summer | The Garden Guru

Top cheap barbecues for the summer

May 31, 2018April 15, 2019 Charlotte Hallam

As I’m sure you know by now, it’s National BBQ Week – it’s all anyone’s been going on about. Everyone loves a barbecue, there’s no denying that. But not everyone wants to be the king of the grill. If you’re one of those people who doesn’t mind barbecuing a couple of times a year for your family but other than that you’d choose the oven all the way, then an all singing all dancing barbecue probably isn’t for you. After all, why spend money on something you’re not going to…

How to barbecue on a budget

May 28, 2018May 31, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

It’s National BBQ Week this week so a couple of barbecue posts are an essential. So, we’re starting off with the all-important barbecuing on a budget. Everyone loves a barbecue when the weather’s nice, but after the excitement of the initial invitation, very often for the host it ends up an expensive nightmare. However, there’s no need for a barbecue with friends to cost the earth, in fact it can be done very cheaply while still being very, very tasty. So, if you fancy a barbecue but need to do…

Controlling Weeds Without Chemicals

April 6, 2018April 5, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

Weeds are the ultimate pest to gardeners. Quite often, it doesn’t matter what you do; as quickly as you remove weeds from your garden, they’ve sprouted up somewhere else. Despite there being plenty of strong chemical weed killers available, if you want to use the ground to grow plants – specifically fruits and vegetables – then it’s best to avoid the chemicals. One of the most effective weed killers is you, and a few preventative measures you can put in place to stop weeds from recurring. Can a non-chemical…

Top tips for dog proofing your garden

February 26, 2018February 22, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

They say man is a dog’s best friend. In reality though, it’s their gardens. Your dog will love your garden. However, they don’t tend to appreciate neat borders and well-crafted decking. Dogs generally like to wreak havoc in our gardens. However, there is a way to get the best of both worlds. Take a look at our top tips for preventing pets from becoming garden pests. Keep your dog out of your flower beds A dog digging and lying down in the flower beds is a gardener’s worst nightmare.…

Lawn Care and Gardening: The Ultimate 2018 Guide

December 13, 2017December 13, 2017 gardenguruadmin

Sprouted spring flowers daffodils in early spring garden

As we are right in the middle of the festive period, thoughts are moving towards the new year and what we want to achieve in our homes and gardens. The new year can bring endless possibilities and gives you a chance to get things organised. Why not make this year the best yet and make your house a true relaxing haven for you and your family? Our effective lawn care and gardening tips are sure to get you off on the right foot. Plan Ahead This is the perfect time to plan…

Garden Gadgets: The Essentials Guide

September 8, 2017May 7, 2019 Charlotte Hallam

Whether you’re a keen gardener or a seasonal flitter, everyone loves a gadget. Here’s a selection of the best garden gadgets available for taming, pruning, watering and decorating. Hozelock Auto Reel with 40M Hose If your garden is a small yard or a tiny patch of grass then we’d recommend checking out some cheaper, shorter hose options. However, if your garden is slightly larger, covering the area of a small town for example, then this 40m hose – sure to be one of the longest in the world –…

Essential tips for erecting a new garden shed

June 15, 2017August 20, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

This is the time of year when people start kitting out their gardens with all things new and beautiful. One accessory no garden should be without at this time of year is a shed. The staple of many British gardens is a wooden shed, but we’ll bet that you, just like many others out there, end up replacing your shed every few years for one reason or another. Maybe it’s not weathered well; perhaps the floor has become damp or rotten; or maybe it’s started to bow. There are many…

5 summer cocktails you simply must try

June 15, 2017May 1, 2018 Charlotte Hallam

Following on from our colourful post on fruity summer smoothies, this one’s aimed more at evening entertainment and garden parties. Of course, we’re talking about summer cocktail parties and all things alcoholic, below you’ll find a list of tastiest along with their recipes. Pimms cocktail Of course Pimms is at the top, it is the drink of summer after all. But surprisingly, there’s more to it than throwing Pimms, strawberries, mint and lemonade into a jug. Yes, really there is. The proportions need to be just right. Luckily, we have…

Perfect summer smoothie recipes

June 15, 2017February 17, 2020 Charlotte Hallam

Summer’s very much around the corner which means cold drinks and healthy eating are all the rage at the moment. In order to make things a little easier for you, here we have the recipes for 10 tasty summer smoothies that’ll help you pack in your five a day. Summer in a cup A stunning recipe from the Minimalist Baker. All you need is raspberries, banana, pomegranate juice, orange juice and almond milk. For the ultimate, cool, creamy and beautifully refreshing summer smoothie, click here for the full recipe.…

Summer sowing, what should you be growing?

June 15, 2017 Charlotte Hallam

Unless you’re a truly seasoned gardener, it can be difficult to know what to sow and when. And, if you decide on the wrong thing at the wrong time of year then the results – or lack of – can be a more than a little disheartening. With this comprehensive guide we’ve tried to give you all the info you need to sow successfully through the summer and into autumn to ensure a great crop of fresh vegetables throughout the winter. Looking after your sowings Ideally, you should start sowing…