Christmas Trees

Christmas at The Hertfordshire Garden Centre

Here's how and when to prune fruit trees.

When pruning fruit trees, it is imperative to have some tips and knowledge to ensure they are pruned correctly and thrive into the future. By ensuring you know each tree and the pruning method, your fruit trees will repay you will plenty of fruit.&nbsp;Here's how and when to prune fruit trees, such as apples and pears, apricots and peaches, damsons and plums, citrus and cherry.
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<h2>Apples and pears</h2>
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Apple and pear trees should be pruned during the dormant season from November to March. Also, use using sharp and clean tools. We recommended that you stand back from the tree and look at the shape. This will help you to see how to prune for good airflow and a goblet shape.
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<li>Firstly remove crossing branches, inward-growing shoots,</li>
<li>Then cut back the previous year’s growth to approximately one-third.</li>
<li>Cut above a bud and make sure it is facing towards the way you would like it to grow.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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<h2>Apricots and peaches</h2>
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Apricots and other stone fruit trees should be pruned during early spring before growth starts. Pruning too soon during the winter can increase the chances of diseases such as&nbsp;silver leaf&nbsp;and&nbsp;bacterial canker. Prune young trees after the first bud bursts in early spring. Established trees can be pruned in the summertime.
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<h2>Damsons and plums</h2>
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Pruning should be carried out in early spring or mid-summer and as with apricots and peaches, avoid pruning from autumn throughout winter. These don’t require pruning as specifically as apple and pear trees, but early training and removing old wood will help to ensure they produce lots of fruit.
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<h2>Citrus</h2>
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If you are growing citrus fruits, you may be pleased to know they don’t need much pruning but tidying them up during February is a good idea. Thin out branches as needed, and if your citrus tree has got out of shape or is too leggy, you can prune it back by about two-thirds. If you find some growth growing much too quickly, nip off the tips and any fast-growing shoots as needed. Also, remove shoots that appear from the bottom of the stem beneath a graft as soon as they appear.
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<h2>Cherry</h2>
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Cherries can be pruned in late July and into August, but light pruning can be undertaken in spring. Cherries can be vigorous, so pruning is necessary. Pruning will help to ensure your tree has a good balance of the older wood, which will fruit younger replacement branches for future fruit.
There are many more fruit trees that can be grown and many styles of pruning, from espalier to fan or cordon, so this is a guide to get you started.&nbsp;
We stock a wide range of high-quality pruning tools, like pruning shears, secateurs, loppers, gloves, and more. If you want to plant a fruit tree, this is your time! Fruit trees are excellent to plant in autumn. Please visit us to find&nbsp;fruit trees perfect for your garden. You can always ask our friendly staff for advice!

Pruning fruit trees

This guide to light your garden for Christmas will help you have a sparkling, festive display with energy efficiency in mind.

This guide to light your garden for Christmas will help you have a sparkling, festive display with energy efficiency in mind. It is possible to have a fantastic display on a budget, from small light features to a whole garden of fairy lights. There are many options to celebrate Christmas by lighting up your garden this year. We give you some tips to have the most beautiful garden, with energy-saving lighting.
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<h2>Consider the type of bulbs you will use&nbsp;</h2>
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There are many different lights available, from standard plug-in lights to solar lights. One option that is top of the list is to look for energy-efficient LED bulb lights. Not only will they cost less due to low energy consumption, but they will last a lot longer than many other bulbs. This will substantially reduce your energy usage and costs over the festive period. There are many available, including soft glow lights that can really look like snow!
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<h2>Different types of lights to choose from&nbsp;</h2>
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There is a vast array of lights to decorate your garden with, so it’s a good idea to think about what style you want and what you would like your garden to look like. Would you like all of the lights to be white or full of different colours? There are also many different shapes, from flower shapes to birds, snow or just a classic fairy light string of lights. Or if you can’t decide, get some inspiration when you go shopping and see all the different types available.&nbsp;
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<h2>Safety aspects of lighting your garden&nbsp;</h2>
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It’s important to ensure you purchase outdoor lights for outdoor use. Make sure you have an outdoor safety socket that is protected from the rain or, if they are plugged in inside, that all windows and doors are secured. If cables anywhere are a trip hazard, ensure they are secured or taped down. Don’t forget to include a timer for your lights so you won’t ever have to remember to turn them off before you go to bed.&nbsp;
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<h2>What to light up in your garden&nbsp;</h2>
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Depending on your garden and what you want to achieve from lighting it up for the festive period, just about anything can be covered in lights! Icicle lights hanging from the roof, lighting up a pathway, lights sparkling in a tree or even on potted plants or by the front door. There are lights appropriate for any size, space and style. There are even lights that will ‘dance’ to music.&nbsp;
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<li>
<h2>Some fun stuff for the garden&nbsp;</h2>
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Do you want to go wild? You can&nbsp;have some really great fun with LED-lighted garden reindeer, angels, stars, and Christmas trees&nbsp;or how about a snowman? Even Santa’s sledge can make an appearance. The LED bulbs highlight your garden during the evening. Give your guests a warm welcome with fun lighting figures.
Replace your old Christmas lighting with energy-saving, new, and good-looking LED lights to save money and energy this Christmas.&nbsp;You will be amazed by the huge choice we offer at our garden centre. Check out our range of Christmas lights in our festive store.&nbsp;

Guide to energy-efficient light your garden for Christmas

Here are our top tips on how to make your garden wildlife-friendly this winter.

We know how important wildlife is to our gardens, pollinating plants and helping to keep pests under control. And it works the other way, too - our gardens are also important to wildlife, providing food and shelter. Winter can be harsh for wildlife, with food scarce, and how we garden can help or hinder them. Here are our top tips on how to make your garden wildlife-friendly this winter.
<h2>9 ways to help your garden wildlife in winter</h2>
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<li>
Don’t cut all your perennials back in autumn. Hollow flower stems provide shelter for spiders, insects and other invertebrates over winter, so leave a few to stand until the weather starts to warm up in spring.
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Put away the leaf blower and rake fallen leaves by hand. As well as adding to the problems of noise and air pollution, it’s thought that the use of leaf blowers is contributing to the drop in insect populations. The whole question of whether or not to rake up leaves at all is a tricky one. Left to lie, leaves will eventually break down, returning nutrients to the soil, and leaf piles provide a winter home for hedgehogs and insects. However, they also attract slugs and snails, so as a compromise, clear beds with incredibly precious, slug-prone plants and only let the leaves lie on beds containing shrubs and tougher plants.
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Provide log piles or areas of long grass near ponds for amphibians like frogs and newts to shelter in over winter. Clear snow from frozen ponds so that light can get in and plants can photosynthesise, keeping the water oxygenated for pond wildlife.&nbsp;
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Birds need plenty of food in winter to keep their body temperature up, so fill bird feeders with energy-rich seeds like sunflower hearts or hang-up suet balls. Top up feeders regularly so that birds don’t make wasted journeys to find food.
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Keep birdbaths filled and make sure they don’t freeze over. As well as drinking water, birds also need to be able to keep their feathers clean to preserve their insulation.
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Plant berry-bearing plants like holly, hawthorn and crab apple trees. These provide food for birds and add beautiful autumn and winter colour to the garden.
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Don’t cut back ivy in autumn. A mature ivy, being evergreen,&nbsp;&nbsp;is a fantastic winter shelter for birds and insects, and the berries are a high-energy food source. Once spring arrives, you can cut back the ivy to keep it under control.&nbsp;
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<li>
Plant flowers for winter pollinators. Hellebores, winter heather, mahonia, primroses and crocuses are all excellent nectar sources for foraging bees and other pollinators in winter and early spring.
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<li>
Mulch your beds in winter with a thick layer of organic material such as garden compost or well-rotted farmyard manure. This will be worked into the soil by worms and other organisms, and healthy soil means healthy plants and a healthy garden ecosystem.
</li>
</ol>
If you’re looking for ways to help your garden wildlife this winter, visit our centre. We have everything you need, from bird feeders to winter plants, and our friendly staff are always happy to help!

9 ways to make your garden wildlife-friendly this winter

Christmas shopping at your garden centre is an experience that everyone can enjoy. Here are our top tips on what to look out for.

Are you tired of trudging from shop to shop or scrolling through endless websites to find that perfect gift? Take a break and head to your garden centre this year for your Christmas shopping. You'll find a huge selection of great gift ideas for everyone (yes, even non-gardeners), as well as decorations and homeware to make your home look fantastic this festive season. Christmas shopping at your garden centre is an experience that everyone can enjoy. Here are our top tips on what to look out for.
<h2>Christmas shopping at your garden centre</h2>
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A garden centre is a perfect place to find outstanding gifts for the gardeners in the family. Whether it's that unique gardening tool they've been hankering after, a fabulous garden ornament or a new pair of gloves (gardeners always need new gloves!), you'll find a wealth of choices at your garden centre.&nbsp;
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Garden centres don't only have gifts for gardeners! Browse through the homewares section for great gifts to add comfort and style to the home. From diffusers to tea towels and scented candles to coffee mugs, there are endless gifting ideas for all your favourite people.
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We haven't forgotten about the kids, either. You'll find plenty of toys, games and puzzles for children in our Christmas ranges to keep them entertained for hours while you relax and enjoy some downtime over the holidays. You might even find yourself getting into the games too!
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Is there someone you know that could do with a touch of luxury in their life? Or maybe you need a little treat yourself? Our range of toiletries includes deliciously scented soaps, hand and body creams, bath salts and a whole range of other indulgences to pamper your body and lift your spirits this Christmas.&nbsp;
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Decorate your home in style this festive season with our fantastic Christmas ranges.&nbsp;Whether it's strings of fairy lights to brighten up your house and garden, wreaths for your front door or sparkling decorations for your tree, you'll find plenty of inspiration in your garden centre.
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It wouldn't be Christmas without a Christmas tree, and the garden centre is the perfect place to find one. From giant real fir trees that reach the ceiling to miniature artificial trees just right for a side table, you'll find the perfect tree for you at your local garden centre.
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A visit to the garden centre isn't just about shopping. Take a break and enjoy a cup of tea and a delicious treat in the café while you plan your perfect Christmas. It's a chance to sit, chat, and&nbsp;soak up the festive atmosphere.
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</ul>
<h2>Visit your garden centre in %locations% this Christmas</h2>
To start the holiday season, we invite you to come over to our Christmas garden centre. Our Christmas shop is open, so you're free to visit us for Christmas shopping. If you need some inspiration for your Christmas table or are looking for energy-saving Christmas lights or a stunning artificial Christmas tree,&nbsp;come in and visit our centre! There's something for everyone in our festive Christmas ranges.

Why garden centres are great for Christmas shopping

On the Blog

Harvesting vegetables from your garden is hugely satisfying, and you&#39;ll revolutionise your tastebuds:&nbsp;food picked just minutes before it&#39;s on your plate has a colour, flavour and crunchiness that have to be&nbsp;experienced to be believed.

We have everything in our %locations%&nbsp;garden centre to turn your garden into a haven of productivity: here&#39;s a selection&nbsp;to get you started.

Seeds: most veg are grown from seeds, from tomatoes to carrots and lettuces. Take your pick from the huge&nbsp;range in our garden centre; we&#39;ve also got ready-spaced seed tapes and delicious heritage vegetables for&nbsp;you to try.

Sets and seed potatoes: from early spring we stock seed potatoes, plus onions, shallots and garlic from&nbsp;sets &ndash; easy-to-handle baby bulbs to plant straight into the ground.

Plug plants: for the ultimate in convenience we also stock plug plants -baby veg plants ready to go straight&nbsp;into containers or out into the garden.

Perennial vegetables: great value for money, these include some real delicacies: in our garden centre you&#39;ll&nbsp;find asparagus crowns, able to crop for 20 years, and stately globe artichokes looking as good as they taste.

Please ask the staff in our garden centre in %locations%for more information and advice about growing vegetables.

*please be advised a variety of our products are seasonal. And can only be found at certain points of the year.

Vegetables

Growing your own food is one of life's great pleasures, and like most good things, it's worth doing well. A great way of measuring your progress is to pit yourself against the old-timers - producers of football-sized onions and metre-long carrots.
It takes courage to exhibit your produce,

Growing for show

Protect delicate plants like cistus, fuchsias and penstemons by tucking bracken or straw around their bases to keep the worst of the frost off. Don't trim off dead top growth till next spring either: this also lends the roots some protection against freezing in the coldest weather.

Christmas at The Hertfordshire Garden Centre

This year at The Hertfordshire Garden Centre we have our full product range, real & artificial Christmas Tree's available now!

With some later opening times and winter warmers available during December weekends, as well as our Cafe providing a tasty Christmas themed afternoon tea (and more!) we are sure to suit your needs this festive season!

Christmas Tree delivery is also available so you are sure to be ready on time, with our dedicated team on hand to help whenever you need.
For further information on delivery costs please give us a call.

Our opening times are slightly changing during December to allow our customers extra time to pick their tree's!

From December 1st - 23rd:

Monday - Wednesday's 8am-5pm

Thursday - Saturdays 8am-6pm

Sundays - 10am-4pm

On the Blog

Pruning fruit trees

Guide to energy-efficient light your garden for Christmas

9 ways to make your garden wildlife-friendly this winter

Why garden centres are great for Christmas shopping

Growing for show

Protect tender perennials

Monday	08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:00 - 17:00
Thursday	08:00 - 17:00
Friday	08:00 - 17:00
Saturday	08:00 - 17:00
Sunday	10:00 - 16:00

Monday	07.00 - 16.00
Tuesday	07.00 - 16.00
Wednesday	07.00 - 16.00
Thursday	07.00 - 16.00
Friday	07.00 - 16.00
Saturday	07.00 - 16.00
Sunday	10:00 – 15:30

Christmas at The Hertfordshire Garden Centre

This year at The Hertfordshire Garden Centre we have our full product range, real & artificial Christmas Tree's available now!

With some later opening times and winter warmers available during December weekends, as well as our Cafe providing a tasty Christmas themed afternoon tea (and more!) we are sure to suit your needs this festive season!

Christmas Tree delivery is also available so you are sure to be ready on time, with our dedicated team on hand to help whenever you need. For further information on delivery costs please give us a call.

Our opening times are slightly changing during December to allow our customers extra time to pick their tree's!

From December 1st - 23rd:

Monday - Wednesday's 8am-5pm

Thursday - Saturdays 8am-6pm

Sundays - 10am-4pm

On the Blog

Pruning fruit trees

Guide to energy-efficient light your garden for Christmas

9 ways to make your garden wildlife-friendly this winter

Why garden centres are great for Christmas shopping

Growing for show

Protect tender perennials

Christmas Tree delivery is also available so you are sure to be ready on time, with our dedicated team on hand to help whenever you need.
For further information on delivery costs please give us a call.