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Tag Archive: Plants

Our Guide to Planting Spring Bulbs
August 10, 2022 1:38 pm Leave a Comment
Our Guide to Planting Spring Bulbs
By Rachael – Content Editor
Published August 2022

When should you plant spring bulbs?
It might seem odd to be thinking about next year’s garden already, but spring bulbs are actually best planted in the autumn. Planting them earlier allows the roots to establish over the coming months, which encourages healthier growth.
Time to get planning
Take a moment to think about where you would like to plant your bulbs for a start. Then it’s time to consider the varieties of flowers you want to grow, and the colours.
If you need some inspiration, here are our favourite springtime flowering species:
Hyacinths
One of my personal favourites, hyacinths produce the most marvellous blooms. Full of fragrance and rich in colour, they can liven up any flower bed or border. You can find varieties in a wide range of colours, and the best part – you can even grow them in pots on your windowsill.
Alliums
Can you believe these beautiful buds are actually ornamental onions? With tall stems and pops of colour, usually purple, they are perfect for placing at the back of your flower beds. An eye-catching addition to any flower display, and beautiful as a cut flower for springtime bouquets.
Daffodils
One of the most common signs that spring is here, is the timeless daffodil. Whilst the traditional yellow variety is always a winner, there are hundreds of varieties to choose from. You can also consider the miniature versions, which look particularly dainty and elegant in window boxes.
Tulips
Ranging from vibrant colours to pastel shades, there is a lot of choices available for a tulip bed. These stunning flowers are very eager to get growing, be sure to keep them cool when in storage. Tulips are best planted in mid to late autumn, and they love to be planted in groups.
Crocus
Planting Crocus bulbs in the garden is a great way to invest in long-term blooms. They spread easily and come back year after year, reminding you that spring is on its way by adding an early pop of colour to the garden. Rich in nectar, they will provide a delicious early spring feast for pollinators.
Fritillaria
Sometimes referred to with the playful name “Pineapple Lilies”, Fritillaria are perfect for adding a touch of the exotic to your garden. Ideal to plant alongside other spring flowering bulbs, they can put on a vibrant display. When purchasing your bulbs, try to seek out the largest bulbs where possible, as they will produce stronger plants.

Things to remember when planting spring flowering bulbs:
– Some species, such as Hyacinths and Tulips, will need to be planted out in the garden after their first year in a container.
– Daffodils will happily grow in containers for many years.
– If using containers, make sure to always add drainage holes to avoid water logging.
– When choosing your bulbs, find packets which state they are grown from cultivated stock.
– If growing in containers, make sure they are 30cm deep and plant the bulbs deeper than you would in the garden.
– Make sure your soil is of ample quality, it can be topped up with some nutritious compost if needed.

Pop down to your local QD store to see our current range of bulbs, we have plenty available at great value prices.

Find more advice and ideas below:
Gardening Products | Garden Advice | Back to Home

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How to Start Your Indoor Vegetable Garden
August 3, 2022 9:12 am Leave a Comment
10 Amazing Tips On How to Start Your Indoor Vegetable Garden!
Guest Blog – By Tony Manhart
Published August 2022

In this article, we will give you tips on how to start your indoor vegetable garden. Tomatoes, aubergines, and peppers, for example, require a longer growing season. Most gardeners plant the seeds for these veggies inside in the spring to improve overall growth.
Starting your own seeds not only saves money over buying transplants but also promises a more profitable harvest season. It’s also a fun and fulfilling way to start the gardening season!
Discover our great range of vegetable seeds online here.
Tips for Starting Your Indoor Vegetable Garden

Tip #1: Buy your seeds from a trusted vendor
Fresher, higher-quality seeds have a greater germination rate (meaning more sprouts), giving you an advantage in growing tasty, healthy veggies.

Tip #2: Pot with the seed-starting mix
Although these mixtures do not contain any actual soil, they are perfect for sprouting seedlings. They also provide an excellent combination of drainage and water-holding capacity, as well as preventing disease troubles in vulnerable seedlings. If possible, avoid using garden soil while starting seedlings indoors.

Tip #3: Check for drainage holes in your containers
You may use recyclable pots, such as empty yoghurt containers, but make sure to drill drainage holes in the bottom so your seedlings don’t get too wet. Plastic flats and six-packs are also great options since you can reuse them year after year. You can use biodegradable pots as well.

Tip #4: You should plant the seeds at the right depth
Planting depth should be determined by the seed packaging. You don’t need to be perfect with your measurements, but make sure you don’t plant any deeper than the recommendations say. Plant the seed two to three times as deep as it is wide, according to the rule of thumb. Tiny seeds, for example, should be barely covered with soil mix, but big seeds, such as beans, should be planted approximately an inch deep.

Tip #5: Set the pots in a warm spot after sowing
Ideal areas are frequently on top of the refrigerator or near a radiator. Check your pots for signs of improvement every day!

Tip #6: Keep the seed-starting mix wet at all times
Both air and water are required for the roots of the seedlings. Keep the mixture humid but not covered by water.

Tip #7: Place the pots in a bright position when the seedlings appear
A sunny window would work, but if you can use extra fluorescent lights to provide steady light will bring the best outcome. Suspend the lights an inch or two above the plants’ heads.

Tip #8: Seedlings like a cool indoor temperature
If you can find a cooler room in your house, or you can use your garage, while still having a good light source, it will help the seedlings thrive.

Tip #9: Begin with weekly fertilization
Once your seedlings have one or two pairs of leaves, use a half-strength fertilizer. Organic fertilizers are a fantastic option since they supply a variety of nutrients as well as micronutrients.

Tip #10: Trim the seedlings once they have two pairs of leaves
You only want to maintain one seedling per container, so pick the healthiest, most strong seedling. Cut the other seedlings at the soil line and throw them away.

Take a look at our variety of salad seeds here.

What is the Best Fertilizer for Your Vegetable Garden?
You are asking yourself what is the best fertilizer for your vegetable garden? – We made a list for you, so keep reading to find out!

The compost tea
You can purchase compost tea or make it home for your veggie container garden. Compost tea is prepared by brewing the beneficial microbes that have been formed in a compost heap. It’s an excellent all-natural vegetable fertilizer!
Eggshells
Eggshells are a fantastic organic fertilizer for container veggie crops! It’s free, nutrient-dense, and simple to use! Plant cell walls are strengthened by the calcium carbonate in eggshells, while photosynthesis is boosted by magnesium.
Worms
Worm faeces is one of the most low-maintenance fertilizers you can use in your container veggie garden! You can start your own earthworm farm and gather your own.
Final Words on How to Start Your Indoor Vegetable Garden!
In conclusion, growing a vegetable garden indoors is quite similar to growing one outside. With our simple indoor vegetable gardening tips, you’ll be well on your way to a rich harvest even without leaving your home!

About the Author
Tony Manhart is the founder and editor-in-chief at Gardeningdream. Tony’s enthusiasm and rich experience in all things related to growing plants have led him to share his knowledge with gardening aficionados all over the world. When he is not working around his garden, Tony spends his time writing tips and tricks on various subjects related to plant cultivation and soil maintenance.

Find more advice and ideas below:
Seeds | Plant Care | Summer Inspiration | Back to Home
Top Tips for Garden Watering
July 26, 2022 2:19 pm Leave a Comment
Garden Watering Top Tips
By Rachael – Content Editor
Published July 2022

Staying hydrated is just as important for our plants as it is for us. Watering your garden regularly, and correctly, will ensure that it flourishes throughout the year. It can be tricky keeping up with a watering schedule, but we have put together some top tips to help you:

Use lots and less often
It may seem back to front, but plants do not follow the rule of ‘little and often’. Instead, give your plants a thorough soaking, then leave them longer in between watering. It’s important to let the soil dry out to avoid things like root rot.
Concentrate on the roots
Water around the bases of your plants where possible, as this will help the water to soak down through the soil and reach the roots. Try not to create large pools of water, as your soil may become waterlogged and suppress the oxygen supply to your plant.
Make a full circle
Whilst sticking to the roots, make sure to reach all sides of the plant to avoid uneven root growth. Covering all areas will ensure the plant absorbs as many nutrients as possible and creates a well-balanced root system.
Slow and steady
Be sure to apply the water slowly and carefully. Depending on the moisture level, it can take a little while for the water to absorb into the soil. If you pour on the water too fast, it will just run off.
Leaf them alone
Avoid getting the leaves on your plants too wet, as this can make them prone to leaf-mould diseases and burn marks.
Time it right
The ideal time for watering your garden is later in the evening, or early in the morning. When the temperature is cooler, the moisture can get deeper into the soil before it evaporates.
Store and recycle
If you haven’t already got one, investing in a water butt can save you a great deal of money over time. Not only will it collect rainwater that can be reused, but you can keep it topped up as well. We empty our paddling pool into ours throughout the summer, as well as any receptacles that have gathered water during rainfall.

Find more advice and ideas below:
Watering & Irrigation | Garden Advice | Gardening Equipment | Back to Home

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The Easiest Plants to Grow Indoors!
June 14, 2022 8:54 am Leave a Comment
The Easiest Plants to Grow Indoors!
Guest Blog – By Tony Manhart
Published June 2022

If you are looking for the easiest plants to grow indoors, you are at the right place! When spring finally arrives, everyone wants to start growing their own plants.
But in most cases, your backyard doesn’t have enough room to grow a full garden, and you don’t have the time to grow your food in pots. This year, start planting indoors! You’ll have the ability to grow a large variety of plants in small pots—no matter where you live.
What is The Easiest and Fastest Plant to Grow Indoors?
There are many easy and fast indoor plants that can grow. Among them, there is the cactus plant, which is also known as the Christmas cactus plant.
They don’t need to be watered regularly. The cactus plants don’t need to be fertilized. All they need is some sunlight and good soil.
What are The Easiest Indoor Plants to Stay Alive?
There are many different types of plants that are easy to care for. One of them is the spider plant, which has thin, green stems, the other is the philodendron plant. There are many others, but those two are the most popular.
How to take care of the snake plant
Snake plants are easy to grow and require very little water. They also do well in cool and damp locations. The leaves of snake plants need sun, but only if it’s bright and warm. If the leaves are placed in direct sunlight, they will burn.
They are easy to grow in containers and many gardeners will take a snake plant outside for a bit of fresh air in the summertime.
How to take care of the philodendron plant
Philodendrons are some of the easiest indoor plants to keep alive. They don’t require much water or light, and they do pretty well without fertilizer, according to the experts. As long as you don’t give it too much light or too much water, the philodendron will do fine.
Some useful tips:
– For instance, the philodendron needs high humidity, the use of a humidifier will help you maintain the required humidity.
– Another thing that you should consider is the temperature. Some plants like warm temperatures, while others like cold temperatures. It is important to find a combination of high humidity and cool temperatures so that your plants can grow well.
– Make sure that you rotate the plants around and find the best spot for them. You can put them on the bottom of a shelf or near a window.
– It is also a good idea to change the soil or fertilize it regularly. If you don’t, the plants will be weak and unhealthy.
The Easiest Tree To Grow Indoors
The dwarf fig tree grows quickly indoors. They can be brought into bloom within two to three years. If you start them from seed, expect to wait between six and nine months until you see the first fruit.
Some plants start producing fruit in as little as three months, while others take three to four years to flower. The dwarf fig tree tends to be very small and not especially sweet. But you don’t need a dwarf fig tree to enjoy the delicious flavour of fresh fig.
Which Indoor Plants Grow in a Week?
Indoor plants are one of the best ways to beautify your home. Many of them require very little maintenance and are easy to care for.
You should never give it more than six hours of direct sunlight a day. However, you will have to watch it carefully and keep an eye on it because it can become root bound if you don’t.
Some of the best indoor plants include:
– Peace lily
– Pothos
– Spider plants
– Boston fern
– Philodendron
– Rubber plants
Final Words on Easiest Plants to Grow Indoors!
In conclusion, it’s important to understand the importance of hydration when planting your indoor plants. Many indoor plants will die in low-light situations unless the soil gets plenty of light and water. In fact, the best place to get a decent amount of light is on a windowsill.
There is a lot to know about growing plants indoors, and it’s good to have an idea of what you’re getting into before you go ahead and get started.

About the Author
Tony Manhart is the founder and editor-in-chief at Growertoday. Tony’s enthusiasm and rich experience in all things related to growing plants have led him to share his knowledge with gardening aficionados all over the world. When he is not working around his garden, Tony spends his time writing tips and tricks on various subjects related to plant cultivation and soil maintenance.

Find more advice and ideas below:
Lifestyle Advice | Summer Inspiration | Back to Home
5 House Plants to Love This Summer
May 6, 2022 11:58 am Leave a Comment
5 House Plants to Love This Summer
By Rachael – Content Editor
Published May 2022

Summer is the season when plants are thriving and everywhere looks green and fresh. Why not bring that feeling indoors and fill your home with vibrant greenery this summer? House plants not only look beautiful but can lift your mood and improve the air quality in your home.
Enjoy that summer feeling indoors
Breathe some fresh life into your home with a selection of house plants. There are plenty of species which are super low maintenance and will flourish throughout the year. We have put together a list of our five favourites this summer.
Improve air quality by adding a succulent plant
Jade Plant – Crassula Ovata
Succulents are well known for being low-maintenance varieties of house plants. Jade plants are a beautiful variety and enjoy the warm and dry conditions of our homes. Easy to care for, they only need to be watered once the soil feels dry to the touch. Make sure the plant pot has plenty of drainage holes and use a succulent or cacti potting mix to provide them with the optimal nutrients.
As well as looking beautiful, jade plants can improve the air quality in your home and increase humidity, making them a great addition to your bedroom.
Fun fact: Jade plants are sometimes referred to by the nickname “money plants” as they are seen as a sign of luck and prosperity.

Add a tropical touch with an Areca Palm
Areca Palm – Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Graceful and eye-catching, these plants make an elegant feature to any living space. Whilst they are a more high-maintenance indoor plant, we believe they are worth the effort. Take the time to research how to care for your Areca Palm and be sure that you can offer it the right environment (we recommend this guide by Gardeners’ World). They prefer a warm, humid environment and need regular care.
Not only do these palms look stunning, but they are capable of removing pollutants and toxins from the air.
Fun fact: The Areca plant is native to the Madagascan tropics and is often referred to as a “Bamboo Palm“.

Variegated leaves make this plant a stunning feature
Philodendron White Wave – Philodendron martianum
With glossy, leathery leaves that are packed full of colour – we love this decorative variety. Philodendrons are fast-growing house plants that love a humid environment. The White Wave variety requires brighter lighting than its relatives due to the variegated leaves. Once the soil feels dry to the touch, give it a good soaking and let it drain, keeping the roots constantly moist without making them waterlogged. They prefer a warmer room with high levels of humidity, making them perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
Philodendrons are excellent at filtering airborne toxins and purifying the air. Make sure to keep them out of reach of pets and children, as they are toxic when ingested.
Fun fact: You cannot find a striped White Wave Philodendron in nature, as it has been bred specially to look beautiful in our homes.

ZZ Plants are brilliant for Feng Shui
ZZ Plant – Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Super popular with little maintenance involved, the ZZ plant is perfect for beginners. They are tolerant of most light conditions, except deep shade. Keep them in a pot with plenty of drainage holes and allow the top 5cm of soil to dry out before watering.
ZZ plants are excellent for Feng Shui, virtually impossible to kill and even help purify the air in your home – what’s not to love?
Fun fact: Although they are healthiest with regular watering, the ZZ plant can survive drought conditions – so you won’t need them to be watered if you go away on holidays.

Macrame plant hangers make perfect homes for Monsteras
Swiss Cheese Plant – Monstera adansonii
Tropical in origin, the Swiss cheese plant prefers bright and indirect sunlight and a humid environment. If you have any indoor hanging baskets or macrame plant hangers, they would be ideal spaces for a Monstera plant. Keep their soil moist without being soaked and be sure to add plenty of drainage holes.
Studies have shown that live plants such as Monsteras can help to lower stress levels and improve our ability to focus. Why not add some swiss cheese plants to your home office or reading corner?
Fun fact: This variety of Monstera gets the nickname “Swiss cheese plant” because of the holes in its leaves which resemble the holes in Emmenthal cheese.

House plants will improve the air quality in your home, but most importantly they make your environment more attractive and relaxing. Treat your home to some new leafy friends this summer and transform your living space.

Find more advice and ideas below:
Lifestyle Advice | Summer Inspiration | Back to Home
It’s Time to Celebrate World Planting Day
March 20, 2022 1:00 am Leave a Comment
World Planting Day – Get Growing With Us
By Rachael – Content Editor
Published March 2022

Spend time connecting with nature on World Planting Day, the 21st of March, and get growing. It’s officially springtime now and there is no better time to start planting!
What does World Planting Day celebrate?
World Planting Day is on the 21st of March and was created to raise awareness of the benefits of plants, and encourage people to plant more. You can choose to honour the day in any way you wish, but if you are not sure where to start, read on to discover some great ideas.

Try growing your own delicious salad seeds.
Grow your own summer salads
The earlier months of the year are perfect for starting off seeds indoors. Most vegetable and salad seeds love being in a nice warm environment and will get the best start in life this way. Once your seedlings are big enough, they can be transplanted into the garden in pots, planters or straight in the ground.
No matter the size of your outdoor space, there is something everyone can grow. You can even grow tomatoes and peppers on your windowsill! Impress friends and family over the summer with a homegrown side salad for your family BBQ.

Our garden plants are perfect for beds and borders.
Brighten up your borders
Annual bedding is a beautiful way to add colour to your patio or garden. Window boxes and hanging baskets can be brought back to life with some fresh additions. You should start to see bedding plants arriving in stores soon and they are an inexpensive way to create an impressive floral display.

Find everything you need to get started here.
Grow together
Gardening is a fantastic way to not just connect with nature but to connect with loved ones too. Planting something new together is an exciting and rewarding activity for all ages to enjoy. Whether you are planting seeds, bulbs or new shrubs – enjoy watching them grow together.

We think these are perfect for pots.
Primp your pots
Give planters and pots a makeover with some fresh florals. If you have a smaller garden space or patio, pots are a brilliant way to add colour and texture. Flowers and shrubs should have no problem growing in large pots, but you can even grow certain types of trees! Perhaps you’d rather turn your patio into a potted vegetable patch? Create a space to grow delicious fruits and vegetables to enjoy later in the summer.

Root for trees!
Planting a tree will provide your garden with heaps of benefits, and also help the local wildlife. They will take a longer time to grow but can become part of the family over the years. Why not start your own orchard at the bottom of the garden with some fruit trees? It’s always a good idea to check local council guidelines on trees before deciding which ones to plant.

Alexa, water the plants
Don’t forget your houseplants! World Planting Day is a great opportunity to remind us to check in on our indoor plants. Make sure your houseplants have ample room in their pots, a good way to tell is to look at the roots to see how established and compacted they are. Treat any squashed plants to new containers and top them up with some fresh, nutritious compost.
Give them a little trim up and make sure their needs are being met. If you haven’t got any yet, why not treat yourself to a new houseplant to celebrate the occasion?
Spending time planting will help to give your well-being a little boost, as being close to nature is good for our moods. Go on, be brave this World Planting Day and try growing something new.
Visit your local QD for more inspiration.

Tag Archive: Plants

Our Guide to Planting Spring Bulbs

Our Guide to Planting Spring Bulbs

How to Start Your Indoor Vegetable Garden

10 Amazing Tips On How to Start Your Indoor Vegetable Garden!

Tips for Starting Your Indoor Vegetable Garden

Top Tips for Garden Watering

Garden Watering Top Tips

The Easiest Plants to Grow Indoors!

5 House Plants to Love This Summer

5 House Plants to Love This Summer

It’s Time to Celebrate World Planting Day

World Planting Day – Get Growing With Us