This month in the garden

Jam Packed July..!

2009-07-02T12:05:00.000+01:00

We are now more than halfway through the year and it looks as though July is going to be the real start of summer. The long term forecast is showing good weather with sustained high pressure right throughout the month. It is certainly clammy at the moment and the sunshine is begging to break through the clouds. With this good weather your main tasks will be to keep the garden and plants well irrigated, weeded and dead headed regularly to ensure constant flowering. This means making sure your hoe and hose are in good shape..!

Although maintenance is at the forefront this month it is also the best time to add some new additions to the garden as you can now see what you are dealing with as herbaceous borders are becoming a real spectacle and shrubs and trees are in full growth. Here at Mayshade we have all the plants you need to add some stunning new additions to your garden. If you’re not quite sure what suits your situation don’t worry, as our knowledgeable staff are always more than happy to guide you all the way.

Happy gardening..!

June Bloom!

2009-06-05T07:20:00.001+01:00

June is usually a very rewarding month in the garden as you start to see some of the fruit of your hard labours come to fruition. The beds and border will be coming alive with early summer colour, as many herbaceous plant burst in to full bloom. The risk of frost should be well and truly past now so all your tender annuals and bedding can now be put on full show. If you've not all ready got your tubs and hanging baskets, don’t panic as we still have a huge selection of bedding plants available. Also, if you haven’t got the time to do your own why not take advantage of our bespoke planting service.

Although bedding plants steel the show at this time of the year, there are many other plants available to bring year on year colour into the garden. June is still a great time to plant trees, shrubs, herbaceous, and of course roses which are our in full bud and just waiting to burst into lush colour. For all your garden needs, come to the gardeners garden centre and let us make your visit a colourful one!

Happy Gardening..!

Colour you May!

2009-05-05T09:57:00.001+01:00

Well May is underway and for most gardeners that means only one thing... bedding plants! It’s that time to really get things going in the garden by starting to get those hanging baskets planted and those tubs and beds filled with reams of summer colour. Here at Mayshade we are proud to say that we hold one of the best selections of basket and bedding plants in the area. We have all your favourites such as Begonias, Geraniums, Marigolds, Lobelia, Livingston daisy and many more. If you’ve not got a basket or tub already then don’t panic because we’ve got that covered too.

Although the bedding is underway we can’t forget about the rest of the garden! As always here at Mayshade we are holding a superb range of ornamental and edible plants suitable for any garden situation. Why not come on down and bring some colour into your life.

Happy gardening..!

April fool… of life!

2009-04-06T11:59:00.001+01:00

Spring is well and truly here now and the garden is starting to turn into a haze of various green shades as all that fresh new growth bursts into life. April is always a very exciting time for gardeners as the garden becomes full of life again and the job list begins to mount-up.

Here at Mayshade we have all you need to tackle those mounting garden tasks with; fertilisers, composts, tools, seeds, chemicals, hanging baskets and much more garden products available. However if you prefer a more relaxing time we also have a fine selection of furniture, BBQ’s and water features to bring tranquillity into any garden.

As always our plant area is stacked with a fine selection of plants which will cater towards any garden situation or taste. Shrubs, trees, roses, herbs, fruit, perennials, alpines, grasses to name but a few all covered. If you’ve thought about growing your own why not give it a try, as this month we will have a full selection of vegetables and tomatoes plants available and as always we will be more that happy to advise you with any gardening queries

Spring into action..!

2009-03-06T10:28:00.001Z

March is the start of the gardening year with longer days and warmer nights. This is when plants really spring into life and the highlights are visible everywhere with colourful Primulas, Scillas, Irises, Hyacinths, Daffodils and Tulips. Here at Mayshade this month we are well prepared for the Spring Garden with everything you need to get started. In the Plantarea we have a great selection of Trees, Shrubs, Conifers, Bedding, Fruit and Herbs to suit any garden situation.

With all the fresh new growth appearing on your plants in March it is the ideal time to start your early season pruning as this will encourage a succession of new replacement shoots and growth. Roses will especially need your attention at this time of year, with any dead, diseased or damaged stems removed. Generally bush roses should be reduced by about a third and cut back to an outward facing bud. Other plants that will require some attention include; Dogwoods (Cornus species), Hardy Fuchsia, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii), Willow (Salix species).
For further helpful advice and information why not pop in and see us as we will always be delighted to help you with all your gardening queries.

Happy gardening....!

February Feeling!

2009-02-03T08:43:00.003Z

Now we're into February and the days are lengthening, the garden is well and truly on our minds as we know that Spring is just around the corner. There are plenty of tasks to get on with within the garden to give you a kick-start for the coming season. Although we have had awful weather conditions to the start of the month don't let Mother Nature fool you as there will be nice days that you can take advantage of. February is a good month to get the ground prepared for spring planting and the best way to do this is to fork in plenty of organic matter in the form of manure, compost or soil conditioner. This will help give your soil a new lease of life with more nutrients available for plants and a good structure for better root establishment.
This month is also the ideal time to get your fruit trees into the ground and also your final chance to get them pruned and protected with a tar oil wash. You should also treat your peaches, apricots and nectarines with fungicide to help prevent peach leaf curl this month. Here at Mayshade we will be more than happy to advise you on choosing the correct control methods or any other gardening issues.
And finally if you just want to see some colour in your garden then we have that covered too as we have a fine selection of spring bedding, flowering bulbs and shrubs to give your garden that early spring feeling.

Happy Gardening

January Optimism!

2009-01-05T08:10:00.005Z

Well another year is upon us and all through we are still feeling the effects of winter, I always get a sense of optimism for the coming year as the fresh shoots of the spring flowering bulbs start to push through the frosty soil. The weather in January can understandably put alot of people off going into the garden. However, there is no better time of the year to carry out some of that essential maintenance and repairs.

It's a good month to get all our garden tools and machinery into shape. Mower blades may need sharpened or balanced, spade and forks might need cleaned. It may even be the case that you realise that new tools might be needed as some are beyond repair. If this is the case, here at Mayshade we have a great selection of tools available and are more than happy to advise you with the correct tool to use. At this time of year we also can't forget about the birds. It is important to keep those bird feeders full as the natural supply starts to run low. At the garden centre we have, seeds, nuts, feeders, bird tables and loads more items which will tempt the wildlife into the garden.

Happy Gardening..!

Classic Christmas!

2008-12-04T10:04:00.003Z

Winter is well and truly underway and the garden can look stunning with the glistening frost bringing a unique beauty. However at this time of year the garden takes a back seat and the excitement of Christmas takes over. Here at Mayshade, we make sure that we have everything you need, to achieve that exciting and hopefully perfect Christmas.

This year why not give a seasonal house plant as a gift. We have all the classics available such as; Poinsettia, Christmas Cactus, Orchids, Indoor Azaleas and many more. We also have, as always, a fantastic selection of pot grown and fresh cut Christmas trees in stock, ranging in sizes from 3ft to 15ft. The selection includes the classic Norway spruce, the Lodgepole pine plus the Nordman, Noble and Fraser Firs. If it wreaths and swags you're looking for we have that covered as well with a good choice available right throughout December. Why not pop in and see us and make this Christmas and extra special one.

From all at Mayshade have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year..!

Remember November!

2008-11-01T08:22:00.002Z

November to gardeners should be a month where you reflect on all your hard labours of the year and contemplate the changes and additions for the coming year. However this doesn't mean that there's no work to be done. With the plants now entering into their dormant period, it is the ideal time to relocate or add in new trees, shrubs and roses to the garden. The soil should still have enough heat left in it to help get them established and ready for the coming season. The herbaceous borders should also be receiving their final tidy of the year. The last of the dying back foliage can be cut back and plant supports can be removed to be cleaned, ready for next year.Once you've done this, the border will hugely benefit from a mulch top dressing, which will help to protect the slightly more tender plant over the winter and decompose, (brake down), to add some vital nutrients into the soil ready for spring.
Here at Mayshade we try to make sure that we have the plants you'll need for any situation, as even at this time of year we hold a superb selection of trees, shrubs, roses, soft fruit and much more. If we don't currently have what you require in stock, we will be more than happy to try and source it for you.
Happy gardening..!

Red October!

2008-10-02T09:14:00.003+01:00

October to me is when the garden can be at it's most beautiful, at no other time of the year can you appreciate such a superb, fiery pallet of colour. This month sees many trees and shrubs on the turn and this can illuminate the darkest of autumn nights, with vibrant foliage and a rich selection of nuts and berries to admire. October is traditionally a busy month in the garden with many tasks to undertake, such as; hedges receiving their final prune of the year, herbaceous plants being divided, greenhouses insulated, spring bulbs planted, and also the addition of many new trees and shrubs to the garden. So if it's tools, bubble wrap, bulbs or plants you need, look no further! We cover the lot and much, much more.

October is also the perfect time of the year to add some soft fruit into the garden. Here at Mayshade we make sure you won't miss out, as this month we will be receiving a mouth watering selection of caned and soft fruit. We also stock a superb selection of top-fruit such as Apples, Pears, Plums and Cherries. So for all your gardening needs why not come along and try us out, as we will always be more than happy to help with all those gardening issues.

Happy gardening..!

September's Stunning Sale!

2008-09-01T09:52:00.002+01:00

With one of the wettest Augusts on record just behind us, I'm sure all you gardeners out there are feeling a bit washed out. Here at Mayshade we have just the answer, for the whole month of September we are giving a massive 25% off all plants..!

September brings the time in the garden when you want to start freshening up those tubs, borders and baskets to give you colour right through to the spring. We have a superb selection of autumn bedding with all the classics such as; Pansies, Violas, Cyclamen, primulas and many more. Now is also the time to think about planting your bulbs for a striking show in the spring, a full range is now available. During this coming month at Mayshade we have a lot to look forward to as we will be receiving deliveries of soft fruit, fruit trees, Rhododendrons and new season's roses. Why not come along and take advantage of this stunning plant sale and as always we'll be delighted to help you with all your gardening queries.

Happy gardening..!

Hot August Colour!

2008-08-01T10:13:00.003+01:00

I always think at this time of the year the herbaceous plants are starting to the hit their peak and a fantastic range of colours to be seen. Here at Mayshade we're currently stocking a superb, classical free-flowering range such as; Penstomon, Crocosmia, Echinacea and many more. Definitely not to be missed. A top-tip for all your herbaceous plants is to remove any of those passed over flowers as soon as possible, as this will help to bring on repeat flowering. In the garden the taller herbaceos plans may benefit from some support. For this, something as simple as bamboo canes may do the trick, but there are all types of plant supports available here at the garden centre. As always here at Mayshade, we are more than happy to advise and help with all your gardening needs.

Happy gardening..!

High Summer Sensation!

2008-07-01T09:17:00.001+01:00

We’re now into high summer and the garden should be full of life and colour. Summer bedding plants are often at their best at this time of year and make a real show in the garden. No need to panic if you haven’t yet found the time to get yours planted; here at Mayshade we still have a fine selection. We have Petunias, Busy-Lizzies, Lobelia, Fuchsias and many more to easily cater for a full display or to just fill in a few of those gaps. During July, it is especially important to check your plants regularly for water. New plantings, seedlings and containerized plants are among the most vulnerable at this time. To help in this constant battle, here at the garden centre we stock a good range of hoses, watering cans and water retaining gel. To help retain that valuable moisture in the soil, a top tip is to use the addition of mulch such as bark, compost or even pebbles or stones which are also all available. As always here at Mayshade, we are more than happy to advise you with any of your gardening dilemmas.

Happy Gardening..!

Full of colour!

2008-06-02T15:39:00.002+01:00

Your hard work in the garden is most likely starting to show.
However, there is still plenty to do. Aim to finish planting your
flowerbeds with the last of the summer flowers and finish your
hanging baskets and window displays.

Growers of home garden vegetables will also be reaping the
benefits of their efforts earlier in the year and their foods will
be making their way to the table.

If you need some inspiration come and see our demonstration garden during the
month of June.

Our demonstration garden changes monthly so watch this space…..

May Madness!

2008-05-16T08:40:00.002+01:00

We are now into the busiest month of the year here at Mayshade and the centre is loaded with everything you could imagine. The most important area is the plantarea, which is lush and full of colour. We have our full range of bedding plants as well as trees shrubs and flowering perennials. The edible garden is also well catered for with a full range of fruit, vegetables and salad crops. Need something for the lawn? we've got it all!

April Flowers!

2008-04-01T09:20:00.002+01:00

Another month in the garden and my personal favourite. After the dark and gloomy winter there is new life everywhere; fresh leaves unfurling on the trees, the grass is starting to grow and there are spring flowers everywhere.
The long-range forecasts for April are all looking good, with temperatures rising rapidly and a good chance of some prolonged dry spells, leaving you all no excuse not to get back in the garden!
In the plant area we have lots of fresh stock, including Pieris Forest Flame and Flaming Silver, both showing beautiful flame-red bracts.
The shop has taken delivery of a huge range of garden furniture, both traditional and contemporary.
It's also the perfect time for more fundamental work in the garden and our Landscape supplies desk can sort you out with paving, gravels, walling, bark and much more to create a new garden from the ground up.

Happy gardening!

Time to get Outdoors

2008-03-14T12:46:00.003Z

With Easter here already it's time to get back into the garden after a horrible few weeks of cold, stormy weather.
The veg garden can be started with seed potatoes, onions and shallots and early cabbage, with tomatoes and other salads ok to go into heated greenhouses.
It's the time of year to be sowing both veg and flower seeds including all summer bedding plants - just don't forget to protect from the cold!
The soil is warm enough to get out and get stuck in, cultivating and preparing for the coming season and it's already time to start weeding, with the tougher varieties already poking through. If you don't fancy getting your hands dirty, there are a range of ready-to-use weedkillers available, such as Roundup.
In the shop we're all prepared for the Easter weekend with events for the kids on the Sunday such as the Mayshade Annual Bunny Hunt, Painting Competitions, our own Easter Bunny and face painting. We also have a range of Easter-related gifts available.
Had your fence blown down or damaged in the stormy weather? Our Trade Department has a huge range of timber and fencing now available. Also check out our new range of Natural Sandstone Paving.

Spring has Sprung!

2008-02-12T10:13:00.000Z

After one of the wettest Januarys on record the weather has finally taken a turn for the better, with some dry, bright days helping to bring our plants back to life after the dark, cold winter. Winter pansies, Polyanthus and Primulas are all coming into flower and we have a huge range of colours now available in the garden centre. Potted bulbs are also doing well with Daffodils in full bloom and Tulips, Crocus etc well on their way.
The Landscape supplies department, with Robert and Marion at the helm, have added some great new products including a whole new range of Kelkay paving and rockery stone and we have also extended our timber and fencing range.
Linda, our shop manager, has been busy making sure that everything you need to give your garden a Spring kickstart is now available - everything from vegetable and flower seeds to seed trays and compost to sow them in; from spades and forks to prepare the ground to netting to protect the plants when planted; from rakes to tidy up the lawn to fertiliser to get it looking fresh and green.
The giftware department has added some exciting new ranges, including a number of items produced in Scotland, such as our new Highland Soaps collection.
As always, our trained staff are here to help with any and all questions you may have.

Festive fayre

2007-12-06T15:20:00.000Z

Christmas is well and truly upon us now and Mayshade is packed with trees both real and artificial, along with everything you need to decorate them and the rest of the home.
In the Plant Area we've added a range of bird-friendly plants which provide everything from berries to shelter. This is complemented by our in-shop birdcare range which includes bird boxes, bird tables and feeders along with every type of birdfood to put in them.

Hello and welcome to the new Mayshade blog.

2007-11-19T13:36:00.000Z

Please come back every month for the latest tips and advice from our head gardener.