GARDEN TIPS BY SHELLEY HUGH-JONES
Sommer Pyne
April is nearly upon us and the days are getting longer and brighter. Blossom and bulbs are flowering everywhere so if you feel inspired to make changes or give your plants a good start, now is the time to do it.
House Curious - Photo by Gavin Smith
House Curious
Feeding: A generous layer of mushroom compost or composted manure will give everything a good start. Follow this up with a regular feed from April through to September and your garden will flower more and be generally healthier. Scrape off the top 5-10 cms of compost in your planters and refresh with new multi-compost.
Lawns: Now is the time for the first cut if you have not started mowing already! Feed your lawn too.
Moving plants: It’s not too late to lift or divide if anything has got to big for its space or pot. Grasses and perennials can be divided and shrubs moved but do it soon before the weather picks up. Tie in all climbers before they wrap themselves around neighbouring plants!
Weeds: Remove the weeds before they get too large and unruly!
Soho Farmhouse
Colour: Add colour to your patio with pots of flowering bulbs, perennials and annuals. These can be changed and added to as the season progresses and moved around the garden filling any holes in the beds.
Bulbs: Leave all bulb foliage to die back for at least 6 weeks after flowering has finished so the goodness goes back into the bulb for next year. Finish planting summer flowering bulbs .
Save the Bees: Plant something for the bees this year. Flowers in the garden look beautiful but are also vital for our bees whose numbers are diminishing and as a result we are facing major problems on a global scale if they continue to decline. Avoid using pesticides and try biological or insect safe alternatives.
Phyllis Odessey
Fruit and Veg: Buy some seeds for sowing vegetables. Strawberries can be planted in April, plus sow some sunflower seeds; great to do this with children. Local plant nurseries sell seeds and can advise.
House Curious - Photo by Gavin Smith
New! This summers must have. Grab your favourite beverage, a good book and relax. Ideal for couples and small families, the 1.5m TiiPii Bed is the perfect place to unwind. Beautifully suited as an indoor hanging daybed, outdoor porch bed, hanging chair, floating bed or luxury camping hammock.
The 1.5m Nomad TiiPii Bed is slightly smaller than the original… So a little more compact, a little less to carry at only 5.5kgs… But just as much fun! Still comfortably fitting 2-3 adults easily, it’s the perfect alternative hammock bed for those that have a little less space to work with.
Note: TiiPii Hammock Stand (sold separately)
Colour: Natural White
Base: 1.5m diameter
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 5.5kg
Load Capacity: 250kg
Nomad TiiPii Bed Specifications
Hammock Bed holds 250kgs (up to 2-3 adults)
Assembled simply by 1-2 people
Ambient attachable net included
Compacts down into a small 60cm carry bag
TiiPii Bed base is Water Resistant, Anti-Mould & Anti-UV
Constructed from durable marine grade poly-cotton canvas & aluminium
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use (TiiPii Rain Cover recommended, sold separately)
Machine washable
Can be hung with a TiiPii Hammock Stand (sold separately), or suspended from an alternatively safe structure, ceiling, branch or beam.
New! This super cool grow bench has an industrial look with it’s faux concrete finish. We love the multiple functionality of being able to plant greenery and take a seat. Alternatively use it for additional storage indoors. Please note that colour and finish may vary and may change over time. The bench is not suited for freezing weather.
There may be additional delivery costs with this item based on the delivery address, weight and volume of your order. Any questions email us at hello@housecurious.co.uk. Once our order is placed we will be able to advise delivery date usually 2-5 weeks.
Colour: Grey
Material: Fiber clay
Dimensions: Length 130 cm, x Width 40 cm x Height 38cm
New! This Bamboo day bed is beautifully handmade and is the ultimate in relaxed outdoor living. Use the bamboo day bed as a lounger in the garden or as a daybed in the home. Add your own personal touch with large cushions of different styles and sizes. You can choose from either a right or left side gable. Also available in white.
Please note there may be additional delivery costs with this item based on the delivery address, weight and volume of your order. Any questions email us at hello@housecurious.co.uk. Once our order is placed we will be able to advise delivery date usually 2-4 weeks.
Colour: White
Material: Bamboo , Cushions - Covers 100% cotton, Filling 100% Polyester
Dimensions: Length 220cm x Width 120cm x Height 70 cm
Care instructions
Covers Dry clean
FURNITURE IN BAMBOO - Outdoor use
For outdoor use, the surface may collect mould, but as bamboo is resistant, the mould is only superficial, as the mould will never penetrate inside the bamboo. Mould is very easy to remove from the surface by following below cleaning and washing instructions 1+2. Follow 3+4 for optimum results.
Make sure that your furniture is placed on a dry surface to avoid the legs from absorbing water, and store your bamboo furniture in a dry ventilated environment during the autumn and winter season.
We recommend you to wash outdoor bamboo furniture before every season. Repeat the washing a few times during the season, and do the washing on a sunny day to get the best results.
1) Use a hard cleaning sponge and/or scouring powder with abrasive effect to remove dirt, stains and possible mould.
2) Rinse well with plenty of water to remove all soap and dirt.
3) Spray with a cleaning product containing chlorine, ammonia or vinegar directly on the bamboo, leave it on for a while, rinse well with water and let it dry completely in the sun for optimum results.
4) For extra treatment in the end of the season – before winter storage - we recommend you to treat your bamboo with an anti-mildew and mould detergent. Contact your nearest DIY store for the best exterior wood treatment to avoid fungus and mould in a wet and humid winter climate.
New! These beautiful ceramic glazed grey planters add drama to any room. Add our favourite indoor plant and group together to create a green haven. Contemporary and stylish its a winner with the House Curious team.
Small: DIA: 35cm H: 45 cm : Medium: DIA: 45 CM, H.: 55 CM
*Available for pick up. Requires special delivery due to the weight and fragile nature. Prices will vary depending on where you live. Please call for a delivery quote.
Words by Shelley Hugh-Jones - Garden Design
gardens@shelleyhughjones.co.uk