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The frosty weeks and months between late-autumn and mid-spring can be a difficult time for your garden wildlife. Finding shelter and food isn't easy, however with your help, surviving the cold winter and finding food would be that little bit easier. Here's our guide on how to look after your garden wildlife this winter. BirdsIf you enjoy bird watching, want to attract some new wildlife or just want to do your bit for nature this autumn/winter, there are a number of nutrient rich foods you can leave out for the small ones and some shelter you can provide.- Starlings and other small birds e..

There is no doubt that during the summer being outside is more enjoyable than ever! During the hot summer months, it can be difficult to keep up with your garden’s needs but there are many ways in which you can do this to get the best out of your garden. Here's our guide on looking after your garden during the hot weather...  Hydration A lack of rainfall can quickly take its toll on your garden and plants, but be aware it can also help the growth of disease and bacteria. Limit the amount of water the leaves on your plants get and aim for the roots as the most common leaf problems are star..

Keeping your garden healthy and nourished throughout the year can be quite a challenge. Now the summer months are practically here, everyone is keen to get their gardens prepped for those sunny days and evenings. By tackling one section at a time you will soon have your garden back in tip-top shape. Whether you’re a beginner or just need a refresher, we’ve put together a few handy tips and tricks to keep your garden at it’s best this year and the years to come. 1. Good soil The soil is one of the most important parts of your garden and plants. Healthy, light soil will allow you to gro..

Now we have got rid of all of that wintery weather (hopefully) you can finally start planning your garden layout or have a good spring-clean in time for the sunshine and showers. Trees are starting to blossom and the days are getting sunnier, which means only one thing; gardening can commence! As Spring officially started at the end of March, I’m sure you’re already aware of the things you can be doing in your garden. We’ve decided to collate some tips and advice on what you should be doing in your garden at this time of year to get rid of any unwanted visitors and how to prepare for the s..

The New Year is the perfect time to rearrange your garden, up-cycle old furniture or attempt at attracting more wildlife into your garden. We want to help you prepare for spring, before you get left behind! So if you’re longing to reconnect with your garden after a long wintery break, make sure you complete these preseason tasks as soon as possible: Clear drains, gutters and flower beds! After the wintery months you may find that lots of leaves and debris have made themselves comfortable in your drains and gutters. Clear these away to avoid a build up and allow running water escape ..

Winter is most definitely here and many of us may be looking at our gardens in dismay. Conditions have already been quite harsh this year so ensure you’re taking the necessary precautions to prevent avoidable damage. The New Year is the perfect time to complete any small garden jobs, have a clear out of any old or damaged items and also get your garden in tiptop shape for the new season! Here are a couple of things you can do to prepare your garden for the new growing season, prevent harm to plants and wildlife and a couple of beautiful houseplants that thrive during winter.Have a Tidy Up!-..

This time of year is perfect to start a compost heap, you’ll have lots of garden waste as you clear up ready for winter and you could have some nutritious, organic compost to use as early as next spring.Here at A. Hill & Sons, we’ve got our expert gardeners together and compiled your “Definitive Guide to Composting” The Position and Container Possibly the most important decision you’ll make during your composting process is the container in which to create your heap and where to put it – this part can quite literally make or break your compost.It’s important that the site is not subject t..

We hate to be the bearer of bad news but summer is very nearly over… Sadly there is no time to sit here dreaming of an Indian summer because there is a lot of work to be done in the garden as the season changes. Grab yourself a cuppa, get a pen and paper and let’s get planning for the gardening season! When does autumn start?First things first, let’s actually establish when autumn begins. There are two ways in which the seasons are defined - meteorologically and astronomically. The meteorological calendar is split into equal periods of three months: • September – November is autumn ..

Hanging baskets are a welcomed addition to any front or back garden as they provide vibrant and valuable colour at eye level. They are a great, cost-effective way to add colour to small spaces or against drab walls and fences. They are relatively easy to create and maintain and they are perfect for both the summer and winter seasons - you will just plant different flowers accordingly. Firstly, you need to decide what type of hanging basket you want to use. There are three main types: • Rattan Baskets – attractive and normally have a plastic liner which helps water retention • Plast..

The flower bed is a plot of soil from which flowers are grown and just as we need like nicely made bed complete with fluffy pillows to rest our weary heads at night, flower beds need a well prepared bed in order to grow and flourish successfully. Spending time preparing your beds is the key to a garden full of happy flowers, and we all know that happy flowers means a happy gardener! So read on for a step-by-step guide… Step 1: Remove weeds The more thoroughly you do this whilst your bed is clear, then the less weeding you’ll have to do throughout the season – bonus! Step 2: Dig in..

Your garden may still seem dormant and frosty but we all know how quickly spring creeps up on us. Although there may be sunny days, don’t be fooled by these mild spells and begin certain jobs too early - February is often the coldest month of the year! Light levels are increasing and temperatures should begin to drop towards the end of the month, causing wildlife to stir and giving us a signal that spring is on the way. A Hill & Sons want you to get ahead in your garden before you fall behind, so we’ve rounded up the top 5 garden related tasks that you should plan to comple..

Happy New Year to you all - we hope that you’ve had a wonderful festive period!If, like us, you indulged in one too many mince pies or got involved with a few too many cheese boards, now is the time to try your hardest to shed those extra few pounds! Obtaining a healthy lifestyle can sound a little complicated to begin with. Recipes seem to have an endless list of exotic ingredients and it might seem like you need to dedicate an entire day to cooking healthy! However, the Hill’s team have been looking at how to make healthy eating a little simpler (and cheaper!) The answer? Grow yourself he..