Bloom Spring 2017 Single

BLOOM
With Bell Plantation Garden
& Country Living Centre
IT’S SPRING
WAKE YOUR GARDEN UP
TO THE NEW GROWING
SEASON!
JOIN US FOR OUR SPRING
LAUNCH
Thursday 13th April
6.30pm to 9.30pm
with Special Guest
James Alexander-Sinclair
BELL PLANTATION GARDEN CENTRE
Watling Street, Towcester, Northants, NN12 6GX
Telephone: 01327 354 126, www.bellplantation.co.uk
www.facebook.com/Bellplantationgc

1

Hello and
Welcome
Hanging out with friends, visiting the countryside, gardening,
cooking, ... whatever makes you happy is our focus this year.
At Bell Plantation, we all think we have the happiest job in
the world. We get to help you take care of your interests and
passions and this year we are encouraging your creativity and
learning with a range of workshops and events.
It’s a very busy time of year in the garden, there’s lots to
do! Our Garden Centre has changed a lot since last spring,
doubling in size has allowed us to bring you so much more
choice for your home and garden, and as always our experts
are on hand to offer gardening or poultry advice.
We really hope you’ll join us for our Easter Basket making
event on Tuesday 11th April, and then again for a cheeky glass
of Prosecco on Thursday 13th April for our Spring Launch
event - where you can win £100 worth of plants and meet
gardening expert, James Alexander-Sinclair.
As you know the Bell Plantation is a family business and local
employer; every time you shop with us you see the faces of the
people directly benefiting from your business. We would like
to thank you for that support (quite handsomely!) with our free
loyalty card; so be sure to sign up and get yours at
www.bellplantation.co.uk
Our next issue is out mid June - until then, happy gardening!
Ashley & Freddie Warren
2

5
47
CONTENTS
5-6 Attract Bees into your garden
11-12 Join us for an evening floristry course
14 Is your greenhouse ready for the season?
17-18 For the love of beef
21-22 Join us for our spring launch
29-30 Get up to 75% more fruit with grafted
tomato plants
31-32 North, South, East or West - We know the
plants that thrive the best
35-36 Create a ‘Bespoke to your environment’
hanging basket
37-38 Help your rose garden thrive
Poultry
7-8 Poultry - Out fox Mr Fox
9 In Celebration of the egg
3

29
11
21
17
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE LOYALTY SCHEME
GET 5% BACK ON ALL PURCHASES!
You’ll also receive our informative monthly e-newsletter containing:
• Exclusive Loyalty Club Offers
• Early Bird Event Information
• Gardening Hints & Tips
BELL PLANTATION
Watling Street, Towcester,
Northants, NN12 6GX
Telephone: 01327 354 126
www.bellplantation.co.uk
www.facebook.com/Bellplantationgc
www.facebook.com/poultrycentre
www.facebook.com/BellPlantationCafe
www.facebook.com/BellPlantationFarmShop
REGISTER ONLINE AT
WWW.BELLPLANTATION.CO.UK
4

Attract bees
into your
garden
Aim to have plants that are
attractive to Bees in flower
from early spring to
late autumn.
5

We’ve all heard reports that bees are in decline and the devastating effect their disappearance will
have on our own survival. When moving from flower to flower, bees collect nectar and pollinate
many garden and wild flowers - essential for the cropping of most fruits and some vegetables.
To support and encourage these vital pollinators into your garden this year, try to limit the use of
pesticides and choose flowers with a single row of petals. These are more attractive to bees because
they are richer in nectar and pollen and are easier to access.
Here are a few flowers we stock that bees particularly love:
PLANTS
Asters (Herbaceous)
Cosmos (Bedding)
Dahlias
Foxglove
Geraniums (Herbaceous)
Hollyhocks (Herbaceous)
Lavender
Marigolds (Bedding)
Rosemary
Roses
Sunflowers
Thymus
Zinnias
Availability
March, April, May & June
July, August
May, June
March, April, May
March, April, May, June
March, April, May, June
Always in stock
May, June, July, August
Always in stock
Always in stock
July, August
Always in stock
June, July, August
Respect bees and it’s unlikely you’ll get stung
All female bees have stings, but solitary bees are not at all aggressive and only use their stings in
self-defence.
6

Easter is the traditional
time to plant your
chitted potatoes
From mid-March or early April the soil is
starting to warm up making it the ideal
time to get your spuds into the earth.
Dig a trench 7.5-13cm (3-5in) deep (the
exact depth will vary dependent on the
potato variety you’re planting). Lightly
fertilise the trench.
Plant early potatoes about 30cm (12in) apart
with 40-50cm (16-20in) between the rows,
and second earlies and maincrops about
38cm (15in) apart with 75cm (30in) between
the rows.
Be careful not to break the shoots when
handling chitted tubers. Plant with
the shoots pointing upward. Cover the
potatoes lightly with soil.
Earth up each plant when shoots appear by
covering them with a layer of soil. Repeat
this each time the shoots reappear. By the
end of the season, each row of plants will
have a nice mound about 15cm (6in) high.
Harvest from June until September,
depending on the varieties and the growing
conditions. Earlies can be lifted when
growth is still green, and usually as soon as
the flowers open.
Second and maincrop varieties can be kept
in the ground until September, expect
above-ground growth not to be looking
great at this point!
HANDY TIP
A fortnight before digging the rest
of the crop, cut the growth off at
ground level. This will cause the
skins of the potatoes to toughen
up, making them easier to dig
without damaging them.
NEW TO
GARDENING?
“Chitted” means
“Sprouted”
7

Steve Hilling - Plant Manager,
Bell Plantation
Steve’s Top Tips for
HERBACEOUS
BORDERS
PLANTING A HERBACEOUS
BORDER
A good herbaceous border is well worth
planning properly to make sure you are
happy with it as it matures over the years.
Taller plant varieties look stunning at the
back of the display although we think it’s
nice to add interest with a smattering of
height throughout.
DESIGN TIP!
Prior to planting, set the plants out in
the border while still in their pots to
make sure you are happy with their
positioning.
GOOD SOIL PREPARATION IS
THE KEY TO SUCCESS
• Fork over your plot removing weeds and
any large stones.
• Spread a few bags of compost and turn
it into the soil to increase nutrients.
• Dig a hole for each plant that is twice
the size of the root ball and deep enough,
add some compost and a handful of
bonemeal.
• Remove the low branches of any trees to
give the plants enough light.
THOUSANDS
OF PLANTS IN
STOCK!
PLANTING
• Leave 30cm between each plant to give
them enough space to flower well and
continue to flourish in future years.
• Water in well and mulch with fine bark
to retain moisture, suppress weeds and
offer the plants some protection from the
cold.
MAINTENANCE
Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering,
unless you specifically want the seed
heads.
8

LOCATED AT
Fairytale Weddings
Wedding
Keepsakes
Perfume
Accessories
Jewellery
Wedding
Decor
Plantation House, Bell Plantation
Watling street, Towcester, Northants NN12 6GX
01327 323177 info@happilyeverafter-gifts.co.uk
www.happilyeverafter-gifts.co.uk
9

ALPINES
The perfect choice for the smaller, modern garden
Alpine plants can be grown quite easily in most gardens and look stunning in troughs and containers
making them a great choice for small gardens. Move them around to create stunning displays when in
full flower and then set to the side later in the season.
We’ve selected a few of our favourites for colour and design inspiration.
HARDY SEA PINK, OR THRIFT,
Has a compact cushion of evergreen
foliage and pretty pink flowers in late
spring and summer. Deadhead to
keep it flowering.
SEMPERVIVUM
There are many varieties of
sempervivum, or houseleek, with
attractive rosettes of fleshy leaves.
ALPINE EDELWEISS
The name Edelweiss comes from
the German language in which “edel”
stands for noble, and “weiss” means
white.
Steve’s Top Tips
ALPINE ASTERS
An early-blooming species, often
grown in rock gardens or used for
edging in the perennial border.
SNOW IN SUMMER.
Narrow, white-hairy leaves and
star-shaped white flowers 2cm across,
with notched petals, in late spring and
summer. Great for ground cover.
OFFER
3 for £10 on selected Alpines in March & April
1. Pot grown alpines can be planted out at
any time of year, but March or April is best
because the roots will grow vigorously in the
moist soil as it begins to warm up.
2. Consider drainage - Alpines will not cope
if left in wet soil.
3. Most alpines like a
neutral or slightly
alkaline soil.
4. Cover the display
with gravel to show
off the plants to best
effect.
10

JOIN US FOR
AN EVENING
FLORISTRY
COURSE
In Association with Miss Lillies, Towcester Florists
MAKE YOUR OWN
EASTER BASKET
Tuesday 11th April
7pm - 9pm
11

In response to demand, we’ve teamed up with Elizabeth, owner of Miss Lillies Florists of
Towcester to deliver a fun evening of creativity, perfectly timed for Easter.
Using a range of spring flowers enhanced with foliage, you’ll design and make a beautiful seasonal Easter basket
arrangement. Elizabeth and her colleagues will guide you through the entire process.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Absolutely nothing! All materials are included.
COURSE INCLUDES:
Basket
A selection of spring flowers and foliage & ribbon
£5 off voucher for Miss Lillies Florists
Glass of Prosecco
Tea/Coffee
TUESDAY 11TH APRIL
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Cost: £45 per head
Don’t Miss Out
Book Now
CALL :
01327 354126
12

The Perfect Start
for Nearly all
Plants
Some young plants can be especially sensitive to disturbance and require
deep root runs. Our top tip for producing superb little plants that have no
shock when transplanted out is to use a Rootrainer system.
Made up of deep seed trays, divided into separate segments known
as ‘books’ (because they open up like a book, for easy inspection and
easy transplanting), Rootrainers encourage optimum root formation
including strong, straight roots, a fundamental requirement of healthy
and successful growth.
Very good for chillies, aubergines and tomatoes, as well outdoor
vegetables such as runner beans, sweetcorn, peas, french beans, and
ornamentals like sunflowers and sweet peas.
IN STOCK NOW!
OFFER
10% OFF ALL
ROOTRAINERS IN
MARCH
*Not in conjunction with any
offer and subject to a
loyalty card
13

IS YOUR GREENHOUSE READY
FOR THE SEASON?
Deep clean your greenhouse long before you set your
first trays of seedlings and cuttings
MARCH
1. Sweep out any dead plant material.
2. Disinfect the floors, the workbenches, your
pots and seed trays, your handtools and the
inside of the glass with a hot solution of garden
disinfectant such as Jeyes Fluid. Overwintering
pests and disease can survive in the smallest
nooks and crannies so be thorough!
3. Ventilate your greenhouse well over the next
couple of days so it dries.
APRIL
Paint on a Greenhouse shading paint which will
protect your plants from the summer sun, we
stock Coolglass in ready measured sachets - just
mix with water and apply with a brush or sprayer.
It wipes off easily and is also suitable for lean-tos
and conservatories.
YOUR GREENHOUSE IS NOW
READY FOR YOUR PLANTED
TRAYS!
CONSIDER INSTALLING AN IRRIGATION
KIT - WE STOCK A WIDE RANGE OF
GARDENA MICRO DRIP COMPONENTS
WHICH MAKES IT EASY FOR YOU
TO CREATE THE IDEAL IRRIGATION
SYSTEM.
14

15

Working with nothing but the finest materials, we at Grand Union Designs create
stunningly beautiful kitchens and other rooms that are exquisitely tailored to suit our
client’s home and lifestyle.
Lovingly hand made by time served, experienced cabinetmakers, we stand by the adage
that...The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is
forgotten.
Showroom address
Unit 29, The Bell Plantation, Watling Street, Towcester
NN12 6GX
Factory address
3 South March, Long March Ind Est, Daventry, NN11 4PH
Tel 01327 353212
sales@granduniondesigns.co.uk
www.granduniondesigns.co.uk
granduniondesigns
16

FOR THE LOVE
OF BEEF
Ashley Warren’s passion
for cattle, in particular
Beef Shorthorn, is only
surpassed by his love of
horticulture. The cattle
he rears on his South
Northamptonshire farm
eat grass, a small amount
of locally grown barley
and silage. The silage is
made from the fields here
at the Garden Centre. The
cattle are only medicated
when absolutely
necessary.
“
I keep cattle because I
love having them. My father
was a farmer and had cattle
and my Grandfather actually
had a Smithfield Champion
Beef Shorthorn back in the
early 1900’s. Beef Shorthorn
are an easy breed to work with
(having a full time job at the Bell
Plantation means they need to
be!) they are very docile, very
maternal, hardy and healthy
and produce great tasting meat;
which of course we sell in our
Farm Shop.
I am expecting 30 females
to calve between the end of
February and May. The cows
make great mothers; they are
very maternal and produce
loads of milk for the calf. Beef
Shorthorn are white, red and/or
roan, you never know what you
are going to get until the calf is
born. In April, when the warm
sun dries up the soil and the
grass grows, they will be turned
out in the fields. Our cattle graze
the flood plain of the River Tove
in the summer and are housed
during the winter. Inevitably
some of the calves (normally the
bull calves) are raised for their
meat.
Shorthorn beef is renowned for
its marbling, tenderness and
flavour. I get the meat back from
the butcher in vacuum packs
of different sizes and weights,
a variety of joints, steaks and
mince. We have fresh meat
available for about one week
after I collect it from them, then
we sell it as frozen meat. We
can’t justify having a butcher on
site at the Bell just yet which is
why we sell it vac-packed and
freeze the rest. People always
seem to like buying fresh meat
rather than frozen, why I don’t
know, my family eat frozen
meat all the time. Scientific
tests to see if fresh is better than
frozen have shown there is no
difference to the quality of the
meat, some however argue that
the freezing process actually
tenderises the meat. When
footfall allows it would be great
to have the animals back whole
and have our own butcher
prepare the meat to customer’s
”
requirements.
17

BEEF BOXES ARE AVAILABLE
10kg of mixed cuts of
Beef Shorthorn £100
If you are interested in non-frozen
Wappenham Beef leave us your contact
details at the Farm Shop
If you have a requirement for larger joints
please let us know.
18

19

Happy healthy dogs
need a natural wholesome diet
Providing your dog with a healthy diet full of vitamins,
minerals and oils strengthens the immune system and
gives your dog the best defence against illness
If you can answer YES to any of the following
questions, a raw natural diet could help your dog.
• Does your dog’s coat look dull?
• Do they scratch regularly or have dry skin?
• Does your dog have suffer from wind, or vomit
and have an upset tummy?
• Do you notice that your dog is getting stiffer and
older than he/she should be for their years?
• Does your dog suffer with ear or eye infections
that clear up and then come straight back again?
• Is your dog overweight
• Does your dog have behavioural or stress and
anxiety issues
A calmer and much happier dog.
Feeding your dog a raw diet free from artificial colours and
additives eliminates many of the allergies associated with feeding
grains (cereals, grains and fillers are well known as a primary cause
of skin allergies and tummy upsets).
Your dog’s coats will be shinier, and free from doggy odour. Raw
fed dogs are much less likely to be overweight so their joints suffer
less. They also have less body fat and much better muscle tone.
FIND OUT MORE...
If you would like to feed your dog Natural Animal Nutrition,
you can order online at www.naturalanimalnutrition.com or
call 07952 198 639. We offer free delivery every Friday within
a 10 mile radius of the Bell Plantation, or alternatively you can
arrange to pick up your food from the Plantation Farmshop.
If you are concerned about your dog’s health then you should always consult your
vet for advice
15% off
your next order
with voucher
code NANBP15
Natural Animal Nutrition is dedicated to
making food that keeps your dog happy and
healthy, providing what nature intended with
nothing added to fill, colour or preserve.
20

JOIN US FOR OUR
SPRING LAUNCH
as we celebrate the completion of our new
outdoor space
21

with Special Guest
James Alexander-Sinclair
As an RHS Show Gardens judge, James sees his share of show gardens of
every kind, so expect gardening insights and inspiration aplenty.
Thursday 13th April
6.00pm to 9.30pm
WIN
* *
£100 WORTH OF
GARDEN PLANTS
ENTER OUR PRIZE
DRAW ON
THE NIGHT
Indulge in a free glass of Prosecco, delicious home-made Canapés and
shop from our Spring plant selection
JAMES ALEXANDER-SINCLAIR
James is one of the foremost garden designers in the UK. He is also an award winning
writer, a compelling speaker, frequent broadcaster and an elected member of the Council of
the Royal Horticultural Society.
He has regular columns in Gardeners World magazine and Gardens Illustrated. He has been
part of the BBC coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show since 2008.
22

Large Local Showroom Open 7 Days A Week…
Free Wet Tests
Hot Tub Relocation
Chemicals & Accessories
Hot Tub Servicing
Hot Tub Maintenance
Delivery and Full Installation
Part-Exchange Options
Coast Spas Hot Tubs & Swimspas
Finance
Options
Available
Hot Tubs @ Home, Bell Plantation, Watling Street,
Towcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 6GX
Tel: 01327 359191 www.hottubsathome.co.uk
Follow us:
@hottubsathome
Like us:
Hot tubs at home
Share your pics:
#hottubsathome
23

HOW TO STOP CATS
FOULING IN YOUR
GARDEN
There’s nothing more frustrating and unpleasant than
investing time and money in creating a beautiful garden
only to have the neighbourhood cats turn it into a giant
litter tray.
Cats will often dig holes in the soil and leave their faeces
inside, which can make them difficult to remove. Cat
poop is highly toxic; it can render your soil infertile for
years and is often teeming with a parasite which when
exposed to humans can lead to serious health issues.
IN STORE
NOW
We stock a range of
animal repellent
containing naturally
occurring ingredients
by Bayer Garden, that deters cats
from scratching, digging and fouling
in the garden.
24

CREATE YOUR OWN HERB
GARDEN
No garden is complete without these must-have
plants that are prized for their scent, flavour
and medicinal qualities
There’s nothing like the taste of freshly picked herbs straight from your garden; they add flavour to your cooking and
nourish every part of the body with their vitamin and mineral content. Easy to grow, plant them in beds, borders,
containers, or make a windowsill display.
25

Reported Health Benefits found in Herbs:
CORIANDER
Helps to lower cholesterol
Can alleviate mouth ulcers
Helps to boost bone health
OREGANO
Can help relieve gastrointestinal discomfort
It’s good for your skin
Is considered an anti-inflammatory
THYME
Antibacterial properties
Antimicrobial properties
Able to help reduce blood pressure
PARSLEY
Can help regulate blood pressure
Helps kidneys flush out excess water
Is rich in many vital nutrients, including Vit C
BASIL
Contains Disease-Fighting Antioxidants &
Antibacterial properties
Acts as an Anti-Inflammatory.
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
MINT
Aids digestion
Provides relief from nausea, depression, fatigue
and headaches
Can help with the treatment of asthma
CHIVES
Have an ability to boost heart health,
vision & the immune system
Can improve the strength of bones
Ease the digestive process
WE STOCK A COMPREHENSIVE
RANGE OF HERBS THROUGHOUT
THE SEASON THAT WILL HELP
YOU START, OR ADD TO, A HERB
GARDEN.
26

Jackador
“Force free” dog training
where kindness is key
· Puppy Classes
· 121 Training
· Adult Dog Obedience
· Rescue Dog Training/Support
· First Aid Courses
· Improvers Classes
· Scentwork workshops
· Loose Lead Walking & Recall
Workshops
Here at Jackador we believe that your Dog is a cherished member of your
family. Our IMDT qualified trainers only use kind, effective welfare friendly
training methods. We run classes and workshops within a secure field at the
Bell Plantation in Towcester covering the south Northants surrounding area.
Bell Plantation, Watling Street,
Towcester, Northants, NN12 6GX
Tel: 07976 139859 Email: jackadors@gmail.com
www.jackador.co.uk
Like us:
@jackadors
Follow us:
@Jackadors
27

EASTER END OF TERM ACTIVITIES
3RD - 14TH APRIL
Tuesday 11th April
10:00am - Midday
Busy Bees
£5.00 per child - suggested ages 4 - 8 years old
In this two hour hands-on session, children will learn about plants that attract
pollinating insects and the vital role Bee’s play in the production of our food.
They will then make their own plant marker, and pot up a sunflower that they
can take home to plant out in the garden, to encourage visiting Bees!
Booking essential
3rd - 14th April
FREE Daily
Easter Egg Hunt
Suggested ages 2 - 12yrs
Don’t Miss Out
Book Now
CALL
01327 354126
Solve the clues hidden around the Garden Centre
and eventually they’ll lead you to
your prize!
28

GET UP TO 75% MORE FRUIT
WITH GRAFTED TOMATO PLANTS
Growing any plant is easy when
you know how and grafted plants
are no different.
We choose to stock Suttons grafted
plants because of their excellent grafting
technique that produces the most
vigorous and hardy plants – perfect
for providing you with plenty of tasty
vegetables throughout the summer.
TOMATOES
‘Crimson Crush’ – exclusive to Suttons, good
resistance to the worst disease of tomatoes –
Tomato Blight
‘Duo’ Grafted Plants – Why grow these? Here
instead of the conventional single graft of one
variety, a further graft of a separate, compatible
variety is made, to provide a ‘family tree.’ Apart
from the novelty factor it is a space efficient
way of growing two varieties in a small area.
WHAT IS A GRAFTED PLANT?
Two plants are grown simultaneously; a
tasty fruiting variety and a superstrong
rootstock. The tops of the fruiting
variety and the super-strong rootstock
are carefully and skilfully removed by
hand using a small blade to slice at an
angle across each stem. The rootstock
bottom and the top of the fruiting plant
are then grafted together using a special
clip which drops off naturally as the plant
grows.
The grafting position is taken above the
first true leaf formed above the ‘seedling’
leaves (cotyledons). Grafting the plant
above the first true leaf ‘fools’ the young
plant into thinking it’s older than it really
is. The plant therefore produces its fruit
much earlier and much lower down the
stem to give you an even greater yield!
AUBERGINES
Many gardeners try growing aubergines from
seed and even in a good year probably achieve
1 or 2 fruit per plant. From a grafted plant you
should expect at least 10-12. No contest!
CUCUMBERS
The main problem for home gardeners with
cucumbers is ‘stem rot.’ This is a fungal or
bacterial disease that attacks the base of the
stem just above soil level. An attack is rapid
and fatal. Often a gardener will emerge in
the morning to check his plants and find the
cucumber plant had collapsed and died –
often in full fruit. The solution? Use a grafted
plant – it has resistance to these diseases.
29

PEPPERS
The advantages of a grafted pepper are similar to
Tomatoes. Peppers though tend to need higher
temperatures and light levels than tomatoes.
There is some evidence that grafted peppers can
be grown at lower temperatures.
For sweet peppers try ‘Britney’ or the pointed
variety ‘Thor’.
THE BENEFITS OF SUTTONS GRAFTED TOMATOES:
✓ At least 6-8 trusses per single plant
✓ At least 5-6 trusses per stem on doubles and duo’s!
✓ Up to 75% more fruit than ordinary tomato plants
✓ Even earlier fruiting
✓ Even longer fruiting period
✓ Even greater yield
✓ Even greater resistance to soil-borne pests and disease
✓ Even better for outdoor growing
FROM W/C 17TH APRIL, WE WILL BE STOCKING A LARGE RANGE OF
GRAFTED TOMATOES, GRAFTED PEPPERS AND CHILLIES, GRAFTED
AUBERGINES AND BUMPER-CROPPING SWEET POTATOES -
QUALITY GUARANTEED!
30

North, South, East or West,
we know the plants that
thrive the best!
We’ve selected three of our favourites for each aspect
THE NORTH FACING GARDEN
North-facing gardens get the least light and can
be damp
Suitable plants:
JAPANESE ANEMONE
‘HONORINE JOBERT’
Herbaceous perennial
Flowers: August to October
Ultimate Height & Spread: 1.5 m x 1 m
Suitable Soil: Loam, Chalk, Sand &
Clay
ALCHEMILLA
Perennial
Flowers: June to September
Ultimate Height & Spread: 0.5 metre
x 0.5 metre
Suitable Soil: Loam, Chalk, Sand &
Clay
GOLDEN SHIELD FERN
Semi – Evergreen
Flowers: N/A
Ultimate Height & Spread:
1.5 metres x 1 metre
Suitable Soil: Loam, Chalk, Sand &
Clay
THE SOUTH FACING GARDEN
South-facing gardens get the most light
Suitable plants:
PHOTINIA
Evergreen Shrub
Flowers: April to May, or June
Ultimate Height & Spread: 4
metres x 4 metres
Suitable Soil: Loam, Sand & Clay
CEANOTHUS
Evergreen Shrub
Flowers: Late Spring to Late
Summer
Ultimate Height & Spread: Various
Suitable Soil: Loam, Sand & Clay
ACER
Deciduous Tree
Flowers: Early to Mid-Spring
Ultimate Height & Spread: 8 metres
x 8 metre
Suitable Soil: All
31

THE EAST FACING GARDEN
East-facing gardens get morning light
Suitable plants:
THE WEST FACING GARDEN
West-facing gardens get afternoon and evening
light
AQUILEGA
Annual
Flowers: Late Spring
Ultimate Height & Spread: 0.5
metres x 0.5 metres
Suitable Soil: Loam, Sand, Clay &
Chalk
Suitable plants:
LAVENDER
Annual
Flowers: Summer
Ultimate Height & Spread: 1 metre
x 1.5 metres
Suitable Soil: Chalk or Alkaline
RED VALERIAN
Semi Evergreen, Annual or
Perennial
Flowers: April to September
Ultimate Height & Spread: 1 metre
x 0.5 metres
Suitable Soil: Loam, Sand & Chalk
DICENTRA BLEEDING
HEART
Deciduous Perennial
Flowers: April to June
Ultimate Height & Spread: 1
metre x 1 metre
Suitable Soil: Clay, Loam & Chalk
PRIMROSE
Semi Evergreen or Herbaceous
Flowers: Spring
Ultimate Height & Spread: 10 cm x
0.1 metre
Suitable Soil: Loam, Sand, Clay &
Chalk
WISTERIA
Woody Climber
Flowers: Spring - Summer
Ultimate Height & Spread: 4.8
metres x 1.5 metres
Suitable Soil: Clay, Loam, Sand &
Chalk
Need some assistance on what is best for your garden?
Pop in and see one of our gardening experts today
32

AFTERNOON TEA
Enjoy the quintessential British
experience of Afternoon Tea at
the Bell Plantation Café
Indulge in finely cut sandwiches with
classic fillings and savoury treats,
together with freshly baked scones with
strawberry preserve and clotted cream.
This deliciously decadent treat is
followed by a mouth-watering selection
of scrumptious cakes created and baked
with care by our in house team. All
served with “Brew Tea” loose leaf tea
or speciality Coffee.
“
A big thank you for a wonderful afternoon tea.
The tea room has a lovely warm atmosphere, all the
young ladies who served us tea were very welcoming
and the selection of sandwiches, quiche, savoury and
fruit scones, desserts, pickle, clotted cream, jams,
was endless. Best of all, it was home baked. That is
becoming a rarity now in our fast food era.
”
Isabel Rankin, Daventry
BOOKING
ESSENTIAL
Please email
cafe@bellplantation.co.uk
or call 01327 354 126
33

20% OFF HAIR
for new customers
Find us at: The Bell Plantation | 01327 437277 | Facebook: The Beauty Works Towcester
www.thebeautyworkstowcester.co.uk
34

35

CREATE A “BESPOKE TO
YOUR ENVIRONMENT”
HANGING BASKET
WITH OUR RESIDENT PLANT EXPERT - STEVE HILLING
Steve will advise you on plant choice based on whether your baskets will be hanging in a sunny or shady spot and
how much time you can commit to their care - do you have time to deadhead? Not everyone does!
With Steve’s expertise and guidance, you can be confident your baskets will flourish throughout the season.
Saturday 6th May
10.00am - Midday
£35 per basket
Price includes basket, compost, plants.
Deduct £5 if you bring your own basket.
Call 01327 354 126 to Book
Don’t Miss Out
Book Now -
CALL :
01327 354126
36

HELP YOUR ROSE
GARDEN THRIVE
ROSES ARE EXTREMELY
VERSATILE AND HARDY PLANTS
THAT CAN BE PLANTED IN A
VARIETY OF POSITIONS AND
LOCATIONS IN THE GARDEN
1. Roses need a minimum of 4 hours
of direct sunlight a day
2. Plant your rose 3 feet away from
other plants and 2 feet from other
roses to avoid competition for
moisture and sunlight
3. Avoid very exposed, windy sites.
Wind can destabilise your rose
causing angled growth
WATERING ROSES
As a guide, we recommend watering
the following amount per rose each
time you water:
• Shrub roses
1-3 gallons
• Climbing roses 3-6 gallons
• Rambling roses 3-6 gallons
• Standard roses 3-6 gallons
• Roses in pots
1-3 gallons
Newly planted roses – water every
two or three days.
Established roses – water once or
twice a week as needed to keep the
soil moist.
Water as close to the base of the
rose as you can, not over flowers or
foliage. Allow the water to soak in
avoiding “flooding”. Watering foliage
can encourage disease problems,
particularly if it remains on the leaves
overnight. If using a hose, try to get a
fitting that has a rose setting or, make
sure the pressure is not too high on
your hose.
FEEDING ROSES
If you wish to get the most out of
your roses we always recommend
feeding, particularly repeat-flowering
English Roses.
For the best results, we recommend
two annual feeds:
1. At the beginning of the growing
season.
2.After the first bloom cycle has
finished for stronger repeat flowering.
We stock the specially formulated
David Austin ® Rose Food all year
round. Simply sprinkle Rose Food
around the base of each rose.
MULCHING ROSES
We recommend using small bark
chippings for mulching as it helps
to retain moisture and to suppress
weeds. You can do this at any time
of year but for best results, mulch in
early spring. Remove all the weeds
in your rose border, apply about an
inch thick layer of bark around the
base of the rose and any bare soil
next to your rose. The more you apply
the better the moisture retention
and weed suppressant. If you are
mulching when the soil is dry, water
well either before or after mulching.
CONTROLLING DISEASE
The main fungal challenges for roses
are rust, black spot and powdery
mildew. David Austin ® English Roses
as a group are relatively resistant to
disease.
37

DEAD-HEADING ROSES
There are two good reasons to dead
head:
1. To encourage repeat flowering;
this stops your rose producing seeds
in the hips, which are formed after
flowering, so that it has more energy
for repeat flowering.
2. Shaping – it is an opportunity to
shape your shrub.
Dead-head soon after each
flowering until the end of the
season/autumn. Each flowering
stem can be cut back as far as three
sets of leaves. If you are unsure, cut
back to where flowers stop on the
stem.
Images courtesy of David Austin Roses ®
Graham Thomas ® (Ausmas) Standard
Gertrude Jekyll ® (Ausbord) & Nepeta
‘Six Hills Giant’
FREE EVENT
Join our resident
David Austin® English Roses
expert, Steve for a talk on how
to care for your roses,
with a Q & A.
SATURDAY JUNE 17TH
10:00am - 11:00am
38

TREAT YOUR DAD TO A MEATY
FEAST AT THE BELL!
SUNDAY 18TH JUNE
MIDDAY - 3:00PM
Beer & Burger £10.00 per Adult
Soft Drink & Burger £5.00 per Child
Booking not necessary
FATHERS DAY
–
–
SUNDAY
JUNE 18TH
39

SHOP - BREWERY
TAP ROOM - BREWERY TOURS
Towcester Mill Brewery Shop
Bell Plantation Garden Centre
Watling Street
Towcester, NN12 6GX
Tel: 01327 437560
Email: shop@towcestermillbrewery.co.uk
Towcester Mill Brewery & Tap Room
The Mill
Chantry Lane
Towcester, NN12 6AD
Tel: 01327 437060
Email: info@towcestermillbrewery.co.uk
www.towcestermillbrewery.co.uk
40

IN CELEBRATION
OF THE EGG
We love eggs at the Poultry Centre!
An all-natural source of quality protein and good
cholesterol, all for 70 calories. Cost-effective and
versatile, the unique nutritional composition
of eggs can help meet a variety of nutrient needs
for children through to older adults. Nutrition
research suggests eggs can play a role in weight
management, muscle strength, healthy
pregnancy, brain function, eye health
and more.
Of course, collecting the eggs at the Poultry
centre has always been part of the fun – and
with such a wide variety of egg layers on sale
here, there’s something for all tastes.
A perennial favourite is what the Americans
call the ‘Easter Egger’. These hybrid hens lay
high quality eggs in an astonishing blue
colour all the year round.
Like your eggs brown? Try one of our
Cou-cou maran hybrids with their speckled
honey coloured eggs. If browner is better, try our
brown egg specials, laying good size eggs all year
round the colour of conkers!
Then of course there is wonderful white – our lovely
leghorns lay surprisingly large white eggs (for small birds
– ouch!) that go wonderfully in omelettes.
Whatever colour you prefer, if you like the
idea of collecting your own flavour of fresh
egg on the day it was laid – come have a chat
with our knowledgeable poultry team.
9

10

JUNE
OUT FOX MR FOX
Your priority this month is to make
sure the fencing surrounding your
run/coop is in a good state of repair,
because from now until early autumn
Mr Fox is busy looking for his chicken
supper. Cubs are also learning to
hunt on their own right now and
most likely to pay your chickens a
visit early evening or at first light.
If your chickens are not kept in secure
runs they are easy prey. Foxes are
extremely intelligent and determined
opportunists, so to prevent them
from taking your flock you need to
outsmart the cunning chap. Here’s
our quick guide…
CHICKEN COOPS
Your birds need to be securely locked
inside a coop at night to prevent a fox
attack. We stock a comprehensive
range of self-enclosed coops to keep
your birds safe. We recommend
placing the coop on hard ground (so a
lawn as opposed to soft mud) as this
will make it virtually impossible for
the fox to gain access.
ELECTRIC FENCING
Electric fencing is the best method
to protect your birds if they are free
ranging in a field. We stock the full
range of Rutland Electric Fencing. The
electric fencing kits have everything
you need and are available in 25m
and 50m kits. Alternatively, you can
have an energiser and wires, and
section off a larger area – we can
advise you on suitable systems.
FOX HOLES
If you spot a Fox Hole on your
property, you can block it, but make
sure that you’re not burying one alive.
To poison or trap a fox is illegal.
IF YOU NEED HELP PROTECTING
YOUR FLOCK FROM FOXES (AND
EVEN BADGERS), PLEASE TALK TO
ONE OF POULTRY TEAM.
Need Advice?
Talk to our poultry team.
We are more than happy
to help and advise you
where we can.
Our experts are on
hand 7 Days a week.
7

8

MAY
Red mite season begins
start preventative red mite treatment
Red Mite are notoriously difficult to
remove once they’ve taken residence.
They love the warmer weather and
can multiply very quickly; if you don’t
treat them you’ll soon have a serious
infestation to deal with.
If you find mites in your coop treat
the coop urgently:
SMALL NUMBERS
Wash the house down with a mite
killing liquid and use a product such
as Smite or any mite killing powder
such as Diatomaceous Earth to kill
them.
LARGER NUMBERS
(Serious cases need repeat cleaning
and powdering every 3 to 5 days until
no evidence remains)
1. Clear out the coop including
all bedding. Anything that will
disconnect from the coop – remove
it. If you have felt roof on the house,
remove that (they live underneath
the felt too).
2. Jet wash every inch, crack and
crevice of the coop. When you stop
jetting, the mites will start to move
around. Repeat the process, until you
see no red mites moving around.
3. Rebuild the coop. We wouldn’t
bother re-felting the roof, use a
removable waterproof cover such as
an old ground sheet or some large
sheets of plastic.
4. Dust all over the inside of the
housing with a product such as
Smite, including bedding. These
mite powders contain silicates
that damage the waxy cuticle on
the mite’s surface, causing them to
dehydrate and die. Coat the perches
with the powder, reapplying it every
couple of days.
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON
TOP OF RED MITE
To control numbers and eventually
rid yourself of Red Mite, you need to
break the breeding cycle - you must
repeat no more than 7 days later. A
female red mite in warm conditions
can lay 120,000 eggs in one week!
CHICK WATCH
Young chicks need to be close to
water and food at all times. Make
sure you use shallow drinkers to
prevent them drowning. Line
your brooder (a small animal
cage) with wood shavings with
large flakes or try Easichick wood
fibre bedding (do not use sawdust
which gets ingested when pecking
and can make your chicks ill).
5

Your brooder needs to be set up with a suitable heat source to keep your chicks
nice and warm. Whatever you use, make sure you choose red bulbs; injury doesn’t
show under red light. Under white light, any bloody spot will immediately attract
pecking by the other chicks, who will happily peck each other to death.
Need Advice?
Talk to our poultry team.
We are more than happy
to help and advise you
where we can.
Our experts are on
hand 7 Days a week.
6

3
APRIL
Spring clean coops
and make good runs

Keep on top of the quality of your
run by adding gravel, sand or bark
chippings to keep it in tip top shape.
Boost your birds’ health and
immunity by adding apple and
garlic cider vinegar (5ml per litre) to
drinking water (we also sell garlic
granules as a feed additive). Garlic
improves the appetite and helps
hens produce larger and better
quality eggs. When given to chicks
it can act as a parasite preventative.
Make sure the birds are monitored
to ensure they are happy with this
in their water. If your birds are not
accustomed to garlic, introduce
it in small doses until the flock
become used to the taste, gradually
increasing over time.
A quality coop is essential to the
health and well-being of your birds
and will be the biggest investment
you make when hen-keeping
A well-designed coop should have
good ventilation, good perches and
nest boxes. It should also be very
secure to protect your birds at night,
so look for quality locking systems.
Your birds would also benefit from
a part covered run to cope with the
lovely English weather!
If you want to buy a new coop,
talk to our team of poultry
experts who can recommend
the right sized housing
for the type and quantity of
birds you have.
CHICK WATCH
Some schools of thought say you
shouldn’t mix chicks and young
birds with older birds as they’ll be
bullied. Most bullying occurs due
to overcrowding – your birds like
a lot of space, give them that and
your hens should be able to raise
their chicks happily in the flock.
Need Advice?
Talk to our poultry team.
We are more than happy
to help and advise you
where we can.
Our experts are on
hand 7 Days a week.
4

MARCH
Broody birds and time to worm your hens and ducks!
Fertility should now be at its best
and all hens should be laying by
now. Hatching should also be in
full swing this month. Our Chicks
are busy entertaining visitors to
the Poultry Centre, they run about
faster than their little legs can cope
with, tumbling over, before picking
themselves up and scooting off again!
If you keep Geese, these will also be
laying. Ganders are very protective
birds at this time and make no
mistake, you’ll know if he thinks you
are a threat to his family, running
at you with a lowered neck, wings
outstretched and being very vocal!
Equally you might find your broody
hens a bit challenging when you want
to collect eggs. They tend to “growl”
and puff up their feathers to ward you
off and if you dare to continue, she
might peck/bite you. Her aggression
may also be noticeable toward other
birds when she’s off the nest.
Keep an eye on where your hens
brood, and if you can, mark her eggs.
Unless your hen is very protective of
her nest, other hens might lay eggs
under her each day to incubate. This
will directly affect hatching success,
because after the first chicks make an
appearance, she’s going to get up off
the eggs to raise them, leaving the
unhatched eggs to perish. Marking
her eggs allows new eggs to be
easily identified and removed for
incubation. The shade of a hen’s ear
can often identify their eggs,
as a rule of thumb hens with white
ears lay white shells.
It’s a really good idea to worm your
birds now; we stock Verm-X in liquid
and pellet form. Use it for 3 days each
and every month to condition the
digestive system and create a hostile
environment in the gut, eliminating
worms. If you see worms in
droppings then you need a veterinary
wormer such as Flubenvet. The
nearest stockist is Beech House Vets
on site at Bell Plantation Garden
Centre.
1

Need Advice?
Talk to our poultry
team. We are more
than happy to help
and advise you
where we can.
Our experts are on
hand 7 Days a week.
2

THE POULTRY CENTRE
We’re here to advise, support and supply you with everything you need to
keep your poultry healthy, happy and productive.
All hybrid birds come fully vaccinated and carry a 28-day replacement guarantee.
Poultry Centre
Watling Street, Towcester, Northants, NN12 6GX
Telephone: 01327 354 126, www.poultrycentre.co.uk
facebook.com/poultrycentre