2010
Welcome to 2010 and some New Year snow which created temporary perfection in many gardens!
The
Garden Enclosure is once again open each day, except Tuesdays and
Wednesdays, from 10am. Winter closing time is 4pm, continuing to the
end of February.
We're looking forward to another busy year with
more new lines being added to our existing range, plus of course, more
superb plants from local and regional growers. Check out this news page
for updates and seasonal information, or visit us in Banham and be
inspired!
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Seed
potatoes, onions & shallot sets are all now in stock. If space is
limited and the standard 2.5kg bag of seed potatoes is more than you
require, try a 'taster pack' of just 10 tubers (organic varieties
included).
When making your selection, bear in mind that 'early'
seed potatoes can be less prone to problems and will crop when prices
are still high in the shops, whereas maincrop varieties are generally
lifted later and are suitable for storing.
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Still
on the theme of growing your own, call in for your choice of vegetable
seeds, or if you're not keen on the seed-sowing stage and don't wish to
deal with excess numbers of seedlings, we'll have young plants of
tomatoes, squash, sweetcorn, cucumber (all female) and more available
for you later in the season.
Moving on to fruit, there's still just
time to plant bare-root trees and bushes before they come into leaf, so
order now if possible.
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We
stock a good selection of nest boxes, including some for individual
species, for instance sparrow terraces, swallow and house martin
nesting bowls, little owl boxes and others. For the keen observer we
even have camera nest boxes, supplied with a 20 metre cable that plugs
straight into your TV scart socket, to give you live sound and pictures
day or night.
Other dates for your diary. Look out for the Garden Enclosure plant stall at these spring events:
Sunday 28th March - Wyken Hall plant Fair - 10am to 4pm
Friday 2nd to Monday 5th April - New Buckenham Art Exhibition
Sunday 18th April - Redgrave & Lopham Fen Plant Sale - 10am to 4pm
Sunday 24th April - Old Buckenham Gardening Event - 10am to 1pm
Plus our regular stall at Banham Country Market on the first Saturday of each month, from 9am to 1pm, at Banham Community Centre
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The
weather is at last improving and as it does the herbaceous
perennials and deciduous shrubs and climbers are putting on fresh
growth. We have our first selection of 1 litre perennials and mixed
climbers now available, and as in previous years, a multi-buy offer
applies to each range. This year we are also stocking 1 litre 'starter'
shrubs; a wide variety of choice plants and another great value
offer!
Also
new for 2010, this time inside the shop - pet food, treats and
sundries. We offer a range of essentials for dogs, cats, fish,
rabbits etc, and will take orders for additional products (including
bulk bags) as required.
Visit
now for a welcome show of Spring colour. Potted bulbs, fantastic
hellebores, early-flowering shrubs and alpines, plus a superb display
from various members of the primula family; bright and slightly scented
single, semi-double and double flowering cultivars, Gold or Silver Lace
Victoriana group, very collectible auriculas, plus native
primroses and cowslips (nursery grown)
We will be open as usual
throughout the Easter bank holiday weekend for all your gardening
requirements, including seeds, bulbs, compost , pots...... and of
course, plants!
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December 2009
We
have two popular varieties of freshly cut Norfolk grown Christmas trees
available now, and our prices remain the same as last year and 2007!
- 'non-drop'
Nordmann Fir - elegantly shaped and open-tiered with a pleasant fresh
fragrance and soft to the touch glossy green needles which hold
extremely well, making it an excellent choice for warm family rooms.
- traditional
Norway Spruce - dark green and bushy with a strong pine scent, this
variety is fast-growing which is an advantage in terms of cost, but
warm drying air indoors causes it to shed its thin sharp needles when
disturbed, so it's really best suited to cooler rooms and
conservatories, or to outdoor display.
Once
selected, we net your tree free of charg for you to transport it home
easily, or delivery may be arranged if required. Water-retaining
Christmas tree stands are also on sale.
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Welcome
visitors to your house this year with a locally-made fir and holly
Christmas wreath adorning your front door, small and large sizes both
available
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Within
our shop we have an extended variety of inspirational gifts for family
and friends, together with delicious preserves and refreshing juices
(great for hampers!), intriguing bonsai plants and accessories, plus a
good selection of glorious houseplants. We are open as usual 10am to
4pm Thursday to Monday, and will in addition be open on Tuesday 22nd
and Wednesday 23rd December as well as Christmas Eve for any
last-minute shoppers!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
We will be closed from Christmas Day through to Wednesday 13th January, reopening on Thursday 14th January 2010
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November 2009
Autumn
is the time to plant out wallflowers which, come the Spring, will put
on an incredible show of colour over a very long flowering period, from
April through to June. 'Persian Carpet' is one of the most reliable
wallflower mixes available, offering fragrant flowers in glorious
shades of cream, apricot, gold, orange, rose and purple, at a compact
flowering height of about 35cm (14 inches). Our wallflowers are
bare-root and are just £1.25 for 10 chunky plants!
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On
the theme of bare-root, now is the best time to transfer and establish
plants in this manner before the onset of winter. Field-grown plants
are currently being lifted to order and should be re-planted as soon as
possible, or at least heeled in to a spare patch of ground as a
temporary measure. Plants which are available bare-root include a vast
range of trees, fruit and hedging, plus a selection of roses and
herbaceous plants, all at very favourable cost in comparison to
container-grown stock. Please call us if you wish to discuss or place
an order.
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Christmas
is approaching fast, but why not slow the pace down and browse round
the fabulous gifts and goodies our shop has to offer you. Solve a few
present dilemmas, choose some hamper fillers, order your Christmas
wreath, and consider when you'd like to come and select your fresh
Norfolk Christmas tree!
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October 2009
The
Garden Enclosure is supporting National Conifer Week which runs from
3rd to 11th October, celebrating 'the most verstaile plants you will
ever buy'. No garden is complete without some form of evergeeen
planting, and with a huge number of conifers available, from
ground-cover to upright and from miniature to maginficent,
all-year-round grace, colour and interest can be achieved in any size
garden.
Not all conifers are green, there's a beautiful
variety of colours to enjoy, and many change colour during the course
of a year, such as the dwarf cone-shaped Picea glauca Daisy's White
which has creamy-white fresh spring growth turning to green as the
season progresses. As for shape, if you're looking for something tall
and slim, try Juniperus virginiana Blue Arrow (pencil cedar), or for
medium height, maybe the conical shape and purple winter colour of
Chamaecyparis thyoides Rubicon would make it the one for you. For dense
weed-suppressing ground-cover try juniper Green Carpet, or if the
colour isn't to your taste, there's always Blue Carpet.., and so on!
Throughout October
we will be giving a 10% discount off conifers purchased from our
extensive range, so why not take a look at the wonderfully diverse
selections of textures, shapes, sizes and colours available!
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Orders
are now being taken for bare-root trees (ornamental and fruit), soft
fruit (raspberries, gooseberries, blackcurrants etc) and hedging.
Lifting will begin when the temperature drops and the plant go into
winter dormancy.
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WINTER OPENING: Please note that from November 1st until February 28th we will be closing at the earlier time of 4pm
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September 2009
September
is spring bulb time, planting can begin just as soon as you're ready
(with the exception of tulips - plant these from mid-October onwards to
prevent them coming up too early and being damaged by frost). Prepared
hyacinths and paperwhite narcissi are suitable for indoor growing, so
why not get potting soon to produce some fragrant Christmas presents -
plus an extra one for yourself! For outside, try the 'foxy' Fritillaria
imperialis Rubra, or beautiful alliums, tulips or daffodils. If these
are too tall for your borders, try native bluebells and wild snowdrops,
or crocus and the new Anemone coronaria Bordeaux which has deep
chocolate/red flowers. If you'd like some instant colour, we have
spectacular Colchium (Autumn crocus), Album (white) and Water Lily
(double pink).
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It's
time to start thinking about colour to brighten the dull days of the
coming autumn and winter months. Winter pansies and violas are availabe
now in mizxd or single colour packs, these cheery plants look fabulous
in pots and hanging baskets or just in the borders, and although their
flowering performance slows down during the harshest weather, the show
returns given a couple of better days. Try planting with mini cyclamen
if the position is sheltered, or with small evergeen shrubs or some
winter heathers. Pop in some spring bulbs for extra colour and added
value!
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Dates for your diary. Visit The Garden Enclosure plant stall at these popular events -
Wyken Plant Fair on Sunday 27th September
Redgrave and Lopham Fen Apple Day on Sunday 18th October
plus our regular stall at Banham Country Market on the first Saturday of each month
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August 2009
Beware
of wasps! It's been an early start for wasps this year, and now that
they've given up hunding for caterpillars and aphids, their attention
has turned towards sweeter things such as ripening fruit and anything we
like to eat or drink. To ease the annoyance, particularly when you're
eating outdoors, try using a Honeypot Wasp Trap. Just add some bait,
such as sugared water, squash, juice, etc. and hang the trap away from
you, the wasps enter the trap via a hole in the base and are unable to
fly out. Simple but it works! Honeypot Wasp Traps are available now in
a range of decorative colours.
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We
continue to be a little potty at The Garden Enclosure, and now offer a
new range of terrazzo pots. These stunning black marble-like containers
are modern, clean-lined and very chic, ideal for contemporary gardens
and for architectural or feature plants. Prices start at only £6.99. A
quick reminder about our free potting service - choose a container and
plants and we can combine them for you. We only charge for the
materials used.
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We
have a further selection of amazing fine art prints from artist Natalie
Mascall, recent finalist and category winner ('Endangered Species') in
the BBC Wildlife Artist Of The Year 2009 awards. The detail of her work
is simply incredible, come along and have a look!
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July 2009
New
Guinea Impatiens give a fantastic show of summer colour, and will
continue to bloom outdoors right through to the first frosts if you
take care of them. They require regular watering, dead-heading and
feeding, and are happy in a semi-shaded position. Why not brighten up
your borders, pots, baskets or home now with these magnificent plants,
only £2.49 each.
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We've
crossed the border for our pure apple juice supplier. Stoke Farm
Orchards in Suffolk produce the award-winning Appletree Hill brand of
juices using apples which are picked, pressed and bottled on the farm.
Single variety juices such as Cox, Discovery and Spartan are available,
together with blends which include Apple and Elderflower, or Ginger and
Apple.
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Now
that the brighter weather is here, make the most of the day-time
sunshine to power solar ligthing in the garden, adding new interest to
your night-time outlook. We have various styles of solar lighting;
stainless steel post lights, suitable for modern gardens and for
marking paths and driveways, fun and 'funky' lights in colourful pink,
purple, green or yellow casings, and 'olde worlde' coach light lanterns
complete with metal shepherds crooks for hanging them from.
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June 2009
Now
that the warm days and evenings are here your sun-drenched patio area
comes into its own, but if it's looking a little stark at the moment
why not plant big pot-fulls or drifts of herbs alongside where they
will get brushed as you pass by, and release their aromatic scents into
the air. Use lavender, rosemary, and the silver-leaved Helichrysum
italicum angustifolium, the Curry plant, which smells strongly of
Indian cooking (if you like your curry mild grow the variety Korma
which is less intense!) Add pots of basil, chives, thyme, and a couple
of bay trees to frame your patio door and the setting is complete!
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We
have increased our selection of garden pots with the addition of a
frost-proof range from Clough Mill. Available in 4 glaze colours and a
variety of styles to suit any garden setting, these pots will withstand
the rigours of British winters, handling temperatures down to -10
degrees C without flaking or cracking. We will continue to offer a
great selection of frost-resistant pots and bowls including traditional
terracotta, salt-glazed and contemporary glazed, all at very
competitive prices!
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The
Garden Enclosure will be open during the evening of Saturday 27th June
for Banham Zoo's once-a-year evening opening, the magical 'Zoo-Do', and
the following day look out for our stall at New Buckenham Open Gardens
Event which starts at 1pm.
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May 2009
The
Garden Enclosure is delighted to announce the opening of our newly
enlarged Plant Area, allowing us to display an even wider range of
exciting plants from around the world (still sourced from East Anglian
nurserymen and suppliers!), and an increased selection of terracotta
and glazed pots. Why not come along and take a look?