Monkton Elm News, Events and Tips Blog

  If you’re going to GYO potatoes this year, then pop in and have a chat with our resident expert Tom in February and he can help you choose the varieties that might suit you.

Our seed potatoes are now in stock and if you’ve never tried your hand at growing your own, here are my top tips on how to plant them and get the best from your tubers.

The New Year is a good time to get out in the garden and start planting, check out our handy guide to what you should be planting now.

Did you know garlic is a natural super food? It tastes great and may not be brilliant the night after on your breath but it does the power of good so experts say.

Now is the perfect time to start preparing your garden for spring.

Our expert plantsman Andrew gives his top tips on jobs to do in the garden and indoors this month.

  In February we will have all our seed potatoes in stock and it’s always good to plan ahead and think about the varieties you might like to grow.

Now is the perfect time to plan next year’s garden and it’s a great way of getting some downtime in the garden shed, while everyone else rushes about making Christmas arrangements.

  In the run up to the festivities, there are lots and lots and lots of jobs to be done. Follow our great guide and stay ahead of the game this year.

  It’s that time of year again! Our annual sapling giveaway is back, but with a bit of a difference this year.

Real Christmas trees are great for the environment as they are grown as a field crop so as soon as one is cut, another is planted.

We love decorating our in-store Christmas trees for our festive displays and thought we’d share our top tips on creating the perfect tree.

  Now is the time to start thinking about how you’re going to decorate your home for the festive season.

  We have lots of tips and advice for anyone thinking of having a fresh Christmas tree this Yuletide.

Before the rush of Christmas hits it’s a good idea to get some winter gardening maintenance jobs done, check out our top tips: Pest watch Although most pests and diseases are less active in the winter it is still a good idea to keep a close eye out for any problems. Pests such as whitefly, aphids, mealybug and red spider mite can attack houseplants and plants in greenhouses and conservatories, but the plants can be helped with a ready-to-use pesticide spray. Misting over foliage houseplants will help to keep them healthy especially in centrally-heated homes. Prevent attacks from botrytis and other diseases by keeping the humidity in greenhouses and cold frames low. Protect your water pipes It’s a good idea to turn off the water and drain irrigation pipes and hoses before the really cold weather arrives. This will help prevent problems with gardening watering equipment next year. Keep our feathered friends well fed The winter is when garden birds need our help more than e

  We love decorating our in-store Christmas trees for our festive displays and thought we’d share our top tips on creating the perfect tree.

  The Poinsettia is the perfect symbol of Christmas. The plant’s association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus’ birthday.

Indoor Cyclamen persicum.

We’re hosting a ladies’ night on Thursday, December 10 from 6pm until 9.30pm in our new restaurant. We’ve invited businesses from across the South West who will be in attendance to talk to you about their organisations as well as offering free demos and tasters.

This year we’re hosting two special Grand Christmas Weekends on Dec 5 and 6 and 12 and 13 and we’re looking for amateur school choirs that sing for fun and fundraisers, staff or volunteers for charities that like to go caroling to come along too.

  Each year as part of the festivities, we have animals on-site for you to see. This year we have two new piglets that have recently been born and are settling into their new home very nicely, the only problem is, they don’t have names yet!

You’re invited to join in the festivities at our two Christmas weekends on December 5 and 6 and 12 and 13 with live entertainment, food sampling and the chance to see festive displays.

If you’re searching for a novel Christmas gift you can now give a tree to match your loved ones’ birth sign. We have put together a tree collection to coincide with the zodiac or more accurately to work alongside a tree sign system developed by the Celts.

If you’re looking to get ahead with your Christmas plans and shopping this year then why not pop in and see us to get some inspiration.

Brighten up your home this winter with our superb quality, colourful azaleas and cyclamen.

  Santa will be arriving in style with a little help from the secret service at 10.30am this Saturday (November 21) to launch his grottoes.

  Remember the birds this autumn and winter, and make sure you put food and water out every day. We have a huge selection of feeders, tables and food – everything you’ll need to keep our feathered friends happy and healthy.

  If you’re looking to get ahead with your Christmas plans and shopping this year then why not pop in and see us to get some inspiration.

  There are lots of plants both indoors and outdoors that will need some TLC at this time of year and there are plenty of jobs to do in the garden this month too.

  If you’re planning a bonfire on November 5 it is important to remember to check for wildlife including hedgehogs before setting them alight.

One of the prettiest succulents, the flowers of the Kalanchoe are very long lasting and are available in a host of colours.

On Thursday, December 10 from 6pm until 9.30pm we will be hosting a ladies’ night and we’re calling for businesses interested in coming along, to get in touch.

GEMMA Staple from Spaxton has secured herself a place on the catering team in our new restaurant thanks to her mini cake mezze (October, 2015).

Brighten your garden with easy colour in 2016, plant spring flowering bulbs. Now in stock.

Here are five important tasks to help prepare your garden for the winter:

As temperatures start to drop, outdoor pests become less active and diseases start to become dormant but it is important to stay vigilant.

It is the 25 th national Common Ground Apple Day on Wednesday, October 21 and it’s a celebration of all things apple related and also an event to raise awareness of British varieties and orchards.

We thought it would be a great idea to get involved with The British Beekeepers Association’s National Honey Week, which runs from October 25 until October 31, so we can help spread awareness of the importance of bees and the value of their by-products.

Our pumpkin carving workshops are back for the October half-term holidays.  

Contrary to popular belief the autumn is one of the best times to get gardening tasks completed and to give your lawn a bit of TLC.

Here’s our October round up of what to do this month and what to watch out for on the pest front too.

Did you know its Apple Day on October 21? It has been celebrated on this day every year since it was initiated by Common Ground in 1990.

Autumn is nature’s natural time for planting.

As gardens start to lose their summer colour it’s a good time to take stock and work out what new plants you’d like and which ones need to be moved, replaced or replanted.

Check for gaps in your borders and fill them with plants like hardy cyclamen, hardy chrysanthemums and winter-flowering pansies.

You can’t beat spring-flowering bulbs for a splash of colour and now’s the time to plant them.

Earlier this year we set youngsters and schools the challenge to grow the biggest pumpkin in Somerset.

Enjoying a delicious cake is one of life’s little pleasures and we want to make sure everyone can enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up, which is why we are stocking a range of delicious, homemade gluten-free treats from some of our suppliers.

Now’s the perfect time to start planning that new border you’ve always wanted.

Don’t throw away your spent bedding plants, kitchen waste and other material – turn them into valuable compost for improving your soil and mulching your beds and borders.