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Two Good Gardeners
Summer Holiday Hacks
Season 3, Ep. 7
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In this episode, Dan and Julia share tips for keeping your garden in top condition while you take a well-deserved summer break. Your hosts advise on preparing lawns, vegetable plots, containers, greenhouses, and houseplants before your holiday. Dan chooses his favourite tools for trimming hedges and cutting back early-flowering perennials, and, inspired by Wimbledon, Julia shares a money-saving trick for propagating new strawberry plants.
Dan & Julia's Pre-Holiday Checklist:
- Check your home weather forecast before departure and plan accordingly.
- Water everything thoroughly, especially container plants, camellias, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and houseplants.
- Install a drip irrigation system or seeper hose - use a timer to save water and hassle.
- Cut and edge lawns - but not too short if hot weather is predicted.
- Weed everywhere.
- Guard against pest damage by laying traps, using nets and maintaining good ventilation.
- Support tall and heavily laden plants with canes or stakes.
- Pick open flowers, ripening fruit and vegetables - give them away or preserve them for later.
- Move outdoor pots into the shade and houseplants out of the full sun
- Top-up ponds and birdbaths and provide water for pollinating insects
- Secure valuables in sheds or move them into a locked garage
And remember, if your garden looks a little shaggy when you return, it will be superficial and can quickly be fixed.
Dan's Product Picks:
- Niwaki Shears
- Niwaki Mini Shears
- Jakoti Hand Shears
- Grow Bag Trays for keeping houseplants moist while away.
Website links:
- Dan Cooper Garden
- Parker's Patch
- Produced by Scott Kennet at Red Lighthouse Local
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35:05||Season 2, Ep. 8In the final episode of Series 2, Dan & Julia reflect on the many highlights of a busy and eventful year and share their New Year's resolutions.They'll return with Series 3 in spring 2024. If you've enjoyed Series 2, then click follow on your favourite podcast platform, so you're notified when new episodes are launched. Leaving a rating or writing a review will help us know what you like and how we can do better in future.The book 'The Secret Gardens of Cornwall', which Dan talks about, is available from Waterstones. Sussex gardens are covered in 'Secret Gardens of the South East' by our friend Barbara Segall (which we really should have remembered!), also available from Waterstones.Your hosts wish you a very Happy New Year and look forward to entertaining you again soon.Website links:Dan Cooper GardenParker's PatchAlitex Modern Victorian Greenhouses