Home UK Magazine interviews television gardener Charlie Dimmock about the key gardening trends to watch out for this coming spring. Charlie has just launched her new gardening range with Poundland, which includes including hand tools, bird feeders, mosaic solar lights and gloves, which all retail for £1.
What are the three key trends in gardening this season?
Predicting what trends are going to be is always difficult. But grow your own is still very popular and I can see that it will develop more.
- Outside spaces are definitely those areas that we want to socialise in and they can be more digitally enhanced - whether that’s with games, tvs and cinemas.
- Going in the other contrast, there seems to be a leaning to chintz.
What are the three best ways to winter-proof your garden?
Non hardy plants and less hardy plants need to be protected - whether that’s moving them towards walls or insulating with horticultural fleece.
Keeping soil in tip top condition means it will drain more freely and be workable on the dry days.
Keep an eye on lawns, making sure you don’t get compacted areas on regularly walked upon areas.
What are you three design tips for smaller gardens or yards?
When choosing plants for a smaller garden and yards, go for ones that fit the size of the garden and have more than one point of interest. - a nice shape, an attractive foliage as well as flowers. Or ones that may autumn fruit and spring flowers.
Keep the design simple, by having too many features, it becomes busy and overcrowded.
If you want to grow vegetables and herbs, they don’t have to be in a specific area, they can be mixed in with your ornamental plants as a lot of them are very attractive. Rosemary makes a lovely clipped wall shrub and parsley and chives look great edging a border.
Do you recommend hanging baskets?
Hanging baskets can really make an impact in a garden or on the front of a house Just be aware, that watering can be an issue i would recommend using gel liners to help to retain moisture or moisture retention crystals in the compost and make sure and make sure you water regularly - which may mean twice a day in the high of summer - and also feed regularly and dead head to keep them looking at their best.
Where do you take your personal inspiration from?
I love being out in the garden and find it mentally very relaxing and positive. Working with Poundland and making gardening products accessible and affordable to everyone I am hoping will get a lot more people gardening.
What are three simple things people can do to improve their garden?
If you have a lawn keep it looking in the best of condition by mowing and edging regularly rather than leaving it a couple of weeks and then tackling it as this makes it looks tatty and week.
Dead heading roses and bedding plants not only makes the plants look tidy and neat but it encourages more blooms. Make sure you remove the whole flower head and not just the petals.
By feeding your plants it will boost their growth and flowering even if it’s as simple as using garden compost under shrubs or slow release fertiliser in containers.
How would you recommend keeping the garden looking good in the winter months?
During the winter time, rake up leaves regularly it makes it look tidy and stops it damaging the lawn. By having a good cross section of evergreens in a garden, you will have winter structure and interest.
Are there any other tips you would offer the budding gardener?
When it comes to gardening there’s loads of tips but the best thing I can suggest is don’t be intimidated and overwhelmed get out there and have a go. you’ll learn from your mistakes and become more confident at tackling projects.
And with my range at Poundland you can make the odd mistake without it costing the earth.
Photo credit: Geoff Caddick