Oaktree Home and Garden

Helping to create the Garden of your dreams, the way nature intended

Archive for the 'Hints and Tips' Category


If your Dog is poorly, don’t give it Grapes!

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008

Many dog owners are unaware of the possible dangers certain ‘human’ foodstuffs contain when they allow their dog to eat ‘tit bits’
Most pet owners realise that ‘human’ chocolate is poisonous to dogs and sensibly buy dog chocolate, but how many dogs ‘hoover’ up the crumbs left over after our meal times, especially when children have […]

How to get a sound from a Shepherd’s Whistle

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

Before I started selling Shepherd’s Whistles I tried one myself and judging by the many questions I have received asking how to get a sound from the whistle, discovered they are not that easy to get a sound out of at first.
Do not despair! It took me about an hour to finally get a […]

Seed versus Plugs

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

One of the most satisfying aspects of gardening is growing your own plants, the question is do you grow from seed or buy already grown plug plants?
Most satisfying has to be sowing your own seed, the anticipation of that first crack in the compost as the new born seedling emerges is a wonderful feeling, but […]

Budgerigars and Frying Pans do not mix

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Most pets are susceptible to poisoning and even death from eating certain human foods, chocolate and dogs is the most common example.
However few people realise that if you are warming up a teflon coated pan on the cooker certain fumes are given off which, if your Budgie happens to be in the vicinity, will most […]

Plant Roses in November

Sunday, November 11th, 2007

The month of November is the best time to plant new rose bushes.
The ground is still quite warm and the soil is manageable, allowing the roots to get a good start before the ravages of Winter set in.
Don’t forget to prune the bushes back hard prior to planting and mix a planting medium of […]

The Importance of Cleanliness and Hygiene in Bird Tables and Feeders

Sunday, November 11th, 2007

When putting a bird table or feeder in the garden, few people I suspect, ever give a thought to cleaning the feeders.
They stand or hang in place, are topped up with feed every so often and we sit back and watch the birds feed.
What a lot of people do not realise is the importance of […]

Living with the Enemy: Squirrels

Sunday, July 15th, 2007

How many times have we put food out for the birds only to see it stolen by a squirrel?
Worse still how many feeders have been vandalised or destroyed by this now common garden visitor?
There is a simple solution, provide the squirrel with its own food source, by placing a squirrel feeder in an area of […]

Plants Hungry for Food

Monday, June 25th, 2007

Hanging Baskets and Planters are beginning to appear on most houses and buildings inbetween the showers. Those baskets and planters not placed directly under the eves of houses are getting a plentiful supply of water, don’t forget when you hang a basket or planter from your house that many do hang beneath the eves and […]

Hanging Basket tips, buying and planting.

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007

A house without a hanging basket in the summer looks naked. Imagine in your mind the typical English village where the cottages have roses growing around the front door and hanging baskets on either side, yet apparently we have the Americans to thank for introducing Hanging Baskets into this country, I have yet to research […]

Rooted Christmas Trees. Planting in the garden after Christmas.

Thursday, February 8th, 2007

In the two weeks leading up to Christmas the population of the UK purchases millions of Christmas Trees.
The majority of trees are cut ones, meaning they have no root system attached, just the trunk and branches, however, thousands of Christmas Trees are sold as rooted trees, some are bare root, in other words the […]