Now is the time many gardeners are planning big changes to their outdoor spaces.
But did you know that there are laws, rules and regulations about what you can and cannot have outside?
12
12
You could be fined hundreds to thousands of pounds and even be told to destroy your latest installation if it breaks planning laws.
Here are some helpful tips to keep you on the right side of the lawn – just be sure to check your local regulations.
Gardening expert Allan Jeffrey at Ultra Deck told me: “If your decking is more than 30cm above the ground or covers more than 50% of the total space in your garden, you are likely to need planning permission.
“Garden buildings can transform your space, but certain areas have restrictions on the size and location of these buildings – so check before building.
“It all depends on the size of your lake, but larger lakes with deep excavations may need a permit. You also need to consider how close your water feature is to a boundary or another building.
He added: “There are also regulations about how high tree houses should be, how close they are to boundaries and other properties, and whether they will cause any damage to trees.”
I have also found that planning permission is required if you wish to erect or add a fence, wall or gate where: it would be more than one meter high and front a road used by vehicles, or more than two meters high in another place.
If a window has received light for more than 20 years, it is against the Light Rights Act to plant a tree and block it.
Trampolines should not be placed anywhere where people using them can see into neighbors’ gardens or houses when they are jumping – this is because it is an invasion of privacy.
It is a crime to allow a non-native invasive species to spread throughout nature – which carries penalties of heavy fines.
Any sign of Japanese Knotweed will affect the sale of your home and your mortgage. And there is a ban on the cultivation of Giant Nuts, Green Alkanet, Broad Leaf Dock, Rhododendron Ponticon and Himalayan Balsam.
And never, ever remove an active bird’s nest.
12
FLOWER POWER
The theme for 2024 National Gardening Week – which starts from Monday to Friday, is ‘Knowledge is Flower’.
Throughout the week, experts from RHS will be available to destroy myths, debunk and demystify the wonderful world of gardening.
From how to avoid common pitfalls with your plants, to dig or not to dig, to fertilize or not to fertilize, and whether vinegar is a good herbicide – RHS has it all covered.
The week kicks off with the RHS Big Seed Sow, where thousands of free seed packets will be on offer with tips on how to grow them and with experts, friends and class growers sharing their top tips and myths throughout the rest of the week. .
For more information about events and ideas about what you can do at home, visit www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/national-gardening-week
12
WITH CLOSED DOORS
The Prime Minister’s Garden in Downing Street will bring together more than 100 unique venues, not normally open to the public, that will take part in London Open Gardens weekend of June 8th and 9th.
This annual event supports London Parks and Gardens’ charitable work to protect the capital’s city parks.
Tickets for two tours on June 8th of Downing Street, as well as several other London gardens, will be issued through a random public voting system.
Visit https://londogardenstrust.org/log2024 For more informations. Downing Street voting is open until midnight on May 7
12
FOLLOW THE KILLER WASP
The British Beekeepers Association has launched an app to help track the dangerous Asian yellow-legged hornet that is wreaking havoc across Britain. Download the Asian Hornet Watch app to report sightings. Visit www.bbka.org.uk For more informations
12
THIS WEEK’S WORK
It’s time to get your head out of your tulips.
Simply cut the seed to save the plants energy.
Let them die naturally for a better chance of returning next year – and you can give them a cheeky feed with something like Tomorite to help them next year.
12
THIS WEEK’S TIP
Now is a good time to paint your fence—and black or dark gray is the new trend.
It really invigorates the wood and enhances the colors of the flowers.
12
TO SAVE!
Get your hedges in order (first checking for birds’ nests) with this swanky Stiga hedge trimmer for £169
12
Or try the Argos version for just £35.
12
TO WIN!
PROTECT your precious plants with a collection of beneficial nematodes from Nemasys.
Three winners will receive a box of Nemoslug, a fruit and vegetable, a leather jacket, an ant and a vine weevil – for a prize totaling £69.95.
For further details and to take part, visit www.thesun.co.uk/NEMASYS or complete this FORM
Or write to Sun Nemasys Competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.
Include your name, age, email or phone number. UK residents aged 18+ only. Ends at 23:59 GMT on 05/11/24. Full T&C HERE
12
LEARN!!
P. We have lots of camellia flowers but they are now turning brown, what could be causing this? John Odell, via email.
A. Frost is usually to blame – especially if it is followed by direct morning sun.
But if you haven’t seen any of this recently, it could be due to underwatering when the buds were forming – make sure they get plenty of water in late summer and early spring.
If there are brown spots, it could be camellia flower rust or gray mold.
Be sure to discard fallen flowers, do not compost them.
12
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
