November 2016 Newsletter

We’ve had such a glorious autumn, but with the nights now drawing in our thoughts must turn to winter. The darker evenings may be hard to bear, but there are compensations to be had, such as lighting the fire, and planning Christmas.

We are getting ready for all the fun that the festive season brings, and to kick it off we want to tell you about the ‘Love West Dulwich’ Christmas Fair on

Saturday 26^th November, from 10 until 5pm

Please put the date in your diary, and look out for the leaflets that will be available in the next week or so which will tell you what to expect. You can always follow us on twitter @lovewestdulwich, or on facebook.com/lovewestdulwich.

Christmas Trees

Our stock of Nordman (non dropping) trees will start arriving at the end of the month. The trees are cut from sustainable stock, and come from both Scotland and Denmark. Those of you who have been buying our trees over the years know, you just cannot beat our trees for quality.

This year we are again offering our unique Christmas tree service, which includes 10% off the price of all pre-ordered trees …

Pre-order and pay for your Christmas tree between 1^st and 30^th November, either over the phone or in person (stipulating exactly what you want in terms of height and shape), and we’ll reserve your tree as soon as the delivery arrives, knock 10% off the price, and deliver it in our local area, free of charge. Add to this the fact that the base of the tree will be whittled to fit into a stand, and we’re sure you’ll agree that our customer service is second to none.

You can, of course, come by and check that you’re happy with the tree we’ve picked out for you prior to delivery (and change it if necessary, while stocks last). Alternatively, we can reserve your tree ready for you to collect at your convenience, if you’d prefer.

We believe this personalised service will not only save you time and hassle but will ensure that you receive the size and shape tree that you want.

We’ve managed to not only keep the tree prices from last year, but DECREASE the price we can offer on the 7’ and 8’ trees! The prices are as follows:

3’ (90cm) £29.95

4’ (1.2m) £39.95

5’ (1.5m) £49.95

6’ (1.8m) £59.95

7’ (2.1m) £69.95

8’ (2.4m) £94.95

Unfortunately we can only offer the taller trees IF YOU PRE-ORDER ONE IN NOVEMBER. So, if you know you want a tree over 7’, please call us for details of price and to put your order in.

We will also have a limited supply of 6’ Norway Sprice (traditional) trees priced at £34.95, as well as some potted trees. There will be 3 typed of potted trees, in two different sizes. Ask for further details if you wish to pre-order one of these.

Don’t delay – book yours today!

We will also be selling 2 sizes of sturdy metal stands – 4” @ £19.95 and 5” (for trees over 7’ tall) @ £24.95 which you can also order in advance to be delivered or collected with your tree.

Our usual delivery charges and terms will apply if you order your tree in December (including minimum spend of £50)

So, what else is happening at the garden centre this month?

Autumn plants

There are many plants and shrubs that look good through winter … Cornus (Dogwood) with their vibrant stems; Pyracantha, and Skimmia laden with berries; cheery little Cyclamen; Vibernum tinus and Camellia already promising colour and form in the months to come, as well as stunning Acers, Euonymus alatus, and Parthenocissus (Virginia Creeper) with their amazing leaf colour.

Spring flowering bulbs

It’s the ideal time to plant tulips and alliums, and as it’s been such a mild autumn, you can still get away with planting narcissi, crocus, bluebells and fritillaries.

50% sale of plants

At this time of year we put some plants on sale. Canny gardeners will know that buying herbaceous perennials now (even though they have gone past their best) rather than in spring, means they’ll be stronger and larger next year. They may not look like much at the moment, but you’ll be smugly smiling next year if you plant them now. Check out what’s on offer in our ‘bargain corner’.

Gifts and home

We have been stocking up on more items in preparation for Christmas. Along with what have become the almost ubiquitous True Grace candles in scents such as ‘Fig’, ‘Cinnamon & Clove’, and ‘Christmas’, we now have their range of candles in a tin …. same wonderful scents, but more economical. Try the new ‘Oranges and Lemons’, which is zesty and seasonal, or the lovely heady scent of ‘Moroccan Rose’.

Because so many of you love the range of Somerset hand creams we’ve had for the past few years, we’ve extended the range to include some gift packs which are just perfect for Christmas, along with lip balms too.

It seems you are as enchanted by the range of Solmate Socks (that I mentioned in the last newsletter) as I am. This delightfully quirky range of ‘lovingly mismatched’ socks and fingerless mittens are made from really good quality recycled cotton, as well as being colourful and fun. (I’ve already bought several pairs to give as Christmas gifts!)

From another new supplier, I’ve got in a great range of gifts, including multi tool sets for men, and games for all the family packaged in retro Parlour Games boxes. As usual, we try to accommodate all generations, styles and budgets when looking for gift ideas, so you’ll find enchanting stocking fillers from a couple of quid.

Christmas ‘Bling’

I’m delighted that you seem to like the home and tree decorations that we continue to hunt high and low for. We have some truly exceptional items to grace your tree and home with this Christmas. We have again sourced glass baubles in a range of colours and sizes from the fabulous Nkuku. The bright colourful baubles in rainbow and peacock colours also make a return visit, along with simple glass strung garlands, and – of course! – the wonderful ‘Felt So Good’ felt decorations are back, with some delightful new additions.

Seasonal Flowers and Table Arrangements

Our lovely florist, Tamsin, is back at the end of the month to set up the florist area, and will be ready to take orders for your wreath, table decoration and flower arrangement requirements from 24^th November onwards.

Hope to see you soon, and don’t forget that every penny you spend earns 5% on your reward card!

With warm wishes

Karen

Garden jobs

The colours of autumn will be in full swing in the next few weeks, which lifts the spirits, but creates work in clearing leaves. There’s plenty to get done outside before the temperatures fall, you can check back to last month’s newsletter for more ideas.

My top 2 jobs for the month

1. Keep on top of leaf clearing, especially from lawns and pathways.

2. The autumn tidy up! Clean and store away all tools, pots, bags of compost, hoses and irrigation equipment which you won't be using during the winter months.

Plant and garden maintenance

• Leave ornamental grasses in place over the winter to support overwintering beneficial insects.
• This is a good time to move plants around if you've made mistakes. Dig them up with as much root as possible, move them to the new spot, firm and water them in well. With herbaceous perennials, cut the top growth down so that the roots can get established without wasting energy on leaves.
• Make sure tree stakes are secure to protect trees from strong winds.
• Tie in climbers, and cut back whippy growth.
• Mulch beds and borders with a thick layer of compost, bark or other mulching material to insulate plants and roots from cold temperatures. This is especially important for borderline-hardy plants.
• Keep up with clearing leaves from paths and terraces to avoid slipping, and from lawns to allow light onto the grass.
• Store leaves in bags to make excellent leafmould – a soil conditioner which you can’t buy. Keep them moist.
• Wash, dry and store any used pots, seed trays and containers to remove overwintering pests and diseases that may infect your plants next year.
• Clean and store away garden tools.

Preparing for cooler temperatures

• Be ready for frost with fleece to protect vulnerable plants.
• Remember that the roots of plants in containers are more susceptible to frost than plants in the ground, and therefore need protection. Move them to a more sheltered spot, or wrap bubble wrap or hessian around the pot.

Container gardening

• Raise pots and containers onto pot feet or bricks to aid drainage and prevent them becoming waterlogged.
• Get rid of summer bedding in containers. Pansies, violas and cyclamen will provide fresh colour and can be combined with small evergreen shrubs such as box, Euonymus, Choisya or a beautifully scented Sarcococca. Heathers, ivy and small conifers make good additions to mixed containers, or try an evergreen fern, a Hellebore or a beautifully coloured Heuchera.
• For a specimen plant in a container, try a Camellia, which will flower in early spring. For a more height, a standard bay tree or an olive might fit the bill. For something lower, a Skimmia, a box ball or yew cone. A pair of matching pots outside a door can look smart and colourful.
• Plant some potfuls of bulbs to flower next spring, either a pot of one variety or a bulb lasagne with a layer of tulips deep down, then some narcissi or hyacinths, and then some Anemone blanda or Scilla nearer the top.
• Have a pot of useful herbs – rosemary, thyme and sage will be happy in a sunny position.
• Pot up indoor narcissi and hyacinths, amaryllis too, ready for Christmas.

Pruning

• Acers, birches, walnuts and laburnum are better pruned now, after leaf fall, than after mid-winter, when the sap is rising and they may ‘bleed’.
• The winter months – from leaf fall to February – is the time to prune most deciduous trees.

Planting

• Continue planting bulbs in beds and containers: November is the ideal month for tulip planting. Some bulbs cope particularly well in shadier areas - bluebells, muscari, snowdrops, daffodils - and remember that bulbs can be planted under deciduous trees and shrubs, to flower before the canopy develops next year.
• With the good October temperatures we’ve had, the ground is still great for planting. The benefits of autumn planting are the warm soil, and cool nights which leads to good root growth and fewer losses. This applies to herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees - why not plant a deciduous tree or shrub with beautiful autumn colour and look forward to the display next year.
• Sow sweet peas ready for next year. Many people report much better results from autumn sown plants, kept in a cold frame over winter.

Vegetables and fruit

• Start winter pruning apples and pears at the end of the month, but this can be done right through the winter months.
• Apply glue bands to fruit trees to prevent the wingless female winter moth from climbing up and laying eggs in the branches.
• Lift parsnips as you need them, but leave them in the ground to get frosted as this helps the flavour.
• Sow broad beans for an early crop next year.

Lawns

• Now beds and borders are clear, try edging your lawn. Lawn edging creates a neat and tidy appearance and makes maintenance easier.
• It’s not too late to aerate your lawn to improve drainage.
• Keep the blades set high on the lawn mower for winter cuts.
• Don’t walk on wet or frosty lawns.

Pests and disease

• This month is your last chance to spray perennial weeds with systemic weed killers before growth slows down.
• Keep the battle up against squirrels - make their lives as difficult as possible in order to protect your newly planted bulbs. You can cover pots with chicken wire, sprinkle chilli powder around… there’s no simple answer, but it’s worth a try.
• Slugs and snails are still around, so continue to deter them from overwintering in your garden. Clear away rubbish - a tidy garden is a slug-free garden (or so they say).

Wildlife

• Clean out bird boxes as soon as possible: old nesting material can harbour parasites. Birds look for warm winter roost spots, and indeed, for somewhere to raise a family next year. If they are familiar with a box by spring, they are more likely to move in.
• Keep bird feeders full and provide a water supply too. Install a birdbath if you can, and keep the water fresh.
• Position bird tables so that cats and other predators can’t reach them.
• When tidying and cleaning in the garden, leave somewhere for wildlife such as hedgehogs and toads to hibernate. If you're planning a bonfire, check your pile for any wildlife before you light it.

Enjoy the autumn sights and smells, make the most of sunny clear days. My warm hats and scarves will be out of the drawer before the month is out, I’m sure!

See you next month

Sally