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It’s getting towards that time of year again …Christmas really is just around the corner! Our stock of Nordman (non dropping) trees will start arriving at the end of the month from our usual source (a small family-run business in Belgium). The trees are cut-to-order from sustainable stock, to ensure you get the freshest trees possible. As mentioned in last month's newsletter, prices for larger trees have increased this year due to their scarcity, but you’ll find that we’re still very competitive, and (as those of you who have been buying our trees over the last few years know) you just cannot beat our trees for quality. The smaller trees (3’ – 6’) remain at last year’s prices.

This year we are again offering our unique Christmas tree service, which includes a 10% discount on all pre-ordered trees:

Pre-order and pay for your Christmas tree by 30^th November, either over the phone or in the garden centre (stipulating exactly what you want in terms of height and shape), and we’ll reserve your tree as soon as the delivery arrives, and knock 10% off the price. We will then deliver it locally, free of charge, on the day you want it. 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).

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.

The Christmas trees are priced as follows:

3’ (90cm) £28
4’ (1.2m) £38
5’ (1.5m) £48
6’ (1.8m) £58
7’ (2.1m) £78
8’ (2.4m) £98
9’ (2.7m) £118
10’ (3m) £138

We can whittle down the base of your tree to fit a stand, and deliver it together with a Christmas tree stand (£17.50) if you need one.

Other Christmas goodies for you to be aware of include:

Cut flowers, door wreaths and table decorations

Even though Tamsin is no longer with us (having moved out of London permanently), FEAR NOT! We have a fabulous replacement in the form of Catherine, who will be running the florist area for us this year. We are very lucky to have persuaded her to join us for December, as she creates the most glorious hand-tied bouquets, table decorations and Christmas wreaths.

Catherine is also offering a bespoke Christmas tree decorating service. The last installation for this will be the week ending 17^th December. If you are interested and want to know more, come along and chat to her.

Catherine will be selling fresh cut flowers, berried stems and lots of gorgeous things from Saturday 3rd December.

Come along and say “hi” to her, and pre-book all your fresh flower requirements.

Decorations

You seem to love the gorgeous tree decorations we’ve been selling for a couple of years now. Come in and see our tree displaying the increased range.

We have in stock some sumptuous Gel Gems decorations with a Christmas theme for you to try. These jewel-coloured clear stickers brighten up any child’s window or over-door glass panel, and are easily removable, leaving no trace. Incredibly priced at just £3.95 for a small pack or £5.95 for a large one, you really can’t go wrong.

Present ideas

Garden inspired gifts include handmade nesting and feed boxes for birds, handmade in Hertfordshire. They’ll complement any garden in their soft muted colours.

Children adore our insect, ladybird and butterfly houses, as well as the window feeders which allow viewing of feeding birds from inside.

We’ve expanded our range of items for children, which now includes some fantastic little kits for children to learn about paper-making, knots, finger knitting, and trees - to name but a few - as well as easy-to-carry-around games including Jacks and Dice.

Our range of True Grace candles remains a firm favourite with many of you, and the winter scents are now back in stock, including the ever popular Fig, Cedar, Cinnamon and Clove but now also including Log Fire (a “Marmite” one!) and Stem Ginger.

Our plant-inspired Heyland and Whittle body care range is always a winner, using only natural ingredients of the highest quality, and beautifully packaged.

For the more practically minded, how about a garden thermometer, or a stylish counter top compost bucket, twine on a stand that also hides a cutter, multi-bladed herb scissors, delicate porcelain mugs, rustic blue and white plant pots …we sell so much more than plants and compost!

For something really special and unique, look no further than our Vintage Shed. Of course, the contents change constantly, so I can’t promise what you’ll find, but it’s always worth a good look round. From something as little as a set of leather dice shakers, to something as large as a farmhouse kitchen side board, you’ll find a wealth of treasures inside.

We’re always happy to make up a bespoke trug or basket if you want to create something a little different, and, if all else fails, don’t forget you can purchase gift vouchers from us.

Ok – enough about Christmas …. let’s get back to the serious business of gardening. The next section, as always, should inspire you to get out … whatever the weather.

Kindest regards

Karen

PS Don’t forget – you can pre-order your Christmas tree from Tuesday 1^st November, by phone, email or in person.

Lastly, a reminder that our opening hours in November are 10am – 4pm every day.

PS   

Opening Hours October and November: Monday to Sunday  10am – 4pm   

Tel:020 8670 7788 www.alleynpark.co.uk

Garden Jobs for November

As I write this in mid-October, we’ve just had some glorious sunny days and unusually warm temperatures. Some plants have put on a spurt of growth, but I think this will be short lived. The autumn fanfare of colour isn’t in full swing yet, but there are hints of reds and yellows beginning to show. Cold weather is threatened, and although we all hate it, a cold winter is good for many of our native plants – the fabulous crop of berries this autumn is due to the freezing temperatures of last winter.

Planting, pruning and protection

• Continue to plant trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants when the weather allows. Remember to water anything that’s been planted recently.
• Bulbs – outdoors, November is the best time to plant Alliums and Tulips, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Indoors – bowls of Hyacinth and indoor Narcissi are easy to do and will fill rooms with scent later in the winter, and Amaryllis make a fantastic display.
• Wallflowers can be planted, as well as winter pansies, violas, polyanthus and primrose, and Myosotis – Forget-me-not – which will flower in spring.
• Continue to cut back and tidy herbaceous plants which won’t provide winter interest.
• Prune roses and other climbing plants to prevent wind rock and damage.
• Acers, birches, walnuts and laburnum are better pruned now than after mid-winter, when they may ‘bleed’.
• Stand pots on feet or bricks to prevent water logging.
• Protect delicate plants with fleece and straw, and fasten securely.

Planning

Look around at the rich autumn colours and make a note of trees and shrubs which catch your eye, and which could add a splash of colour in your garden. You’re guaranteed to notice

• Parrotia persica – ironwood;
• Acer – Japanese maple;
• Liquidambar – sweetgum;
• Cercidyphyllum - katsura tree,
• Euonymous alatus – spindle tree;
• Amelanchier - snowy mespilus;
• Cotinus – smoke bush

all of which have fantastic colour ranging from buttery yellows to fiery reds.

As mentioned last month, have a look at plants with worthy seed heads for winter structure and interest: Phlomis russeliana, Veronicastrum virginicum, Actaea simplex, Cynara cardunculus, Sedum 'Herbstfreude', Echinacea purpurea, and various Eryngium all add lovely profiles. As well as looking good, many of the seed heads are a food source for birds.

Leaves and lawns

• Keep raking up leaves from lawns, to allow precious light to reach the grass.
• Leaves can be gathered into leaf sacks. They take longer to break down than other vegetative compost, so don’t put many into the ordinary compost bin. Breaking them (e.g. by mowing) can speed up the composting process. Avoid walking on lawns in wet or frosty weather to reduce damage and compaction.

General garden maintenance

• Check fences and trellis and repair as necessary.
• Cover ponds with netting to prevent leaves falling in, but leave access for wildlife.
• Clear away any remaining debris form vegetable gardens and containers.
• Drain and put away irrigation hoses and equipment to avoid freezing.
• Clean paths, decking and patio areas.
• Clean tools and equipment before storing in a dry shed or cupboard.
• Empty and clean flower pots, to be stored away. If left lying around, they will provide a lovely home for over wintering snails!

Wildlife

• Clean out nesting boxes for birds, and put up some new ones.
• Put out food and water regularly for the birds.
• When tidying and cleaning in the garden, leave somewhere for wildlife such as hedgehogs and toads to hibernate.

Garden pests and disease

We are often asked about dealing with squirrels, a number one enemy in south east London gardens. Unfortunately it's a case of living with them, but making life as difficult as possible for them. At this time of year they dig up and eat corms and bulbs, especially crocus and tulip, and perform amazing feats to get at bird food. You can deter them from newly buried bulbs with a wire mesh and use a bird feeder with a robust outer wire cage.

See you next month.

Sally

Opening Hours October and November:– Monday - Sunday  10:00am - 4:00pm

Tel:020 8670 7788 www.alleynpark.co.uk