Caring for your garden


Caring for your Trees, Roses and Shrubs Shrubs Shrubs often form the framework for the garden. They often provide year round interest and are great for giving the look of maturity to an area. With such an array of sizes, shapes and colour to choose from there is a shrub to suit any situation or site within the garden and can be invaluable at providing architectural interest. As shrubs are often permanent features within the garden it is essential to ensure the area is well prepared before planting. Dig well adding organic Farmyard Manure or other organic matter into the area to improve soil structure and nutrient levels. Also add a general fertiliser to the ground such as Bone Meal Root Builder. Water well for the first year to help shrubs become well established. In following seasons watering is often only required in periods of drought. Feeding regularly with Rose & Shrub Feed maintains healthy nutrient levels and ensure plants can thrive. Mulch after planting using Bed and Border Chipped Bark or Golden Pine Bark for large borders and areas, and a finer mulch such as Decorative Mini Bark for small borders. Mulch regularly in subsequent years when the ground is wet and warm. Keep a watch on early shoots for the first signs of pests. Many pests such as aphids coincide their life cycles with the growth pattern of your plants, so as your roses and shrubs burst into growth this provides vital food for the first generations of this year’s pests. Be vigilant and deal with them as soon as you see them using eBug Attack+ Ready

Caring for your Trees, Roses and Shrubs

Shrubs

Shrubs often form the framework for the garden. They often provide year round interest and are great for giving the look of maturity to an area. With such an array of sizes, shapes and colour to choose from there is a shrub to suit any situation or site within the garden and can be invaluable at providing architectural interest.

As shrubs are often permanent features within the garden it is essential to ensure the area is well prepared before planting. Dig well adding organic Farmyard Manure or other organic matter into the area to improve soil structure and nutrient levels. Also add a general fertiliser to the ground such as Bone Meal Root Builder.

Water well for the first year to help shrubs become well established. In following seasons watering is often only required in periods of drought.

Feeding regularly with Rose & Shrub Feed maintains healthy nutrient levels and ensure plants can thrive. Mulch after planting using Bed and Border Chipped Bark or Golden Pine Bark for large borders and areas, and a finer mulch such as Decorative Mini Bark for small borders. Mulch regularly in subsequent years when the ground is wet and warm.

Keep a watch on early shoots for the first signs of pests. Many pests such as aphids coincide their life cycles with the growth pattern of your plants, so as your roses and shrubs burst into growth this provides vital food for the first generations of this year’s pests. Be vigilant and deal with them as soon as you see them using eBug Attack+ Ready


Roses Roses come in many forms, varying in height, colour, foliage and growth habit. Available as climbers, hybrid teas, ground cover, shrubs, miniature, ramblers to name but a few. There is a rose for every gardener and every situation. Many have wonderful fragrances too. Plant in pots using West+ Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost or mix into planting holes in borders to give new roses the best start. Routine care includes regular feeding as they are hungry plants that require nutrient rich soil to thrive. Feed using Rose & Shrub Feed or Sulphate of Potash. Initially roses require regular watering but once established their deep roots ensure they can survive well even in long, dry summers. Remove any rose leaves showing signs of disease such as black spot, rust and mildew and either burn them or put them in the bin. Don’t add them to the compost or you will help to spread the problem to other roses in the garden. Treat plants with Fungus Attack+ Ready to Use to deal with diseases and provide protection from further attacks. Always check leaf buds and soft growth for aphids, as they can multiply rapidly and ruin blooms. Try using Westland Bug Attack+ Readay to Use to spot treat buds and growth. Westland Bug Attack RTU will also control Red Spider Mite which can be a problem on wall trained and patio roses, causing mottled yellow foliage. In April or may prune roses removing any dead and diseased stems. Open up the centre of the bush by removing any overgrown stems and any that are rubbing together. Always prune just above an outward facing bud, as this encourages the plant to grow out rather than in and creates a much better shape overall. An overcrowded bush is much more susceptible to pest and disease problems.

Roses

Roses come in many forms, varying in height, colour, foliage and growth habit. Available as climbers, hybrid teas, ground cover, shrubs, miniature, ramblers to name but a few. There is a rose for every gardener and every situation. Many have wonderful fragrances too.

Plant in pots using West+ Rose, Tree & Shrub Compost or mix into planting holes in borders to give new roses the best start.

Routine care includes regular feeding as they are hungry plants that require nutrient rich soil to thrive. Feed using Rose & Shrub Feed or Sulphate of Potash.

Initially roses require regular watering but once established their deep roots ensure they can survive well even in long, dry summers.

Remove any rose leaves showing signs of disease such as black spot, rust and mildew and either burn them or put them in the bin. Don’t add them to the compost or you will help to spread the problem to other roses in the garden. Treat plants with Fungus Attack+ Ready to Use to deal with diseases and provide protection from further attacks. Always check leaf buds and soft growth for aphids, as they can multiply rapidly and ruin blooms. Try using Westland Bug Attack+ Readay to Use to spot treat buds and growth. Westland Bug Attack RTU will also control Red Spider Mite which can be a problem on wall trained and patio roses, causing mottled yellow foliage.

In April or may prune roses removing any dead and diseased stems. Open up the centre of the bush by removing any overgrown stems and any that are rubbing together. Always prune just above an outward facing bud, as this encourages the plant to grow out rather than in and creates a much better shape overall. An overcrowded bush is much more susceptible to pest and disease problems.


Climbers Climbers are a great asset to any garden adding height and colour to any garden. Whether grown against walls or trellis or allowed to scramble through other plants and trees they can add seasonal interest or disguise unsightly features. Popular climbers include Clematis, Wisteria, honeysuckle and passion flowers. Many climbers are happy to be grown in containers and some can be used for ground cover or grown in shade. When planting ensure the area is weed free. Mix organic Farmyard Manure or other organic matter into the area before planting to improve soil structure and nutrient levels. Routine care includes feeding in spring using a general fertiliser such as Growmore. In season use Feed All Slow Release Feed for controlled release over 6 months. Water well for at least one year following planting to ensure plants become established. If growing in containers more regular watering will be necessary.

Climbers

Climbers are a great asset to any garden adding height and colour to any garden. Whether grown against walls or trellis or allowed to scramble through other plants and trees they can add seasonal interest or disguise unsightly features.

Popular climbers include Clematis, Wisteria, honeysuckle and passion flowers. Many climbers are happy to be grown in containers and some can be used for ground cover or grown in shade.

When planting ensure the area is weed free. Mix organic Farmyard Manure or other organic matter into the area before planting to improve soil structure and nutrient levels.

Routine care includes feeding in spring using a general fertiliser such as Growmore. In season use Feed All Slow Release Feed for controlled release over 6 months.

Water well for at least one year following planting to ensure plants become established. If growing in containers more regular watering will be necessary.


Ornamental Trees Trees immediately add height and structure to the garden and are great at providing a focal point. Trees can be selected for their foliage, shape, flowers or bark and no matter the size of the garden it is possible to find a suitable tree. Pots and containers can also be used for successfully growing trees provided the correct specimen is used. If planting in beds or borders select a well drained site and dig well incorporating plenty of organic matter such as organic Farmyard Manure. Mix fertiliser such as Bone Meal Root Builder into the planting hole. It is often necessary to stake newly planted trees to provide a little extra support until trees become established to minimise the risk of damage from wind. For the first years mulch in autumn using organic Farmyard Manure to increase nutrient levels. Feed in spring using Bone Meal Root Builder. Newly planted trees also require regular watering for the first 2 or 3 years. Once well established watering is only required in periods of drought

Ornamental Trees

Trees immediately add height and structure to the garden and are great at providing a focal point. Trees can be selected for their foliage, shape, flowers or bark and no matter the size of the garden it is possible to find a suitable tree. Pots and containers can also be used for successfully growing trees provided the correct specimen is used.

If planting in beds or borders select a well drained site and dig well incorporating plenty of organic matter such as organic Farmyard Manure. Mix fertiliser such as Bone Meal Root Builder into the planting hole.

It is often necessary to stake newly planted trees to provide a little extra support until trees become established to minimise the risk of damage from wind.

For the first years mulch in autumn using organic Farmyard Manure to increase nutrient levels. Feed in spring using Bone Meal Root Builder.

Newly planted trees also require regular watering for the first 2 or 3 years. Once well established watering is only required in periods of drought


Autumn Lawn Care Autumn is a critical time in the lawn care calendar. Help to prepare the lawn to make it through the difficult winter months and ensure that your lawn looks its best come the Spring. Mowing As the weather starts to change the grass will be growing much more slowly. Adjust the cutting height on your lawnmower so that it cuts the grass higher. Mow about once a fortnight until about mid October, depending on the weather conditions. Recut the lawn edges with a half moon edging iron to create a neat finish. Trim the lawn edges every week using lawn-edging shears to give a neat finish. Feeding and Conditioning Don’t be tempted to use a summer feed on the lawn now. Instead treat the lawn to Westland Autumn Lawn Feed & Moss Killer which will deal with moss and feed the lawn in one easy application. You can still give the lawn a boost with Westland Aftercut Lawn Feed & Conditioner. This can be applied after mowing until the end of October. Aerate compacted areas and apply Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing to fill in any holes, cracks and hollows. Weed and Moss Control If the lawn is very mossy then either treat with Westland Autumn Lawn Feed & Moss Killer or use Westland Lawn Sand. Wait until the moss has turned black, (about 2 weeks) and remove the dead moss with a spring tine rake. Lawn Repairs Re-sow bare patches using high quality grass seed. Be sure to sweep up fallen autumn leaves and to keep the lawn free from debris. New Lawns Autumn is a very good time to sow a new lawn from seed. The soil is still warm from the summer and the autumn rain will provide vital moisture as the new lawn develops. It is vital to prepare the soil thoroughly and to keep the developing lawn properly watered. Repair damaged or worn areas of the lawn. Large areas can be top dressed with Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing and then over sown with an appropriate lawn seed. Westland Fast Acting Lawn Seed is ideal for quick establishment or choose a lawn seed that is specially formulated to suit your garden conditions and the way you use your

Autumn Lawn Care

Autumn is a critical time in the lawn care calendar. Help to prepare the lawn to make it through the difficult winter months and ensure that your lawn looks its best come the Spring.

Mowing

As the weather starts to change the grass will be growing much more slowly. Adjust the cutting height on your lawnmower so that it cuts the grass higher. Mow about once a fortnight until about mid October, depending on the weather conditions.

Recut the lawn edges with a half moon edging iron to create a neat finish.

Trim the lawn edges every week using lawn-edging shears to give a neat finish.

Feeding and Conditioning

Don’t be tempted to use a summer feed on the lawn now. Instead treat the lawn to Westland Autumn Lawn Feed & Moss Killer which will deal with moss and feed the lawn in one easy application.
You can still give the lawn a boost with Westland Aftercut Lawn Feed & Conditioner. This can be applied after mowing until the end of October.

Aerate compacted areas and apply Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing to fill in any holes, cracks and hollows.

Weed and Moss Control

If the lawn is very mossy then either treat with Westland Autumn Lawn Feed & Moss Killer or use Westland Lawn Sand. Wait until the moss has turned black, (about 2 weeks) and remove the dead moss with a spring tine rake.

Lawn Repairs

Re-sow bare patches using high quality grass seed.

Be sure to sweep up fallen autumn leaves and to keep the lawn free from debris.

New Lawns

Autumn is a very good time to sow a new lawn from seed. The soil is still warm from the summer and the autumn rain will provide vital moisture as the new lawn develops. It is vital to prepare the soil thoroughly and to keep the developing lawn properly watered.

Repair damaged or worn areas of the lawn. Large areas can be top dressed with Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing and then over sown with an appropriate lawn seed. Westland Fast Acting Lawn Seed is ideal for quick establishment or choose a lawn seed that is specially formulated to suit your garden conditions and the way you use your


FEEDING PLANTS One of the most difficult messages to get across to gardeners is that plants need extra feed to reach their full potential. Even though they may seem to be growing well you will be amazed how much better they will perform with a proper feeding regime. Garden soils are quickly depleted by heavy rain and vigorous plant growth and one of the first things to become unavailable are specific minerals and trace elements. These are essential to healthy plant growth and can be replaced using a good quality plant food. To make feeding simple, use the Feed-all range of food. It is specially formulated to suit most garden plants and will provide a generous proportion of all the essential plant nutrients, plus trace elements to keep plants performing. For the best results with ericaceous plants use Rhododendron, Azalea & Camellia Plant Food that is tailored to provide a high-quality diet for these specialist plants. Often the soil they are growing in is alkaline, so it is important to acidify their root zone and supply them with an easily assimilated fertiliser. Use Rhodo, Azalea and Camellia Granular Plant Food, it has a low pH which helps to unlock essential nutrients from the soil, and it also contains iron that alleviates plant chlorosis (yellowing leaves) and helps provide these special plants with just the right diet to suit their needs and perform to their full potential. For more targeted feeding for other garden plants choose a plant food specially formulated for your plants from the extensive Westland Garden Health range. For example example Rose, Tree & Shrub Granular Plant Food is specially formulated for roses, trees and shrubs and is a particularly good choice for flowering shrubs. Use this for a summer feed to boost the plants before autumn. Be sure not to feed the plants too late in the season or you will encourage soft and sappy growth that may be damaged by the winter weather. Flowerbeds and borders can be fed using Nutri Plant Feed. It is a liquid concentrate that can be diluted and watered onto the soil and over the foliage of your plants for fast acting results. It’s the perfect choice for all garden plants and it gives fast, effective results. This formulation contains trace elements, which are important where mineral deficiencies in the soil or compost may be present. It is also high in potassium to encourage the development of strong, healthy flowers and has a generous proportion of nitrogen too, for healthy leaves. Keep feeding your container plants throughout the summer. They need plenty of food to keep them in tip-top condition. Several plants growing in a container will quickly use up the fertiliser held in the compost. While your plants are at their peak and to keep them performing into the early autumn, feed them now with one of the Westland fertilisers. Nutri Plant Feed is a good choice for containers and it is also available in a convenient ready to use formulation. It’s the perfect choice for containerised plants and it gives fast, effective results. This formulation contains trace elements, which are important where mineral deficiencies in the soil or compost may be present. It is also high in potassium to encourage the development of strong, healthy flowers and has a generous proportion of nitrogen too, for healthy leaves.

FEEDING PLANTS

One of the most difficult messages to get across to gardeners is that plants need extra feed to reach their full potential. Even though they may seem to be growing well you will be amazed how much better they will perform with a proper feeding regime. Garden soils are quickly depleted by heavy rain and vigorous plant growth and one of the first things to become unavailable are specific minerals and trace elements. These are essential to healthy plant growth and can be replaced using a good quality plant food.

To make feeding simple, use the Feed-all range of food. It is specially formulated to suit most garden plants and will provide a generous proportion of all the essential plant nutrients, plus trace elements to keep plants performing. For the best results with ericaceous plants use Rhododendron, Azalea & Camellia Plant Food that is tailored to provide a high-quality diet for these specialist plants. Often the soil they are growing in is alkaline, so it is important to acidify their root zone and supply them with an easily assimilated fertiliser. Use Rhodo, Azalea and Camellia Granular Plant Food, it has a low pH which helps to unlock essential nutrients from the soil, and it also contains iron that alleviates plant chlorosis (yellowing leaves) and helps provide these special plants with just the right diet to suit their needs and perform to their full potential.
For more targeted feeding for other garden plants choose a plant food specially formulated for your plants from the extensive Westland Garden Health range. For example example Rose, Tree & Shrub Granular Plant Food is specially formulated for roses, trees and shrubs and is a particularly good choice for flowering shrubs. Use this for a summer feed to boost the plants before autumn. Be sure not to feed the plants too late in the season or you will encourage soft and sappy growth that may be damaged by the winter weather.
Flowerbeds and borders can be fed using Nutri Plant Feed. It is a liquid concentrate that can be diluted and watered onto the soil and over the foliage of your plants for fast acting results. It’s the perfect choice for all garden plants and it gives fast, effective results. This formulation contains trace elements, which are important where mineral deficiencies in the soil or compost may be present. It is also high in potassium to encourage the development of strong, healthy flowers and has a generous proportion of nitrogen too, for healthy leaves.
Keep feeding your container plants throughout the summer. They need plenty of food to keep them in tip-top condition. Several plants growing in a container will quickly use up the fertiliser held in the compost. While your plants are at their peak and to keep them performing into the early autumn, feed them now with one of the Westland fertilisers. Nutri Plant Feed is a good choice for containers and it is also available in a convenient ready to use formulation. It’s the perfect choice for containerised plants and it gives fast, effective results. This formulation contains trace elements, which are important where mineral deficiencies in the soil or compost may be present. It is also high in potassium to encourage the development of strong, healthy flowers and has a generous proportion of nitrogen too, for healthy leaves.


Pots and CONTAINERS You can’t beat the effect of plenty of pots and containers all around the garden for colour and interest. It’s a great way to ring the changes on a regular basis. Even in August there are plenty of sun loving plants that you can grow in pots on the patio. Keep feeding your container plants. Even though you may have used a controlled release fertiliser you can still give plants a boost by a tonic feed of Nutri Plant Feed Water the plants thoroughly before applying and then apply the diluted feed via a watering can. If it is very hot and dry keep a close eye on hanging baskets and terracotta pots. Drying winds will quickly desiccate the compost and hot weather can scorch plants that have no shade. Move exposed baskets to a more sheltered, shady position. Make sure they are thoroughly watered. Bring them down off their brackets in the evening. Stand them on buckets and give them a really thorough soaking until the compost is saturated. Collect any run off in the buckets below and use this water for other container plants. Re-hang the baskets at night to keep them away from marauding slugs. If you haven’t already done so, feed potted shrubs and perennials. Top dress the compost surface with fresh Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes and push Feed-all Slow Release Tablets into the compost. Water thoroughly. In hot weather your patio pots will be very demanding in terms of water. Water them at dusk, and make sure that the compost is thoroughly soaked. If the weather is intense, consider moving the planters into the shade so that the plants do not suffer. Continue to dead head flowering plants in pots and baskets so that they keep flowering. Prepare your pots and containers well in advance if you are planning a holiday. For complete convenience set up an automatic watering system with a water timer that will water your plants in your absence. Make sure you try it out before you leave and be sure to switch the tap on. Move all the pots together to make watering easier if a friend is helping to water them and place them in the shade out of direct sunlight to keep the compost moist for longer.

Pots and CONTAINERS

You can’t beat the effect of plenty of pots and containers all around the garden for colour and interest. It’s a great way to ring the changes on a regular basis. Even in August there are plenty of sun loving plants that you can grow in pots on the patio.

Keep feeding your container plants. Even though you may have used a controlled release fertiliser you can still give plants a boost by a tonic feed of Nutri Plant Feed Water the plants thoroughly before applying and then apply the diluted feed via a watering can.
If it is very hot and dry keep a close eye on hanging baskets and terracotta pots. Drying winds will quickly desiccate the compost and hot weather can scorch plants that have no shade. Move exposed baskets to a more sheltered, shady position. Make sure they are thoroughly watered. Bring them down off their brackets in the evening. Stand them on buckets and give them a really thorough soaking until the compost is saturated. Collect any run off in the buckets below and use this water for other container plants. Re-hang the baskets at night to keep them away from marauding slugs.
If you haven’t already done so, feed potted shrubs and perennials. Top dress the compost surface with fresh Multi-Purpose Compost with added John Innes and push Feed-all Slow Release Tablets into the compost. Water thoroughly.
In hot weather your patio pots will be very demanding in terms of water. Water them at dusk, and make sure that the compost is thoroughly soaked. If the weather is intense, consider moving the planters into the shade so that the plants do not suffer.
Continue to dead head flowering plants in pots and baskets so that they keep flowering.
Prepare your pots and containers well in advance if you are planning a holiday. For complete convenience set up an automatic watering system with a water timer that will water your plants in your absence. Make sure you try it out before you leave and be sure to switch the tap on. Move all the pots together to make watering easier if a friend is helping to water them and place them in the shade out of direct sunlight to keep the compost moist for longer.