Alex’s Gardening Tips for March

Spring is just around the corner, and March is the perfect time to give your garden a refresh and get ready for the growing season ahead. Here are some key jobs to tackle this month:

Spring Clean & Tidy Up

A little effort now will set your garden up for success later! Sweep paths, clear debris, and prune back dead growth to make way for fresh shoots. We’ve got a great selection of brushes, garden tidy bags, and secateurs in-store to help you get started.

Protect New Growth

As plants start to wake up, so do slugs and snails! Use wool pellets or beer traps to keep them away from tender new shoots without harming wildlife.

Lawn Care Begins

Give your lawn a spring feed to help it recover from winter and encourage lush, green growth. A little attention now will make all the difference in the months to come.

Harvest Rainwater

Install a water butt now to collect valuable rainfall – it’s an easy way to make your garden more sustainable and keep plants hydrated during dry spells.

Create a Wildflower Meadow

Sow wildflower seeds this month to create a haven for bees and butterflies. A simple mix of native flowers will bring colour and biodiversity to your garden all summer long.

Help Our Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs start emerging from hibernation in March. Leaving out fresh water and specialist hedgehog food can help them regain strength after the colder months.

Sow & Plant for the Season Ahead

Tomatoes – Start seeds in pots and keep them warm and bright for strong early growth.
Onion Sets – Plant now for a delicious late-summer harvest.

Feed Your Beds & Borders

Give your plants a head start with a general-purpose fertiliser like Chicken Manure or Growmore. Feeding now will support strong growth and healthy blooms.

There’s plenty to do in the garden this month, and we’re here to help! Pop into Moss & Moor for all your spring gardening essentials and expert advice from our team.

February Plants of the Month

Plant of the month

Forsythia

Hi, it’s Kerstin! This month, I’ve chosen Forsythia – a wonderfully hardy and fast-growing shrub that brings gardens to life with its brilliant yellow blooms in early spring. Just when winter feels like it’s dragging on, Forsythia bursts into flower, filling borders and hedges with colour and attracting early pollinators.

Why Forsythia?

Early spring colour – one of the first shrubs to bloom, brightening up the garden before most plants wake up.
Wildlife-friendly – attracts bees and other pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
Low maintenance – pest-resistant and easy to grow, making it a great choice for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
Versatile – works beautifully as an informal hedge, screening plant, or a standout feature in borders.

Kerstin’s Top Growing Tips

Light & Soil: Prefers a sunny spot with well-drained soil but can tolerate partial shade.
Pruning: Trim after flowering to keep its shape and encourage fresh new growth for next year’s display.
Care: Once established, Forsythia needs very little attention – just an occasional tidy-up and a light feed in early spring.

With its golden blooms, fast growth, and easy care, Forsythia is a must-have for adding warmth and vibrancy to any garden. Pop into Moss & Moor to find yours and get planting!

Houseplant of the month

Peace Lily
(Spathiphyllum)

Hi, it’s David! This month, I’ve chosen the Peace Lily – a houseplant classic that never goes out of style. With its glossy green leaves and elegant white flowers, it brings a calming, timeless beauty to any home. It’s even said to symbolise peace, thanks to its flowers resembling white flags of truce.

Not only does the Peace Lily look stunning, but it’s also an air-purifying powerhouse, helping to remove toxins and improve indoor air quality.

David’s Top Care Tips

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade. Just keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid scorching the leaves.
Water: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. If the leaves start to droop, it’s time for a drink – they’ll perk up again quickly!
Humidity: Loves a humid environment, so mist regularly, especially in warm, dry rooms. Bathrooms and kitchens are ideal spots.
Temperature: Thrives between 15–24°C but struggles below 10°C, so keep it cosy.
Height: Grows to around 45cm over 5–10 years – a slow and steady beauty!

The Peace Lily is a fantastic choice for beginners and seasoned plant lovers alike. Why not pop into Moss & Moor and find the perfect one for your home?

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Alex’s Gardening Tips for February

As winter slowly gives way to spring, there’s plenty to keep green-fingered gardeners busy. Here are some essential tasks to prepare your garden for the new season:

Bulbs-in-the-Green: Missed planting spring-flowering bulbs in autumn? No problem! You can plant bulbs-in-the-green like tulips, daffodils, and snowdrops now for a stunning spring display.
Feed Your Roses: Give your roses and flowering shrubs a boost by sprinkling a slow-release fertiliser, such as bonemeal, around their base. This will help them thrive as the growing season begins.
Chit Your Potatoes: Start chitting your first early potatoes. Place them in a bright, frost-free spot to encourage strong, healthy shoots for planting.
Protect Tender Plants: Make the most of cloches and cold frames to shield your tender plants from frosty nights and fluctuating temperatures.
Dahlia Preparation: Plant dahlia tubers in pots and keep them in a light, warm place to encourage shoots to develop before planting out.
Plant Garlic Cloves: Pop individual garlic cloves into the soil with the pointed end facing upwards. If the ground is too wet, start them off in modules indoors and transfer them outside in spring.
Brighten with Hardy Bedding Plants: Fill hanging baskets and containers with hardy bedding plants like primrose and dianthus to add cheerful colour and interest that lasts through to spring.

Pop into Moss & Moor to find all the essentials you need to bring these tips to life. From bulbs to bonemeal, we’ve got you covered!

February Plants of the Month

Plant of the month

Camellia

Kerstin’s Tips for Growing Camellia

Hello, it’s Kerstin here! This month, I’ve chosen one of my all-time favourites – the beautiful camellia. These elegant blooms are a joy in the garden during the cooler months, and with the right care, they’ll thrive in our UK climate.

To grow camellias successfully, opt for hardy varieties such as Camellia japonica or Camellia x williamsii. Choose a sheltered spot with partial shade and well-drained acidic soil – they don’t like drying winds or harsh sunlight.

Plant your camellia in autumn or early spring, ensuring the root ball sits level with the soil surface. Water regularly, ideally with rainwater, as tap water can be too alkaline for these acid-loving plants. Add a generous layer of mulch to help lock in moisture and keep pesky weeds at bay.

Once your camellia has finished flowering, feed it with an ericaceous fertiliser to keep it looking lush and healthy. Prune lightly to tidy up any dead or crossing branches.

Young plants and developing buds can be vulnerable to frost, so protect them with a fleece or move containers to a sheltered spot when temperatures dip.

Finally, good air circulation and proper watering are key to avoiding common issues like bud drop or pests such as aphids and scale insects. A little care goes a long way to ensuring your camellia is the star of your garden for years to come.

Why not pop in-store and discover our selection of hardy camellias? They’ll bring a touch of elegance and colour to your outdoor spaces!

Houseplant of the month

Kentia Palm
(Howea forsteriana)

Hi, it’s David! This February, I’ve picked the elegant Kentia Palm as our houseplant of the month. Native to Lord Howe Island off Australia, this graceful beauty has been a favourite since Victorian times – it even graced the Titanic! Its timeless charm makes it a perfect addition to any home.

Not only does the Kentia Palm bring a touch of the tropics indoors, but it’s also air-purifying and pet-friendly – ideal for creating a healthier, happier home.

Here’s how to keep your Kentia Palm thriving:

Height: Indoors, it can grow up to 2–3 metres – though it’s a very slow grower, so be patient with it.

Light: Place it in bright but indirect light. While it can tolerate a little shade, avoid full sun as it can scorch the leaves.

Water: Wait until the top couple of inches of soil have dried out before watering. Keep the soil just moist and ensure it drains fully – no sitting in water!

Humidity: These palms love humidity, so mist the leaves regularly or pop them on a tray of damp pebbles.

Temperature: Keep your Kentia Palm in a warm spot between 18–24°C and never below 12°C.

The Kentia Palm is a wonderful way to bring effortless style and a calming atmosphere to your home. Why not visit Moss & Moor to pick one up and add a touch of greenery to your space?

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Gardening Tips for January

Kickstart your gardening year with these essential tasks and tips to keep your garden thriving through the winter months:

Plan for the Year Ahead
Get inspired for 2025 by exploring our seed collection in the Potting Shed and planning your planting schedule.
Prune Fruit Trees
Now is the time to prune apple and pear trees while they’re dormant. Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, and aim for an open goblet shape to improve airflow and fruit production.
Care for Garden Birds
Keep bird baths filled with water, and melt any ice with warm water. Don’t forget to join the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch from 24th to 26th January to count the feathered visitors in your garden.
Tidy Winter Containers
Keep winter tubs neat by deadheading and removing debris. Water if needed, especially during dry spells.
Chit First Early Potatoes
Place seed potatoes in a bright, frost-free spot to start chitting, ready for planting from February to April.
Indoor Herb Gardens
Sow herb seeds now for an indoor garden on a sunny windowsill – a simple way to bring fresh flavour to your cooking.
Protect Tender Plants
Shield delicate plants from frost with fleece to help them survive the cold.
Winter Garden Stars
For seasonal interest, plant hellebores, mahonia, hamamelis, and skimmia. As long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, they’ll thrive in your winter garden.

Discover all you need to prepare your garden this January at Moss & Moor!

January Plants of the Month

Plant of the month

Viburnum tinus

Kerstin’s Tips for Growing Viburnum tinus

If you’re looking for a plant that offers year-round interest and a touch of elegance, Viburnum tinus is one of my favourites. It’s an evergreen shrub that’s hardy and reliable – perfect for UK gardens.

I recommend planting it in well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Choose a spot sheltered from cold winds to give it the best start. What I love about Viburnum tinus is that it tolerates a variety of soils, even chalky or clay ones, as long as they aren’t waterlogged.

When you first plant it, be sure to water regularly during dry spells – this helps it establish strong roots. Once it’s settled, it’s surprisingly drought-tolerant and easy to care for. A little mulch in the spring works wonders, helping to lock in moisture and keep weeds at bay.

After its delicate flowers fade, a light prune will keep its shape looking tidy. Its winter blooms are not only beautiful but also an important food source for pollinators when they need it most.

If you’re after a low-maintenance shrub that brings structure and seasonal charm, Viburnum tinus is a wonderful choice – and a firm favourite of mine!

Houseplant of the month

Dracaena Marginata

Jenny’s Pick

Why Jenny Loves It:

“The Dracaena marginata, or Madagascar Dragon Tree, is my go-to plant for filling spaces after the Christmas decorations come down. It’s beautifully architectural without overwhelming a room, and its low-maintenance nature makes it perfect for this time of year. I also love how it quietly purifies the air – a fresh start for the new year!”

How to Care for Your Dracaena Marginata:

Light:
Dracaena marginata thrives in bright, indirect light but can handle light shade too. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which can scorch its slender, spiky leaves.

Water:
Water when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch, but avoid overwatering – its roots are prone to rot. It’s more forgiving of underwatering than being left to sit in water.

Humidity:
This plant prefers warm, humid conditions, so misting its leaves occasionally will keep it happy.

Jenny’s Tip:
“With its slow-growing nature, this plant can reach up to three metres indoors over time, so it’s perfect for adding height without the hassle!”

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Gardening Tips for December

As December arrives, it’s time to prepare your garden for winter’s chill. Keep plants protected and add some seasonal charm with these simple tasks to see your garden through to spring.

Feed the birds – Hang up a bird feeder or some fat balls to give our feathered friends a helping hand through the colder months. They’ll thank you for the extra nutrition this winter.
Aerate your lawn – Give your lawn some breathing space by aerating with a fork. This helps improve drainage and reduces the risk of waterlogging over the wet winter months.
Keep patios safe – Give your patios and paving a good wash to clear away any slippery algae or slime. A simple clean makes all the difference when you’re walking outside.
Winter wash for trees – A good winter wash on your trees helps protect them against pests and diseases, ensuring they stay healthy through the colder season.
Shelter your plants – Consider investing in a grow house to keep those more vulnerable plants safe from the chill. It’s the perfect way to give them a warm winter hideaway.
Care for your Christmas tree – Keep your Christmas tree well-watered and away from direct heat sources. This simple step will help preserve it throughout the festive period.
Scent in the winter garden – Add a touch of fragrance to your garden this winter with shrubs like sarcococca or viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn.’ A winter garden doesn’t have to be without scent.
Protect pots and plants – Keep your pots and plants safe from frost by wrapping them in fleece or bubble wrap. It’s a simple way to protect them from the harshest winter weather.
Colour in the winter garden – Inject some seasonal colour with Cornus for its stunning red and yellow stems. A bright splash in the winter landscape can lift the spirits.
Fresh gravel for alpine plants – Top up your alpine plants with fresh gravel to help prevent rotting. It’s a small task that can make a big difference for your plants’ health.

Happy gardening this December – and remember, even in winter, there’s always something to tend to!

December Plants of the Month

Plant of the month

Hellebore

Known as “Christmas roses” or “Lenten roses,” hellebores are hardy perennials that bring a touch of magic to the garden in late winter or early spring. At a time when most plants are still hibernating, their delicate blooms take centre stage, offering a welcome splash of colour.

How to Grow Hellebores

These resilient beauties thrive in partially shaded spots with well-drained, humus-rich soil. While hellebores are low-maintenance once established, they flourish in cool, moist conditions and are well-suited to the UK’s often chilly winters.

Top tips for growing hellebores:

Choose a sheltered location to protect them from harsh winds.
Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Add a layer of mulch in winter to safeguard the roots.

Hellebores are not only cold-tolerant but also deer and rabbit-resistant, making them a wonderful choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these elegant flowers will brighten your outdoor space with ease.

Bring a touch of winter charm to your garden with hellebores — the perfect blend of beauty and resilience.

Houseplant of the month

Poinsettia

Jenny’s Pick

Nothing says Christmas quite like the vibrant poinsettia, also known as the “Christmas Star.” Its bold, colourful bracts (often mistaken for flowers) are a festive favourite, adding a cheerful touch to any home during the holiday season.

How to Care for Your Poinsettia

Light:
Poinsettias thrive in bright, indirect light. Avoid placing them in shady spots, as this will affect their vibrancy and growth.

Temperature:
Native to Mexico, poinsettias love warmth and humidity. Keep them in a draught-free location, ideally between 13–22°C, and protect them from chilly temperatures during transport. Sudden cold can cause stress, leading to leaf drop.

Watering:
Use filtered or rainwater at room temperature for best results. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Yellowing leaves are often a sign of incorrect watering.

Humidity:
To keep your poinsettia looking its best, mist it regularly. This replicates its natural humid environment and helps the plant maintain its health.

Important Information

Not pet-friendly: Keep poinsettias out of reach of curious pets.
Handle with care: The sap may irritate skin and eyes.

With a little TLC, your poinsettia will flourish throughout the festive season, bringing a touch of Christmas magic to your home.

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Gardening Tips for November

With winter on the horizon, November is the perfect month to prepare your garden for the colder days ahead. Here are some essential tasks to keep everything in tip-top shape for spring.

Plant Roses, Trees, and Shrubs: There’s still time to get roses, trees, and shrubs in the ground before winter sets in—these will root well over the coming months.
Collect Fallen Leaves for Leaf Mould: Rake up leaves to create nutrient-rich leaf mould, a valuable addition to beds and borders next year.
Lift Pots with Pot Feet: Raise containers off the ground to prevent waterlogging and frozen compost—essential for healthy roots through winter.
Store Dahlia Tubers: After the first frost, dig up dahlia tubers and store them in a cool, dark spot until spring.
Protect Tree Ferns from Frost: On dry days, pack the crown of tree ferns with dry straw and wrap with fleece for extra protection.
Insulate Containers: Wrap pots in fleece or bubble wrap to shield them from frost damage, preserving delicate roots.
Sow Hardy Vegetable Seeds: If you’d like winter produce, try sowing hardy varieties of broad beans or first early peas for spring harvests.
Lift and Divide Herbaceous Perennials: Now is a great time to lift and divide overcrowded perennials, helping them thrive and bring even more colour next season.
Check Bonfire Sites for Wildlife: Before lighting any bonfires, remember to check for hedgehogs or other wildlife that may have taken shelter.

With these November gardening tasks, you’ll set your garden up for a beautiful, healthy year ahead!

November Plants of the Month

Plant of the month

Photinia

Brightening up any garden with its vibrant foliage, Photinia is an evergreen favourite, offering something for every gardener. Known for the popular ‘Red Robin’ variety, which bursts with bold, red new growth throughout the season, Photinias are a diverse group of shrubs. They range from compact cultivars to large screening shrubs, suiting hedges, borders, or standalone displays.

Come summer, many Photinia varieties delight with clusters of small, white flowers followed by attractive berries. For the best leaf colour, plant Photinia in a sunny spot that’s sheltered from harsh winds. Photinia can also be pruned hard in spring, encouraging fresh, vivid growth for a striking year-round feature.

Explore the Range:

Photinia ‘Red Robin’: The classic choice, perfect for creating larger hedges and screens, reaching up to 8m high and 4m wide.
Photinia ‘Little Red Robin’: A charming dwarf cultivar, ideal for smaller spaces, growing up to 1.5m (5ft).
Photinia ‘Pink Marble’: Striking with its pink and white variegation, this variety thrives in acidic soil, reaching up to 4m.
Photinia ‘Devil’s Dream’: A compact option for a low hedge, maturing at around 1m – the perfect choice for tidy borders.
Photinia ‘Carre Rouge’: For the deepest red hues, this robust cultivar offers superior resistance to black spot, making it a gardener’s go-to for vivid foliage.

Discover the beauty of Photinia this month and add a splash of colour to your garden that lasts all year!

Houseplant of the month

Indoor Cyclamen

Jenny’s Pick

Indoor Cyclamen is a favourite for adding a pop of colour during the colder months. I love how its bright, showy blooms can last up to six weeks with just a little TLC. Cyclamen’s delicate petals and intricate foliage make it a beautiful choice for any room.

Here are my top tips for keeping them happy:

Light & Temperature: Place in a bright, indirect spot and keep cool (10-15°C). Cyclamen can be a bit fussy if it gets too warm, as it’ll go dormant and stop flowering.
Watering: Cyclamen thrive with just the right amount of moisture. Water when the soil is dry but avoid overwatering; it’s best to sit them in a tray of water and let the soil soak it up.
Re-flowering: These beauties go dormant naturally in spring. Let them rest, keeping the soil slightly dry and cool. By September, your Cyclamen will reward you with another burst of vibrant blooms.

One thing to note: Cyclamen are not pet-friendly, so keep them out of reach of furry friends!

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