Francesca's Growing Patch -

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020

Late Summer Giveaway 2020

With many of us returning to work as lockdown measures are easing, we’re probably spending a bit less time in the garden than we were in early summer. The weather is still lovely though and August to September offers some beautiful light to sit out and enjoy your garden after putting all that hard work in earlier in the year. I have teamed up with some fab bloggers to offer one lucky winner the chance to win a £100 M&S Hamper of their choice. There are lots to choose from, what better way to sit out and enjoy the good weather while it lasts?!

The Bloggers

The prize

Up for giveaway is a £100 M&S hamper of your choice. With plenty to choose from you can choose yourself a lovely treat!

Rules & Enter

1. There is one top prize of a £100 M&S hamper of the winner’s choosing. 2. There are no runner up prizes 3. Open to UK residents aged 18 and over, excluding all bloggers involved with running the giveaway 4. Closing date for entries is midnight on 31.08.20 5. The same Rafflecopter widget appears on all the blogs involved, but you only need to enter on one blog 6. Entrants must log in to the Rafflecopter widget, and complete one or more of the tasks – each completed task earns one entry in the prize draw 7. Tweeting about the giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget will earn five bonus entries into the prize draw. 8. 1 winner will be chosen at random. 9. The winner will be informed by email within 7 days of the closing date and will need to respond within 28 days with their delivery address, or a replacement winner will be chosen. 10. The winners’ names will be published in the Rafflecopter widget (unless the winner objects to this). 11. The prizes will be despatched within 14 days of the winner confirming their address. 12. The promoter is www.EmmaDrew.info 13. By participating in this prize draw, entrants confirm they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions To enter simply complete any or all of the Rafflecopter entry widgets below a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!

August 2, 2020August 3, 2020

Verbena Bonariensis – Plant of the Week (2nd August)

July and August is when the verbena bonariensis comes into its own. It’s full of bees and butterflies at this time of year, filling their boots with its nectar. It’s a lovely plant to add movement and height to a garden. It gently bobs in the breeze, and can grow to about 2 metres if it likes its position. Continue reading “Verbena Bonariensis – Plant of the Week (2nd August)”

July 26, 2020August 3, 2020

Petunia – Plant of the Week (26th July)

Some might say that a petunia is old fashioned or gaudy, but I love them. They provide such a vibrant burst of colour and can be grown quite simply from seed. Continue reading “Petunia – Plant of the Week (26th July)”

July 19, 2020July 25, 2020

Nicotiana – Plant of the Week (19th July)

I’ve grown nicotiana from seed very successfully from seed for the last few years. When I say very successfully, I mean that from one small sowing of seeds, I managed to get 45 seedlings! Continue reading “Nicotiana – Plant of the Week (19th July)”

July 12, 2020August 3, 2020

Achillea – Plant of the Week (12th July)

Achillea are a long flowering plant that provide a pop of colour. They are a perennial so they die down each year and come up again the following season. They are especially good for pollinators with small mouth parts as their nectar is easy to access. Continue reading “Achillea – Plant of the Week (12th July)”

July 5, 2020July 17, 2020

Rose – Plant of the Week (5th July)

Roses are one of the quintessentially English plants. They evoke a romantic mood in any garden and have long been associated with love. In fact, they are the most popular flower to be used in wedding flower arrangements. They looks stunning in the garden and many have a beautiful scent accompanying them. Continue reading “Rose – Plant of the Week (5th July)”

July 1, 2020July 4, 2020

Success With Growing Tomatoes From Seed

Growing tomatoes from seed is so simple and deliciously rewarding! Even having just one or two plants will guarantee you some fruits throughout the summer and there are so many varieties to choose from, ranging from tiny mini cherries up to giant beefsteak. Continue reading “Success With Growing Tomatoes From Seed”

June 29, 2020June 30, 2020

Honeysuckle – Plant of the Week (28th June)

Honeysuckle is a plant that I grow for its scent rather than it’s looks. However, as a climber it is useful to cover a fence or wall with pretty flowers, and foliage that lasts throughout the seasons. Traditionally used in cottage gardens, they evoke a romantic feel in a garden. Continue reading “Honeysuckle – Plant of the Week (28th June)”

June 24, 2020June 30, 2020

5 Best Veg for Beginners

Having tried to grow various types of fruit and vegetables from seed, I’ve discovered some that are more “user friendly” than others. Here, I’ll outline the ones that I consider to be almost foolproof! Continue reading “5 Best Veg for Beginners”

June 21, 2020June 30, 2020

Pelargonium – Plant of the Week (21st June)

You know it’s summer when the Pelargoniums are out! For me, they are the quintessentially British Summer bedding plant. There was a time when they fell out of fashion and were seen as dowdy or garish, but there is a such a variety that you’re sure to find a pelargonium that suits you and your garden. Continue reading “Pelargonium – Plant of the Week (21st June)”