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<p>These <strong>colourful shade pot garden ideas</strong> will brighten up a shady spot in the garden</p>

<p>These <strong>colourful shade pot garden ideas</strong> will brighten up a shady spot in the garden, especially if you are wondering how to bring some colour to your garden with little sun. There are many plants with beautiful colours and textures for a shady area and despite them seemingly being tricky, if you choose the right plants for the right place, you can improve the space no end. These plants will grow in a shady border but also work well in pots meaning you can move them if needed, and even if you have a small garden or patio, they will brighten it up because they will grow in pots and containers as well.</p>
<h2>Colourful shade pot garden ideas in green&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The colour of nature is, of course, green, so why not create a container full of different shades of green? When we think of colour in the garden, it’s often the brighter colours that we think of, but there are many different shades of green that can create beautiful displays. Euphorbia, Ivy, Ferns and Hostas will make up a container full of green interest for a shady corner.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Think of textures to create colourful shade pot garden ideas&nbsp;</h2>
<p>When you plant your pots full of colour, think about the textures as well. Some of the most stunning displays focus intensely on texture. Not just to look at but to give you something to touch as you walk by.</p>
<ul>
<li>Lambs ear (Stachys) will tolerate a little shade and has a velvety feel,</li>
<li>Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) has frothy green flowers and soft foliage.</li>
<li>Add a Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas), and you’ll have a pot of different textures.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2>Surprisingly colourful shade pot garden ideas&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Just because the space you want to fill is shady doesn’t mean you can’t fill it with colour. It’s a common misconception that shade means boring, but that’s not the case at all. Fill a large container with good quality, peat-free compost and plant a Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) for its bright pink heart-shaped flowers. Think of a Siberian bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla) for tiny blue flowers. What about a Cranesbill (such as Geranium phaem) for purple flowers?&nbsp;There are many options.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Colourful shade pot garden ideas for a calm, cool look&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Suppose you’d prefer a pot of plants that gives a calm feeling go for greens, white and light colours. For a serene look, please try:</p>
<ul>
<li>False goatsbeard (Astilbe) in white,</li>
<li>Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum x hybridum),&nbsp;</li>
<li>Underplant with some bulbs such as Snowdrops (Galanthus) or white Muscari aucheri 'White Magic',</li>
<li>Add in a Heuchera or a Tiarella, and you’ll have created a cool, calm pot to make you smile every time you see it.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>Come and visit us for shade planting advice, plants, compost, and pots.&nbsp;</p>

Colourful shade pot garden ideas

<p>Here is <strong>how to harvest tomatoes</strong> and how to ensure you can keep harvesting for as long as possible.</p>

<p>The time to start <strong>harvesting tomatoes</strong> is upon us, and in fact, some people will already be enjoying the first tomatoes of the season. It is perhaps one of the most exciting harvests synonymous with the kitchen garden. Growing and harvesting tomatoes is satisfying and rewarding for adults and children alike, so here is how to harvest and how to ensure you can keep harvesting for as long as possible.</p>
<h2>What to look out for when harvesting tomatoes&nbsp;</h2>
<p>As you are harvesting, it is an excellent time to check over the plant to ensure no pests or diseases are present.</p>
<ul>
<li>Check for browning leaves which could be a sign of blight,</li>
<li>Check for aphids such as white fly and red spider mite,</li>
<li>Check the tomatoes for blossom end rot or any signs of stress due to inconsistent watering.</li>
<li>Don’t forget to snip off the side shoots as well to promote more vigorous growth. If you want more tomato plants, pot up the side shoots for a smaller but still productive plant.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How to harvest tomatoes&nbsp;</h2>
<p>This might seem like an easy one, but you have a few options. Harvest the ripe fruits first. Take some which are ripening but can finish off on a sunny windowsill (this is often a good idea if the plant is diseased), or if you are growing a vine variety, pick the best moment to harvest when all of the vine is ripe and snip off the whole vine. The choice is yours, but whichever way you harvest, you are bound to eat one or two on the spot!&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Storing tomatoes</h2>
<p>Popping your harvest into a trug, a recycled food container or whatever you can get your hands on is an easy way to get them home to the fridge. We recommend giving them a rinse before storing them in the fridge or somewhere cool if you will be using them straight away. If you have harvested them but not going home for a few hours, store them in a cool bag to keep them fresh.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Ensure a long season of harvesting tomatoes&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Firstly, know what variety you are growing as some will produce more fruits over a more extended period and others may be a little less. Full sun, free-draining soil, consistent water, a feeding schedule and plenty of space are what tomatoes need. Many varieties will be self-fertile, but if you are lacking pollinators (which could be the case if growing under cover), just tickle the flowers when they open to help spread the pollen.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For tomato feed, grow pots and compost plus feed, visit us in store.&nbsp;</p>

Harvesting tomatoes

<p>Now’s the time to really enjoy your garden, and to keep it looking great, here are our <strong>top 15 gardening tips for July.</strong></p>

<p>It’s summertime, and in the garden, everything is growing like crazy! Now’s the time to really enjoy your garden, and to keep it looking great, here are our <strong>top 15 gardening tips for July</strong>.</p>
<h2>15 summer gardening tips for July</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<p>Sow biennials like wallflowers, honesty and foxgloves now for flowers next spring and early summer.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Roses, cosmos, sweet peas, daylilies and dahlias all make excellent cut flowers, and cutting them for the house or simply deadheading them will keep more flowers coming all through summer.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Cut back faded perennials such as hardy geraniums and delphiniums to encourage fresh new leaves and a second flush of flowers.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p style="text-align: right;">Lift and divide bearded irises once they have finished flowering. Replant them with the rhizomes partially exposed so that they can be baked by the summer sun.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>July is the time to summer prune your wisteria, cutting all this year’s long whippy shoots back to 5-6 leaves from the woody main stems.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Keep sowing lettuce to give you a regular supply of fresh-picked leaves for salads. Lettuce and other salad leaves are prone to bolt in hot weather, so plant them where they will get some shade from the hot afternoon sun.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Water container plants regularly in hot periods. It’s especially important to water tomatoes consistently, as sudden downpours are likely to result in split tomatoes after a dry period.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Plants that flower and fruit, including tomatoes, beans, peppers, courgettes, blueberries and gooseberries, will all benefit from fortnightly feeding with a liquid high-potash feed such as tomato fertiliser.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Pinch out (remove) side-shoots on cordon tomatoes. These are the small leafy shoots that appear in the fork between the main stem and the side stems. Pinch them out by hand to concentrate the plant’s energy.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Pinch out the tips of broad bean plants once the first pods appear to encourage bushy growth and lots of beans. This will also reduce the risk of blackfly infestations.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Earth up maincrop potatoes to prevent the sunlight from reaching them and turning them green (green potatoes are toxic). Early potatoes should be ready to harvest this month, but dig up one or two first to check that they are big enough.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Once beans and courgettes are big enough to pick, harvest regularly to encourage the plants to keep producing fruits.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Prune stone fruit like peaches, cherries, plums and apricots now while they are in leaf. This reduces the risk of silver leaf infection.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Plant autumn-flowering bulbs like nerines and colchicums this month for a burst of stunning colour just as other plants are starting to fade.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Lawns grow fast in summer, so to keep yours looking neat, mow it weekly. In hot, dry periods, mow less frequently and raise the lawnmower blades onto a higher setting to avoid stressing the grass.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>With our great range of plants, tools and gardening equipment, you’re sure to find everything you need in our centre, so pay us a visit soon!</p>

15 garden tips for July

<p>This list of some of the <strong>best indoor plants for dark rooms</strong> will help you find the perfect plant for any shady space.</p>

<p>Even the shadiest room in the house deserves a houseplant to add a touch of style. This list of some of the <strong>best indoor plants for dark rooms</strong> will help you find the perfect plant for any shady space.</p>
<h2>8 Houseplants that don’t need much light</h2>
<ol>
<li>
<p>The cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) gets its name because it’s very hard to kill! It can cope with drought, low light and general neglect; in return, it’s excellent at cleaning the air. Don’t over-water it – let the compost dry out before watering to avoid root rot. Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) has long bamboo-like stems topped with narrow green leaves. It’s said to bring good luck, especially when received as a gift. Although it does best in bright indirect light, it will cope with moderate shade. Water regularly.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is also known as Devil’s Ivy, thanks to its ability to grow in various conditions. Its heart-shaped variegated leaves will show stronger colour in bright indirect light, but it will also grow happily in low light. The long stems can be trained to climb upwards on supports or allowed to trail elegantly. Allow the compost to dry out between waterings and mist occasionally to increase the humidity around the plant.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is one of the classic plants for shady rooms, with large glossy green leaves and occasional elegant white hooded flowers. It grows well in indirect light and likes to be watered regularly, preferably with rainwater or filtered water. Peace lilies are good at removing toxins from the air.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The snake plant (Sansevieria) is excellent for anyone struggling to keep a houseplant alive. With long, upwards-pointing variegated leaves, this tough, reliable plant looks extraordinary and contemporary and copes well with shade and neglect. Let the compost dry out between waterings to avoid root rot.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum) forms a compact clump of glossy green leaves. It grows well in low light levels, although the variegated varieties will have better colour in bright indirect light. Water regularly and mist occasionally.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) will grow in most positions out of direct light. They will tolerate some neglect, but remember to water them regularly. Spider plants are very easy to propagate and make great gifts for family and friends. Cut off the baby spider plants that occasionally appear on long stems, pot them up in individual pots and grow on.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The Money tree (Pachira Aquatica) probably won’t make you rich, but its five-fingered leaves and braided stems make it a beautiful houseplant! It prefers bright indirect light but can grow under fluorescent light and is ideal for an office. Money trees need regular watering, but don’t let them sit in wet compost for long periods as this could cause root rot.&nbsp;</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Come in and see the wide range of beautiful houseplants in our centre today. You’re sure to find one that’s just right for you!&nbsp;</p>

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