What's Amazing Now
Happy morning! As we are fast approaching Spring time, I wanted to share with you the UK vegetable planting planner. It is brilliant to know what will work together in your own veggie patch to get the most out of all your hard work and have some delicious veggies to eat! It seems like Fennel is the 'bad' boy of the veggie patch and doesn't like being planted alongside many others 😂 If you would like a copy of this please send me an email and I will happily share it with you! Happy gardening, Donna x x x #NaturalGardening #gardeninglife #whitstablekent #nature #Organicnursery #PollinatorFriendly #polytunnelgrowing #naturalgardening #enchantedgardens #enchantedgardenskent #vegetablegarden #vegetables #vegetableprep #vegetable#vegetablegarden #vegetablegardening #vegetableplanting
Polytunnel update Jan 2025! Come along with me to see how things are holding up in my Polytunnel this winter! #enchantedgardens #wintergarden #enchantedgardenskent #Organicnursery #gardeninglife #nature #naturalgardening #whitstablekent #winter #wintergardening #NaturalGardening #PollinatorFriendly #polytunnel #polytunnelgrowing #polytunnellife #polytunnels #polytunnelgardening #seedgrowing
Happy morning! This is the last area of Enchanted Gardens that I am revealing, it needs a lot of love and attention but it is not an area I have shared with you before. Welcome to the Secret Stream 💧🌱 Another exciting project which I will take you all on the journey with me! Thank you for watching Donna x x x #enchantedgardenskent #wintergarden #whitstablekent #nature #winter #enchantedgardens #naturalgardening #Organicnursery #gardeninglife #secretstream #naturalwater #water #stream #waterway
Happy Christmas! 🎄 I am taking this opportunity to be reflective of this year – so much has happened, changed, been built and rebuilt including me in many ways. As gardeners and people I think we all look over our shoulders before focusing on our future, and with so much within the media indicating that the future is looking grim we can be forgiven for hesitating. Let me make you some important promises; Mother Nature will not be going anywhere, she may have interference from us causing a few issues, but is so much more than we are as a species, so chin up – take a look at the miracle of your gardens, we get that expectation every wintertime of sowing seeds, of daffodils and spring blossom and we will see this all again in 2025 just wait and see. Spring could be early or late and could be dry or wet but whatever the weather, we will manage and once again produce beautiful Gardens. After all these years Enchanted Gardens will be opening on 1st April – what a huge achievement from overgrown pasture to a truly magical experience of peace and plants with Cake you have ever seen. I cannot believe how life has turned out for me, I am grateful and humbled by all the kindness given to me. I will celebrate Yule in my own way the Winter Solstice will be celebrated with a feast to celebrate the changes it brings of light and hope. I wish you all a kind time, whatever you have and whoever you are, I send blessings to you and your families and will be in touch again soon. Donna x x x
In this fourth episode of 'Tales from the Tunnel' I talk to you about Giant Knapweed (Centaurea macrocephala). I have a very healthy stock of Knapweed and although there is some evidence of the leaf mining insects, I advocate for plants that are able to stand on their own and as you all know I do not spay or use harmful chemicals. I think this gives integrity to my plants and you can trust they are strong. Stay tuned for more videos 💚🐝 #naturalgardening #NaturalGardening #gardeninglife #enchantedgardenskent #polytunnelgardening #Organicnursery #nature #whitstablekent #polytunnel #polytunnellife #polytunnels #polytunnelgrowing #pollinatorfriendly #seedgrowing #PollinatorFriendly #giantknapweed #centaureomacrocephala
In this third episode of 'Tales from the Tunnel' I show you the stock of Campanula we now have, another plant which I lost a lot off in the move to the new site. What is most amazing is that I have used 5 year old seed to rejuvenate the stock that was lost. This plant is a great all rounder and popular with the pollinators! I can't wait to welcome you and show you how they have grown in the spring! Stay tuned for more videos 💚🐝 #enchantedgardenskent #Organicnursery #whitstablekent #nature #naturalgardening #polytunnelgrowing #polytunnels #pollinatorfriendly #polytunnelgardening #gardeninglife #NaturalGardening #polytunnel #polytunnellife #campanula #seedgrowing #pollinators #PollinatorFriendly
Plant of the Month for December Winter Holly & Camellia Camellia are a beautiful shrub, looking lovely all through the year, they produce their flowers in the spring as a reward of joy after the wintertime. Feed your camellias in early spring with an ericaceous fertilizer or Camellia and Rhododendron Soluble Plant Food. An understanding of when these buds were produced is key; its mid to late summer – If the Camellia is not watered adequately at this time, she will struggle to produce flower buds and may drop leaf, or die back whole limbs in order to have enough energy to do this so by not watering at this time can lead to a really poorly looking plant right now. You should now be viewing really wonderful FAT BUDS in readiness for their show. We couldn't leave out the lovely Festive Winter Holly! Holly – Ilex aquifolium Golden King and Golden Queen are my favourites. I know most gardeners know of Holly as a tree, but they are slow growers and so take time to become large, with a regular prune they WILL stay manageable at a shape and height right for your garden, so please don’t ignore them – they also provide valuable cover for birds away from predators and expensive Christmas Foliage too for FREE! Holly is dioecious, meaning that each plant is either male or female. To produce berries, you need to grow both a male and female plant together so they can cross-pollinate. You can tell the difference between male and female hollies by looking at their flowers: male flowers have more prominent stamens. Holly berries are a favourite food source for many birds, including Redwings, Fieldfares, and Mistle thrushes. #enchantedgardenskent #NaturalGardening #nature #naturalgardening #Organicnursery #gardeninglife #whitstablekent #holly #camellia #plantofthemonth #december #winter #winterberries #winterplants #evergreen #shrub
Hello everybody! Just a quick video showing you how the new hedging we planted back in the spring is doing. The old hedge had deteriorated as it was not regulairy prunes. I have removed as much as possible and replanted a traditional mixed hedge and they are settling in nicely, hurray! #naturalgardening #Organicnursery #nature #whitstablekent #enchantedgardenskent #diversity #hornbeam #traditionalhedge
In this second episode of 'Tales from the Tunnel', I talk to you about Salvia's and the journey we have been on rebuilding the stock that was lost after I moved to the new site. A good friend who is fantastic at taking cuttings has helped me tremendously and I have now a healthy stock of Salvia's, including; Amistad, Hotlips, Icing Sugar, Sue's Purple, Blue Note, Royal Blue, Amethyst Lips. Cherry Lips, Nina's Wish, Belle de Loire, Royal Bumble, Uliginosa and the UK native Pratensis. Stay tuned for more videos 💚🐝 #polytunnel #polytunnels #polytunnellife #polytunnelgrowing #polytunnelgardening #salvia #salviacuttings #naturalgardening #pollinatorfriendly #enchantedgardenskent #alternativegardening #NaturalGardening #whitstablekent #nature #Organicnursery #gardeninglife #Gardeningtips
#Allium and #Fritillariapersica bulbs are in pots and waiting for you, so whether you buy them now as a Christmas present or come and visit me in the spring and want some colour in your gardens, these are going to be beautiful! Allium bulbs are: #Cristophii #Bulgaricum #Purplesensation Available to purchase on the website now. #whitstablekent #enchantedgardenskent #Organicnursery
There is lots still going on in the #Polytunnel and I wanted to show you all! This is the first of a series of videos I will be releasing, keeping you all updated about how I am looking after my plants during the colder months. In this first update video, I show you #Crambe, #Lamium 'Arkangel', #Agastache 'Liquorice Blue', #Rudbeckia Triloba, #Phlomis Italica, #Melianthusmajor and #Hedychium. Most of these plants I have brung in becasue they do not want to be soggy, not that they cannot get through the cold. Stay tuned for more videos 💚🐝 #nature #Organicnursery #naturalgardening #enchantedgardenskent #whitstablekent #gardeninglife #Gardeningtips #pollinatorfriendly #NaturalGardening #alternativegardening #collectingseed
A Tree Tragedy This is another article that has caught my attention and I wanted to share it with you all. As part of their sustainabliltiy pledge, the beer company Brewdog had planted thousands of trees in Scotland. Unfortunately many of the saplings did not survive and I feel schemes like this need much more questioning before we donate our money to them, as I dont think this is the only 'lost forest' out there..... Please read the article I have linked below for yourselves. Thank you for watching 💚🐝🌱 https://parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2024/11/03/brewdogs-lost-forest-a-halfyearly-review-of-its-sustainability/
Did you know we also offer gift vouchers for plants as well as experience vouchers, and the Lacewing Hibernation chambers are in stock! The website is full of great gifts or additions to your own garden, including seeds, plants, bulbs, and more! Head to the website to find something special 🪻🌷🌳🪴
Garden Pasture Voucher - Information In this video, I talk about the first voucher, the Garden Pasture voucher which would be perfect for friends and family who are interested in gardening in shade, sun, woodland areas, and in a 'typical' gardening situation. Vouchers are available to buy NOW on the website, we only have a limited number so please get them whilst you can! https://www.enchantedgardenskent.co.uk/product/experience-voucher/
Conservation Pasture Voucher In this video, I talk about the second voucher which will be more attractive for friends and family who are interested in conservation, propagation, wildlife, and learning how they can incorporate it into their own garden situation. Vouchers are available NOW to purchase on the website, we have a limited amount so please get in quick before they are all gone! https://www.enchantedgardenskent.co.uk/product/7155/
Hello everybody! In this video, I discuss my top tip for keeping down the weeds in winter and show you what we are now using instead of the concrete paving that was there when I arrived. The loose type 1 with a scattering of rubble is environmentally aware and allows nature to take back the space if we were to leave. Fortunately, I have some self-sown Eryngium (sea holly), and I am excited to see if they mature and flower. Nature is wonderful! Thank you for watching 💚🐝 #whitstablekent #enchantedgardenskent #NaturalGardening #pollinatorfriendly #Organicnursery #Gardeningtips #gardeninglife #nature #naturalgardening #naturalweedkiller #Eryngium #selfseed #selfsown #amazingnature
Happy morning! For those who were unable to tune into my spot on BBC Radio Kent Monday with Dominic King, here is the link to listen. Fast forward to 35 minutes to hear my bit talking about sensory gardens. Thank you to BBC Radio Kent for inviting me on!
This is the second of the 'Experience Vouchers' that will be on sale on the website to purchase as christmas or birthday presents for loved ones who are interested in organic gardening, growing and conservation. This voucher includes a 1 hour guided tour with Donna, with homemade cake, tea/coffee for £30. Please note: this vouchers is only useable during our opening season from 1st April to October 31st every year. #whitstablekent #enchantedgardenskent #experiencevouchers #gardenvoucher #gardeningvoucher #alternativechristmaspresent #christmasgift #christmas2024
Vouchers for Christmas 💚 I am very excited to share these 'Experience Vouchers' with you all. There will be two available to purchase on the website. The first is a 1 hour guided tour for 2 people of the Garden Pasture with me for £30. Including homemade cake, tea/coffee. A brilliant gift this festive season for friends or family who love gardening and nature. Please note: this vouchers is only useable during our opening season from 1st April to October 31st every year. If you would like to purchase a voucher please head to my website. #christmas2024 #christmasgift #gardeningvoucher #experiencevouchers #enchantedgardenskent #gardenvoucher #alternativechristmaspresent #whitstablekent
I am so sad to read this, an environmental catastrophe ignored for many months by those who are supposed to be protecting these Site's of Special Scientific Interest. 😢
Good morning everyone! Following on from my 'Good Predators' videos last week I wanted to share with you some more information about the Lacewing hibernation chambers I mentioned. I will have them in stock on the website very soon so please look out for that! If you have any questions about this I will be happy to answer them, just drop me a email or give me a call! Thank you 🐝 #lacewing #hybernationchamber #lacewinghybernation #wintergardening #enchantedgardenskent #enchantedgardens #whitstablekent
Happy morning! This is the last video in the series I have posted following on from my talk at the Sunken Garden Society. Here I share with you my top 7 good predators that you can find in your garden to help keep pests at bay without having to using harmful sprays. I will then be posting a video talking more about the Lacewing hybernation chambers, so look out for that! Thank you for watching 🐝 #enchantedgardenskent #pollinatorfriendly #naturalgardening #Gardeningtips #nature #NaturalGardening #gardeninglife #Organicnursery #biodiversity #goodpredators #ladybirdlarve #piratebug #hoverfly #lacewing #spiders #parasiticwasp
Happy morning! Following on from my previous posts about the importance of seed heads to feed our birds, I wanted to talk about the wider implications of the declining numbers of our insects and pollinators. This year the numbers are low. It is important to understand that if there are no insects then there is no food for birds, if there are no birds this has an impact on mammals that would usually feed on birds. There is a natural rhythm that is being disrupted, it is really important to protect the systems in place by good gardening! Donna x x x
Halloween 'traditions' are Horrifying 🎃 Each year around 22.2 MILLION pumpkins go to waste 😱 PLEASE think before you buy a pumpkin for each member of your family that will simply end up in landfill producing toxic waste. Pumpkins are not a natural food for our wildlife either. The dumping of pumpkins in our woodland by good willing members of the public can have devastating consequences, as identified by The Woodland Trust. Hubbub an environmental charity suggests decorating your pumpkin instead of carving it so that it can be eaten afterward. Why not decorate 1 pumpkin with the whole family and bring back apple bobbing! The tradition of my childhood was carving turnips and they were never wasted! This culture of throwing away and letting the carved pumpkins rot is truly HORRIFYING ☠🎃 #foodwaste #halloween
Happy morning everyone! Another article I would like to share with you all...... AND we have Shrill and Brown-banded Carder bees on the pasture too!!!!! We have spotted so many of these beautiful bees on the pasture this year and as you can see from my videos, I get very excited (and distracted) when I see one 🐝 But we still need to do more, the numbers are still too low... The Shrill Carder bee loves white Nettle, Hedge Woundwort, Black Horehound, and legumes such as Red Clover, Birds-Foot Trefoil, and Meadow Vetchling. Every garden should have something to help the declining numbers of UK bee species!
Happy Friday! Just a quick video talking about how easy it is to collect FREE seed from your very own garden to sow and plant next year! Dried plants and seed heads are also a great center piece for your Christmas table so do make use of what you have in your gardens, it can be so beautiful! Happy gardening 🙂 #enchantedgardenskent #garden #pollinatorfriendly #alternativegardening #naturalgardening #seedhead #collectingseed #sowingseeds
Happy Wednesday! I wanted to share with you this hopeful article to highlight the importance of our Wild Service Trees! Here on the pasture, we have our own service trees and I will definitely be collecting their seed and growing the babies ready for future planting. As stated in the article, trees are an ecosystem within themselves and support a whole range of insects and mammals. Not forgetting the lichen and mosses on trees that have entire little ecosystems surrounding their survival. A brilliant scheme in Denbighshire!
