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The most destructive garden bugs

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The most destructive garden bugs: Green fingered homeowners falling victim to destructive garden bugs are being given advice on how to keep them away.

The team of outdoor experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have provided some cheap and easy solutions on how to tackle these bugs.

The most destructive garden bugs

The most destructive garden bugs

As the sun starts to come out, Brits are making the most of their outdoor space and making them look as beautiful as possible.

Unfortunately, the likes of moths, slugs and snails also come out in the sun and can do a lot of damage to gardens.

A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “It is inevitable that garden bugs will cause a bit of disruption, whether you’re out relaxing, planting your own veg or growing your own garden.

“This guide is full of some of the most destructive garden bugs and the top tips to help keep these at bay, so the outdoors can be stress-free.”

Slugs and Snails

Slugs and snails are some of the most common yet destructive garden pests. Not only do they leave a sticky trail behind them, but they also love to munch through leaves and vegetables. This can be particularly problematic on vegetable patches if you are growing plants like lettuce and cabbage.

Salt has always been a fool proof way of killing slugs and snails, but if you want to stop them in their tracks, copper tape acts as a great deterrent, giving them electric shocks.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars love to nibble their way through fruits, vegetables, and plants. They are also detrimental to some flowers too, with the buds and seeds often all destroyed.

One of the most natural and inexpensive ways to rid your plants of these pesky bugs, is to spray them with hot soapy water. This can then be poured into a spray bottle and used as many times as necessary.

Moths

This type of garden bug can be especially damaging in the summer months. They love cotton and wool fibres so homeowners need to be aware that leaving outdoor cushions and furniture in the garden could be targeted by moths.

An easy solution for deterring them is to use herbal sprays in the areas you want to protect. Herbs like lavender and rosemary are not loved by these bugs, and they also smell nice too.

May Bugs

Usually seen around May-time (up until July), which is how it earned its name, May Bugs can cause considerable damage to gardens. In their early years they live under the soil and feed off the roots of plants and flowers.

As there are not a lot of homemade options available to keep these bugs away, the best option is to use an insect killer.

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The Cordless Hover Mower ‘Typhoon’

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The Cordless Hover Mower ‘Typhoon’: A tornado of mowing fabulousness has just blown in from Mountfield and it is available to buy now from B&Q!

‘Typhoon’ is a cordless hover mower which will allow you to mow with the flow! This easy to use and easy to manoeuvre wonder of Mountfield mowing technology glides across grass, forwards, backwards and side to side, with the grace of a ballerina!…. And with no cord to get tangled in bushes, hedges, or garden furniture.

The Cordless Hover Mower 'Typhoon'

The Cordless Hover Mower ‘Typhoon’

The Typhoon is powered by 2 x 4Ah (20V) smart Stiga e-power batteries that provide ample power to cut lawns up to 100sqm from one charge.  The unique cutting deck traps the air to create the right amount of energy to produce the cushioning effect that lifts the mower from the ground similar to a hovercraft. The blade has been specially designed for maximum cutting efficiency without disturbing air flow.

As it is so lightweight, just 7kg, it is very easy to  transport to areas around the garden that require cutting.  It is also easy to store in any garden shed or garage, flat against the wall from a single hook.

The mower comes with 2 x 20V 4Ah batteries and a dual charger, the batteries are interchangeable within other products in the Freedom100 cordless range such as a grass trimmer, blower, vacuum shredder, hedge trimmer and multi-tool as well as a selection of 3 collecting mowers.

Easy mows it … it’s a lot less bother with a Mountfield!

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Garden of the Year award

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Garden of the Year award: The Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award 2022 kicks off this Friday (1 April 2022) with eight extraordinary gardens competing to be named the Garden of the Year in a public vote. The award, launching in 1984, and run in conjunction with Christie’s auction house, has gone from strength to strength since then with over ten thousand votes cast in the 2021 competition.

Shortlisted entries are chosen from among the hundreds of gardens, parks, and grounds that offer free entry to members of Historic Houses, the association that represents and supports the UK’s independent historic homes, castles, and gardens. Details of this year’s eight finalist gardens are detailed below. Voting opens at 10am on Friday 1 April 2022, with the voting page located on the Historic Houses website.

Garden of the Year award

Garden of the Year award

Ben Cowell, Director General of Historic Houses:

“Once again, our Garden of the Year Award celebrates the very best gardens from across the UK – and now, beyond. That’s because for the first time our shortlist features a garden from the Channel Islands too. We are very excited to launch this public vote, at the start of what we hope will be a very successful year for open gardens. The award shines a welcome spotlight on our national passion for horticulture – so we encourage everyone to take a look at the shortlist and cast their vote.”

Ursula Cholmeley, Chair of the Historic Houses Gardens Committee:

“The Garden of the Year Award recognises the beauty and quality of independent historic gardens – often still those of family-owned homes. The contemporary spirit of our great country houses is reflected in gardens in which each generation of inhabitants makes their mark and leaves a legacy for the future. These evolving gardens are amongst the finest in the country and we hope that you will get great pleasure from visiting some of these gardens and voting for your favourite.”

Orlando Rock, Chairman, Christie’s UK:

“If a garden is a reflection of a person’s soul (as The Prince of Wales said) the shortlist for the Historic Houses Garden of the Year sponsored by Christie’s exemplifies some truly wonderful individuals. In addition to being horticultural wonders, the gardens selected from the rich variety across the UK and beyond reveal the changing fashions and tastes which have shaped our outside spaces and lives. I urge you, the public, to vote, and more importantly to get out there, visit and enjoy.”

About the eight competing gardens

The garden at Abbotsford, in Melrose, Roxburghshire, is distinct in character; taken together, the layout forms three outdoor ‘rooms’ designed to offer picturesque settings for the main house. The gardens we see today are still fundamentally Sir Walter Scott’s work, though with certain alterations carried out by his descendants to adapt the space for the changing needs of the family.

The gardens at Bressingham Hall, in Suffolk, range from the colourful island borders encircling the front of the house, laid out by founder Alan Bloom, to Foggy Bottom gardens developed by Alan’s son Adrian. Here you will find wide curving walks and great drifts or ‘rivers’ of perennials and grasses.

At Grimsthorpe Castle Gardens, in Lincolnshire, there is a long history of gardening, which continues to this day with fresh planting ideas that provide something to enjoy whenever you visit. Intricate parterres marked with box hedges lie close to the Castle, and a dramatic herbaceous border frames views across the lake.

Mount Ephraim Gardens, in Kent, are most well-known for their spectacular ten-acre Edwardian gardens featuring a topiary garden, rock and water garden, arboretum and rose garden. They also have a fabulous grass maze, planted with ornamental grasses and herbaceous perennials, and are home to an extensive collection of spring bulbs, trees and shrubs including Rhododendrons, many types of Camelias and Magnolias.

Parcevall Hall Gardens, in North Yorkshire, are a renowned historic plantsman’s garden laid out from 1927 onwards by the late Sir William Milner and set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Comprising of 24 acres of formal and woodland gardens they rise up a hillside for 200 feet giving wonderful views in every direction.

At Pashley Manor Gardens, in East Sussex, you will discover eleven acres of beautiful borders and vistas – the culmination of a lifetime of passion for gardening and an admiration of the tradition of the English Country Garden. These award-winning gardens are family owned and maintained – visitors often express delight at the attention to detail displayed throughout and the intimate, peaceful atmosphere.

The Wild Subtropical Garden at Sausmarez Manor is an ancient woodland surrounding a couple of small lakes and is inter planted with exotic and subtropical plants, trees, ferns, and shrubs, which, because of Guernsey’s mild, equable climate can survive and flourish. Visitors can enjoy seeing around two hundred varieties of camellia, tree ferns from New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania, and around forty different bamboos.

At Wentworth Woodhouse’s gardens, in South Yorkshire, you’ll discover a wildflower meadow, ancient trees, shaded woodland copses and 18th Century follies. Roam at your leisure or follow a trail which begins at the Stables and takes in the West Terrace, and don’t miss the sweeping views from the Ha-Ha and South Terrace.

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The Grove collects another award

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The Grove collects another award: The Grove, London’s inspiring country escape, continues to win awards for outstanding achievement, underlined by being named ‘Environmental Golf Course of the Year’ at the Golf Environment Awards 2022.

These important industry accolades, managed and administered by STRI, reward outstanding golf courses, no matter how big or small, for the time and effort they have put into protecting and preserving their unique surroundings, with clear objectives and targets.

The Grove collects another award

The Grove collects another award

Watch Head Greenkeeper, Sam Reid, discuss The Grove’s sustainable practices HERE 

The Grove, which features an award-winning Top 100 ranked 18-hole championship golf course designed by Kyle Phillips, fought off strong competition from some of Europe’s leading golf destinations to win this prestigious accolade, which follows a trio of wins at the recent 59club Awards, the golf industry ‘Oscars’ for service and hospitality.

Commenting on the Environmental Golf Course of the Year accolade, Phillip Chiverton, Golf Course and Estate Manager at The Grove, said: “This award, which underlines a huge team effort at The Grove, recognises how we continue to successfully introduce environmentally sustainable management projects across and around our 18-hole golf course, and throughout the gardens and wider estate.

“These projects are achieving an increase in habitat varieties, significantly improving playing experiences for our daily fee-paying golfing guests, and providing a positive contribution to wildlife across the wider estate.”

The Grove’s Roll of Honour 2022:

  • Environmental Golf Course of the Year, Golf Environment Awards 2022.
  • Golf Manager of the Year – Brad Gould, 59club (second year running).
  • Greenkeeper of the Year – Phillip Chiverton, 59club (second year running).
  • Leading Individual Group Golf Sales Performance – Joel Westwell, 59club.
  • Gold Flag Destination, 59club – Industry benchmark for exceptional service.

The Grove, was also recently awarded GEO Certified® status. GEO Certified is the symbol of a great golf environment, confirming the facility satisfies all the certification criteria; meeting a credible standard in the areas of nature, resources, climate and community, and is committed to continual improvement.

Anna Darnell, Resort Leisure Director at The Grove, concluded: “This long list of industry awards recognises an incredible team effort that is delivered every day at The Grove. Our products and standards are first class, but it’s our dedicated people who deserve all the credit for bringing it to life, for the benefit of our customers.”

At-a-glance: Sustainability in Golf at The Grove

  • Rainfall compensation system creates annual water savings of up to 30%.
  • Computer monitoring of soil moisture levels accurately deliver water by volume and location.
  • Minimised areas of managed turf reduce mowing, irrigation and use of chemicals.
  • Collaboration with Hertfordshire & Middlesex Wildlife Trust created areas of naturalised habitat, including River Gade chalk stream conservation, maintenance of native fescue grasses, and the introduction of wildflower areas (Operation Pollinator).
  • New wetland area within woodland, creating new environments for newts, frogs, water vowels and dragonflies.
  • Ongoing investment in renewable energy programmes.
  • Active management of woodlands, creating new habitats for wildlife and replanting where appropriate.

The 18-hole rolling parkland golf course remains the only venue in the UK to have hosted a World Golf Championship event (in 2006, won by Tiger Woods). It has also hosted the DP World Tour’s British Masters in 2016.

Beyond its pristine fairways and greens, The Grove’s 18th-century Mansion houses 26 rooms, suites and lounges decorated with a 21st-century spin on vintage glamour.

There’s also the thoroughly modern West Wing with a further 189 deluxe, superior and family rooms. Many of these rooms have balconies and terraces looking over immaculate formal gardens.

For further information: www.thegrove.co.uk

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Makita puts the power in your hands

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Makita puts the power in your hands: Makita UK has expanded its powerful XGT 40VMax range of machines to offer professional users even more high-power products to aid their efficiency and productivity on site.

LS003G XGT 40VMax 305mm Brushless Slide Compound Mitre Saw

The new LS003G has been designed for high precision and consistent smooth cutting. It has an LED lamp that casts a helpful shadow of the saw blade onto the workpiece, acting as an accurate cutting line. The LS003G delivers an impressive no-load speed of up to 3,600rpm and has a maximum mitre range of 60° to 60° (L-R) and bevel range of 48° to 48° (L-R). For maximum versatility, the LS003G’s rail forward design means that the rear of the machine can be placed close to the wall, and the subbase supports a wide workpiece.

Makita puts the power in your hands

Makita puts the power in your hands

For improved safety, the LS003G also features Makita’s Auto Start Wireless System that automatically connects the LS003G to compatible dust extractors via Bluetooth so that when the machine is in use, the dust extractor automatically runs.

AS001G XGT 40VMax Brushless Dust Blower

The AS001G is an incredibly versatile machine and can be used across a range of tasks including tool maintenance and cleaning, inflating and deflating inner tubes, blowing dust away from equipment and cleaning air conditioner filters thanks to its blower and vacuum modes. For increased usability, it delivers a maximum air volume of 1.1m3/min, sealed suction of 10.3kPa and air pressure of 20.6kPa. With four air volume options to choose from and one touch nozzle replacement, it is easy to adjust the tool to suit the task in hand.

The AS001G also includes a filter to prevent foreign matter from being sucked in and damaging the tool.

VC001GL and VC003GL XGT 40VMax L-Class Dust Extractors

With Makita’s powerful XGT 40VMax technology at their core, the VC001GL and VC003GL dust extractors deliver impressive output that is equivalent to corded alternatives. Both machines can house two XGT 40VMax batteries so that when the first battery runs out of charge, the second one automatically kicks in to keep the machine running for longer. To improve productivity further, the VC001GL and VC003GL have large tank capacities of 8-litres and 15-litres respectively, preventing the need to regularly down tools to empty the dust bag.

With numerous power options available, including ‘high power’ and ‘quiet’ modes, users can easily select the most appropriate setting for the application. The VC001GL and VC003GL can also be used for both wet and dry vacuum cleaning, providing professionals with a solution for every job. For wet vacuuming, the machines benefit from IPX-4 water resistance rating.

The VC001GL and VC003GL’s quiet operation means they can be used in occupied premises with minimal disruption to the building’s occupants.

CW001G XGT 40VMax Cooler/Warmer Box

The CW001G is the perfect jobsite companion. This 20litre cooler and warmer box has seven temperature settings ranging from -18oC up to 60oC, to either cool or warm food and drink items, for year-round usability. It also features a bottle opener and USB output port for charging mobile devices. For ease of transportation, the CW001G has large 100mm caster wheels and a carry handle with grips for added comfort.

The CW001G can be powered by four sources, so it can be easily added to any tradesperson’s Makita collection. Users can choose from using their XGT or LXT batteries, or a car DC utility socket, or an AC adapter.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “At Makita, we are dedicated to offering tradespeople a wide range of cordless solutions to suit any job or on-site need. Our XGT range of products are ideal for those looking expand their existing Makita cordless toolkits with a selection of even more powerful models suited to higher demand applications.”

To find out more about Makita and its products visit: www.makitauk.com

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