as alyssum, delphinium and dianthus can be started indoors or under glass for early blooming, or sown outdoors for later blooming. Late-blooming plants such as chrysanthemums can be sown outdoors in March, or sown in autumn for summer blooms. Check the back of the seed package for specific details and instructions for each variety of flower or vegetable you purchase.

An extravagantly beautiful and productive garden can be yours. Save money, enjoy a wider variety of flowers and vegetables, and let your garden be the envy of the neighbourhood. Plant garden seeds.

Suttons - quality seeds for over 200 years

From humble father and son beginnings, Suttons have continued to grow. They are now part of Vilmorin, the largest packet seed distributors in the world.

Suttons was founded in 1806 by John Sutton and has blossomed into the reliable company that it is today. They have supplied seeds to Royal households since 1858, when Queen Victoria requested seed from Martin Hope Sutton, son of the founder. The Royal Warrant has been bestowed on the firm ever since.

They have always been at the peak of the garden seed, bulb and plant market. In 1965, Suttons were the first company to offer foil packets to the amateur gardener in the UK. Through the use of new techniques, cutting edge technology and forward-looking research they have matured into the brand name we know and love.

Any gardener looking for something different to test their growing skills should find it in the Sutton seed collection. Be it an unusual houseplant, an exotic climber to scale an unsightly fence or maybe something different in the way of vegetables, to add taste and colour to the dinner plate.

If you’re looking for something for both the garden and the table, then add a splash of colour by planting some Suttons Beef Leaf Swiss Chards Seeds. They are the most ornamental of Swiss Chards and ideal for the flower border. Or if you’re a sweet toothed, adventurous gardener try growing Suttons Cantaloupe Melon Seeds. They are one of the quickest growing varieties of melon and they hold the Award of Garden Merit.

Suttons put all of their seeds through rigorous testing. They check the standards of various seed and plant attributes, such as germination success and optimum growing temperatures. So when you get your seed home, you know that by choosing Suttons you’ll be growing healthy, high quality plants.

For free growing guides and a vegetable garden planner visit Suttons website.

Grass seed is an affordable way to transform your garden

To assure success it is important that you select the appropriate seed for your garden. Consider the amount of sunlight your lawn area will receive and the quality of your soil. You should also take into account what type of grass seed grows best in your region.

Read the instructions on the seed packaging or ask your local garden centre for assistance. Purchase enough to cover the area you will be seeding. It is a good idea to purchase extra in case you need to reseed certain areas later.

Follow this step-by-step guide for a healthy new lawn:

1. Clear the area of all rocks, wood, debris or other material that would prohibit seeding. When clear add a layer of rich compost. Lay down a full 2.5 to 5cm over the area you are going to seed. You can also use dry manure or sphagnum peat moss. The idea here is to enrich the soil so the grass seed will germinate and grow.

2. Till the lawn. Use a garden tiller to dig up the yard. Tilling will help mix the compost with the soil creating a rich bed to seed. When tilling is complete, level the area with a rake.

3. Sow the grass seed. The best way to sow grass seed is with a rotary lawn spreader. This will assure you have uniform coverage. Take one-half of the seed and sow it in rows across the lawn. When complete, take the other half of the seed and sow it in rows at a right angle to the first criss-crossing the whole lawn. So simply spread half the seed in a north-south direction and the other half in an east-west direction.

4. Apply a fresh layer of mulch over the entire lawn. Carefully cover your newly sowed seed with a thin layer of mulch. This will help the soil retain moisture. You can use dry manure, compost, topsoil, or even straw.

5. Water your new lawn thoroughly. You should use a mist or light setting to keep from washing seed and soil away. Soak your new lawn a full 15cm deep and never let the grass seed dry out. Keeping your newly sowed lawn moist will ensure successful germination.

6. Watch your grass grow. Grass seed will start germinating after seven days. Some species take up to 30 days. Continue watering your lawn until the new grass is 2cm high. Water generously, otherwise your lawn will be patchy.

7. Start mowing your new lawn. As soon as your new lawn reaches 10cm high, you can safely mow. It is suggested you mow when the soil is dry, otherwise you risk tearing up your new lawn.

8. Fertilize your new lawn six weeks after germination. Be sure to follow the directions on the bag for applying to new lawns. New grass needs feeding so do not miss this important step.

Now relax and enjoy your new lawn.

Demand for more natural clothing is on the rise, and what could be more natural than seeds in your undies. Beatrice Oettinger has created a range of designer underwear that will truly grow on you.

Black bean bra and knickers
Photo by Beatrice Oettinger

Seeds of Clematis
Photo by Beatrice Oettinger

Blossoms and seeds
Photo by Beatrice Oettinger

Seeds from the Alps
Photo by Beatrice Oettinger

Eat healthy and save money with vegetable seeds

By sowing vegetable seed you can grow all of your favourite vegetables, eat healthily and save money.

Growing vegetables from seed is a lot cheaper than buying them from the shops. For the price of a few tomatoes in the shops you can grow a virtually endless supply at home. Growing from seed obviously takes longer but with a bit of planning and enough planting space you might never have to buy vegetables again.

You have total control over how your vegetables are grown. You decide what is used to encourage growth, giving you the chance to grow organically or at least limit any chemicals used.

There’s a huge variety of vegetable seeds available, which means you can always find your favourites and experiment with unusual varieties. Whatever vegetables you decide to grow, the joy of nurturing your seeds to fully grown plants is very rewarding.

Seeding and seedlings

For best results when planting seeds, plant two or more per pot. Once the seedlings have established themselves, remove the weaker ones. This ensures there is enough room for the stronger specimens to develop.

Larger seeds (such as peas and beans) should be sown two per planting station, then, after the first ‘true leaves’ have formed, thin out the weaker seedling. With smaller seeds you can scatter them over compost in a seed tray and then thin them out to give each one sufficient space. Check your seed packet for more information.

Transplanting

After two or three good leaves have formed on the plants they should be ready to plant in their own individual container, or directly outside if all risk of frost has passed. Ensure that you only hold the seedlings by the leaves while you are transplanting them to a larger pot. Otherwise it is easy to damage the plant by pinching the stem. Use a pen or a teaspoon to ease out the roots to ensure the minimum disturbance to their growth.

It is important to acclimatise your young plant to the temperature and elements of outdoors. The process of ‘hardening off’ requires you to slowly let your plants acclimatise by leaving them outdoors in the day and indoors at night. This varies for each plant as some are hardier than others. Do this for around a week and then leave them out over night for a few nights. After this they will be fully adjusted to the cold conditions and ready to be planted in the soil.

For all vegetables, make sure that you prepare the soil by digging the plot over thoroughly removing all weeds and weed roots and raking the ground level.

The best time to plant out your crops is late in the afternoon on a cloudy day so they avoid the excessive heat of the midday sun and the sudden temperature drop of clear nights. After planting, your plants may initially droop but they should soon perk up just as long as you keep them well watered during the first few days.

Watering

Some seedlings and young plants can be a little fragile and may require special care when watering. Seedlings should grow in moist compost. Water them by misting the plants with a spray so they don’t drown or get washed away. Mature crops which have been recently planted out also need special care. Ensure the ground doesn’t get waterlogged or dry out.

We hope these few tips will help and encourage you to sow your own vegetable seeds and reap the rewards.

Flower seeds - an affordable way to brighten the garden

Growing flowers from seed is a fun and satisfying task. With a wealth of shapes and colours to choose from, you can fill your garden with magical aromas and beautiful petals.

Flower seeds can save you money, as they are cheaper than buying fully grown plants. You also get the satisfaction of nurturing and watching your young seedlings blossom and mature in to adult plants. Growing plants from seed can be a relaxing solitary activity or you can get friends and family involved and make it a social event.

Planting seeds becomes even more interesting and magical with the addition of children. They love to get their hands mucky and will be enchanted by the whole process. Just give them a few seeds and a little watering can and let them do the rest.

Different types of flower seed

Seeds are generally classified according to their bloom frequency, life span, and type of flower produced.

Annual seeds

Annual seeds have a lifespan of one year so they need to be replanted each year. Some annuals can reseed themselves in warmer climates. A few examples of flowers that have annual seeds are sweet peas, marigolds, poppies, dahlias, and morning glories.

Perennials

Once perennials are planted they come back year after year. Most types of perennial seeds tend to be a little more expensive because of this. Examples of perennials include black-eyed-susan, hollyhocks, and iris.

Biennials

Biennial seeds have a life span of two years. Typically, these flowers will grow during the first year and bloom in the second year. Examples of biennials are forget-me-nots, evening primrose, and sweet william.

When planning a flower garden, many opt to plant a mixture of annuals, perennials, and biennials to keep their garden flowering throughout the years.

Here are 4 things to remember when planting seeds in your garden:

1. Soil Conditions

Pay attention to the soil needs of each type of flower seed. Most flowers typically prefer rich and well drained soil. Try to avoid planting where there is constant standing water or regular flooding. However some flowers such as cornflower grow well in these boggy conditions.

2. Planting depth

Different flower seeds require planting at different depths. For example, sunflowers should be planted 1/4-inch in the soil, while zinnias should be planted 1/16-inch under the soil. Some types of seed can be placed directly on top of the soil without any covering.

The correct spacing between seeds is also crucial for their development. For example, allow 6-8 inches between pansies and 18 inches between tall varieties of marigolds. Good seed spacing will ensure that your flowers have room to grow and are not competing for nutrients or water.

3. Light

The only thing as important as providing the right soil conditions for your seeds, is ensuring that they receive the required amount of light. Many flowers prefer locations that are constantly bathed in sunshine. Others, such as pansies, prefer a little shade.

If your flowers don’t get enough light they may fail to bloom, or if you place a shade-preferring flower in direct sunlight, it may wilt or become scorched. Knowing how to care for specific varieties is imperative in growing healthy flowers.

4. Water

Water breathes life into seeds. Just like people, flowers cannot live without a sufficient supply of water. Most types of flowers need to be watered regularly, however some types of flowers prefer a drier soil. Watering your flowers regularly can be expensive but by installing a water butt you can reduce the cost. Plants prefer rainwater as it has a more balanced Ph level than tap water.

Flower seeds are a fun and affordable way of adding colour and scent to your garden. By following these general guidelines and the specific instructions on the seed packet, you can create a garden full of bright blossoms.

Growing from seed has economic benefits

As well as the economic benefits of growing plants from seed, many people enjoy producing delicious vegetables, fruits and herbs from their own garden.

There are other advantages beyond taste and freshness. Growing your seeds organically ensures a source of food grown without pesticides and chemicals. Almost all plants can be grown from seed with careful planning.

Vegetables that are easy to grow from seed include tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, radishes, green beans, carrots, cucumbers and aubergines. Cantaloupe melons and strawberries are easily grown fruits. Seed packets normally provide all the necessary planting and growing information you need.

Seed supplies

When growing plants from seeds, a few simple and easily obtainable items are necessary, which can either be purchased or recycled from around the home. Different seeds have different requirements for planting and growing, but all seeds have some basic elements in common. Start by reading the seed packages for the various manufacturers’ instructions in order to get the best possible results.

First decide in what type of container you will plant your seeds. If you have purchased new seed trays, then all that’s needed is to fill them with the proper soil, or peat mix. Empty containers from yogurt or puddings can be used after thorough washing & rinsing. If reusing pots from other plants, they should be washed and then soaked in a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part bleach, to disinfect them.

Soil selection

Next, decide what you will use to fill your containers. While you certainly can use soil from the garden, it’s worth investing in some fresh potting soil or compost to give your plants the best start. Garden soil tends to pack down and become solid, making it harder for little shoots to push up through the surface. Also, there could be disease spores in garden soil, seeds from weeds, and insects that will eat your little plants. Buying a good grade of commercial compost will eliminate all of those woes.

Potting compost is mostly peat moss, but there are other ingredients that can be added, such as bark, coir, a by-product of coconut fiber, and perlite, a volcanic mineral. Altogether, this makes a lovely mixture that will retain moisture and at the same time provide good drainage to keep seeds from drowning.

Preparation and planting

Check the information on your seed packets to see if your seeds need any special preparation before planting. Some seeds may need to be soaked, or even kept in the freezer for a time. When your seeds are ready, whatever soil or compost you are using should be thoroughly dampened with water that has been held at room temperature. The trays or other containers should be filled to about one quarter inch from the top of each container or section of tray.

As a general rule of thumb, larger seeds need more soil cover than very small seeds. Give medium sized seeds about a quarter inch of soil to cover them, and plant larger seeds a little deeper. This will ensure their roots are undisturbed until it’s time to transplant them to the garden.