Out & About Summer 2019

Out&About lifestyle

Go wild with these new single variety wildflower collection from award winning eco outfit Seedball. The new Poppy, Oxeye Daisy and Cornflower tins are packed full of British native wildflowers that are easy to grow and great for the environment attracting bees and butterflies to the garden. Made from clay, peat-free compost, seeds and chilli powder, seed balls have their own mini ecosystem, protecting seeds from birds, ants and slugs and giving them the nutrition they need to get a head start and germinate easily. Simply throw the seed balls onto soil or compost in a garden bed or planter, water well and watch them germinate. Each Seedball tin contains 20 seed balls RRP £6 Information on the complete Seedball wildflower and edible range and stockists is available at www.seedball.co.uk

Summer garden activities for the whole family

Plant a vegetable garden Having your own vegetable garden is not only good fun, but one of the best ways to introduce new veggies to fussy eaters. Prepare some space in an existing flower bed or create a whole new vegetable patch to watch your crops grow. Did you know that old grass cuttings make great compost? Add a thin layer of grass cuttings straight over the top of the soil in your vegetable bed to improve soil quality and increase your yield. Make a bee hotel The hardworking bee is any keen gardener’s friend. There are several types of bees and not all live in hives, so be kind and make them a lovely place to rest to encourage them to come to your garden to pollinate your plants. You can easily build one from a mix of wood, hollow reeds, bamboo canes or other textured materials such as pinecones and sticks. It is fun and easy to make and can be built in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit any garden. Remember to locate your hotel somewhere sheltered, ideally in a south or easterly direction to keep your flying friends warm. Find and press flowers Finding and pressing beautiful flowers is a great way to preserve their beauty and turn them into something that can be enjoyed all year round. Pick your flowers and press between two absorbent pieces of paper, then flatten with a heavy book. Garden games What better way to bring the entire family together than through some fun garden games? We all have a favourite, but whether it’s a game of rounders, football, croquet or something entirely different, be sure to prepare your lawn ahead of time so that your grass is of the right height and texture for the game you’re playing. Best way to do this is through regular maintenance and mowing.

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O&A SUMMER 2019