David Domoney

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A list of blogs from the home page David Domoney. David is a Chartered Horticulturalist with over 40 years of experience growing and caring for plants. David has also worked on UK national television for over 2 decades. As a garden designer, David has won over 30 RHS medals for his garden designs at leading UK gardening shows and events.

  • How to: Plant a shrub in the garden border

    How to: Plant a shrub in the garden border

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    When planting a shrub, the secret is to make sure the ground is properly prepared. This will create the best-growing conditions to make the most of your plant.

    Where?

    First of all, you have to know where to plant your shrub. Different plants prefer different types of soil, lighting conditions and even wind shelter. To identify the best spot for your specific shrub species, check the label or ask your garden centre for advice.

    Once you know your location, clear any weeds. This stops them from taking water and nutrients away from your plant. Pull the weeds out, trying to get as much of the root system as possible.

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    How?

    Dig a hole roughly 20% deeper and wider than the rootball of your shrub. Fork the base of the hole to make the soil light and loose. This is much better than a compact base as the plant can easily grow new roots and get established.

    Then add a few handfuls of compost, which provides a good hit of nutrients for the new plant. You can either purchase compost in the garden centre or use your homemade material.

    This also acts as a base so the new roots of the plant are not hitting tough soil.

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    What next?

    Next, tease the plant out of the pot. Squeeze the sides of the container to loosen the root ball – this helps you slide the pot off more easily. Then stand the plant in the hole.

    The surface of the soil around the rootball should be at the same level as the surface of the soil in the border. Planting it too deep can seriously damage the shrub or inhibit its growth.

    Next, fill in the hole with the soil you excavated. Firm in your plant – I use the heel of my wellies to push it in. Again, make sure that the surface of the plant’s soil is at the same level as your soil.

    Water well. Invariably some soil does settle down into the hole as it becomes wet, you may have a few gaps. Top up with more soil and water again.

    For a tall shrub, I would advise staking it to protect it from the wind. Strong gusts could loosen it and cause damage to the plant’s new roots it is trying to establish. Push the stake into the soil at a diagonal, so you don’t damage the rootball.

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    Planting a new shrub is as simple as that – great results with very little effort!

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” type_medium=”” type_small=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ dimension_spacing_medium=”” dimension_spacing_small=”” dimension_spacing=”” dimension_margin_medium=”” dimension_margin_small=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_medium=”” padding_small=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” hover_type=”none” border_sizes=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”false” border_position=”all” first=”false” spacing_right=”” spacing_left=”2%”][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”false”][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container admin_label=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ padding_top=”0″ padding_right=”80″ padding_bottom=”0″ padding_left=”80″ type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]

    For more garden planting ideas, check out my blog:

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false”][fusion_text]

    Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”false” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true” spacing_right=””][fusion_builder_row_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” 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last=”false” border_position=”all” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false” spacing_right=””][fusion_imageframe image_id=”50523|large” max_width=”” sticky_max_width=”” style_type=”none” blur=”” stylecolor=”” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” borderradius=”” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”none” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” lightbox=”no” gallery_id=”” lightbox_image=”” lightbox_image_id=”” alt=”” link=”” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://new.daviddomoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Fast-growing-shrubs-feature-500×750.jpg[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”30px” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_button link=”https://new.daviddomoney.com/10-best-fast-growing-shrubs-for-instant-garden-impact/” text_transform=”” title=”” target=”_self” link_attributes=”” alignment_medium=”” alignment_small=”” alignment=”center” modal=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” color=”custom” button_gradient_top_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_bottom_color=”rgba(1,149,51,0)” button_gradient_top_color_hover=”#0e540f” button_gradient_bottom_color_hover=”#0e540f” accent_color=”#0e540f” accent_hover_color=”#ffffff” type=”” bevel_color=”” border_color=”#0e540f” border_hover_color=”#ffffff” size=”large” stretch=”yes” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” icon=”” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” border_top=”3px” border_right=”3px” border_bottom=”3px” border_left=”3px” border_radius_top_left=”0px” border_radius_top_right=”0px” border_radius_bottom_right=”0px” border_radius_bottom_left=”0px”]Fast growing shrubs[/fusion_button][/fusion_builder_column_inner][fusion_builder_column_inner type=”1_6″ layout=”1_6″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” 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  • Wildlife garden: step by step guide to making your own insect hotel

    Wildlife garden: step by step guide to making your own insect hotel

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=”” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”2_3″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”false” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true” spacing_right=”2%”][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”10″ bottom_margin=”10″ width=”” alignment=”center” border_size=”” sep_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” icon=”” icon_size=”” icon_color=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” user_select=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” margin_top=”” margin_right=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_left=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_transform=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_color=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_delay=”0″ animation_offset=”” logics=””]

    Insect hotel Your garden could be home to some 2000 species of insect. They are working to pollinate your plants, keep pest numbers down and help the garden ecosystem thrive.

    Many species, including lacewings, ladybirds and solitary bees, hibernate over winter. They also need a safe, dry place to store their eggs until spring arrives.

    But their natural habitat is disappearing, so it is down to us gardeners to provide a home or insect hotel for them. And you can make one using just recycled materials!

    Download my free guide to making all different types of insect hotels!

    Insect Hotel step by step guide

    You can use anything as a container, but here I’m going to show you one I made using the drawers from a little wooden storage unit.

    First, arrange the drawers to make one large container and screw them together. Then paint the wood with fence stain to protect it from rain damage.

    drawers

    For my filling I used straw, card and pampas grass, but there are alternatives. Hollow bamboo canes are ideal while twigs, pine cones and dry leaves will house a huge range of insects.

    Cut out the seed head stems of bamboo and chop them into lengths that fit into your container. They will make hollow cavities that are perfect for insects to use as nesting tubes.

    pampas

    Because they are fluted, you will end up with a range of hole sizes suitable for different species.

    pampas-stems

    [/fusion_text][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” content_alignment_medium=”” content_alignment_small=”” content_alignment=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” class=”” id=”” font_size=”” fusion_font_family_text_font=”” fusion_font_variant_text_font=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” text_color=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””]

    Next, bunch together some pampas grass leaves and cut them into lengths. It helps to hold them together with elastic bands – loom bands are ideal.

    pampas-leaves

    Repeat the process with bunches of straw.

    straw-drawer

    Next, take some thin card, like the inner tube from a roll of wrapping paper. Roll it up and hold in place with elastic bands.

    card

    Try folding the edge before you roll to give a range of shapes and designs.

    card1

    Slot your fillings into the container, making sure to pack them quite tight. Otherwise they will fall out when you hang it.

    Now hang your hotel. It should be about 1.5m off the ground in a sunny, sheltered spot. And just wait for some residents to move in!

    David Domoney insect hotel

    If, like mine, your insect hotel is open-fronted, it may get damaged by heavy winter rain. The contents may rot and kill the insects inside.

    Protect your residents by moving the insect hotel to a cool, dry place over winter – a shed or garage is ideal. Don’t bring the insect hotel into your home – the insects need to be kept cool. Then put it back out in spring.

    Want more information? Read my free guide – full of information about the insects that will use your hotel, plus extra project ideas, from simple to extravagant!

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    For more garden planting ideas, check out my blog:

    [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”false”][fusion_text]

    Or check out my Pinterest board for more ideas:

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  • How to create a fuss-free vertical garden – ITV This Morning

    How to create a fuss-free vertical garden – ITV This Morning

    finished-garden

    I was back on ITV’s This Morning on Thursday with Eamonn and Ruth to show viewers my tips and tricks for great vertical gardens.

    So many of us are pushed for outdoor space, especially if you only have a balcony. So why not grow plants up the walls instead? The shed, garage, side of your house… any space you can find.

    Climbers

    trellis-plant

    One of the simplest solutions is to use trellis to train a climbing plant up the wall. I chose evergreen Jasmine which has a lovely scent and year-round colour. You can even grow it from a pot if you don’t have any soil.

    Gently train tendrils along and through the trellis supports, pointing them in the direction you want them to grow.

    Window boxes

    window-box

    Window boxes are other popular way to grow plants in restricted space. But they don’t just have to be on windowsills – try installing shelves up a wall and put a window box on each one.

    There are loads of things you can grow in them all year round. For autumn, try winter-flowering pansies and flowers like hellebores. You can even grow herbs and winter salad leaves. Mix them with evergreens like ivy and dwarf conifers for structure. Change your plants according to the season, so you always have a fresh and pretty display.

    Plastic bottles

    bottle-garden

    Recycled containers are cheap and easy alternatives to shop-bought pots. Try this cash clever idea by cutting out the top of some plastic bottles and screwing them to the wall. Fill with herbs, alpines, evergreens, bedding plants – anything you like!

    Espalier

    apple-tree

    You can even use walls to grow your own fruit. Espalier is a French technique of training the branches of fruit trees to spread them out flat. They produce a lot of fruit in the summer and autumn, as well as stunning blossom in spring.

    You can buy espaliered trees already trained. Apples and pears are popular choices and they need very little care.

    Watering

    Because the plants in a vertical garden are often in containers, they don’t have deep soil and the roots need help finding water. But if you don’t want to be watering every day, there are shortcuts.

    water-slice

    Try a water slice, which is a disc of polymer that absorbs water like a sponge. Place a few pre-soaked ones in the container base before you plant it up, and they will retain excess water. This is then released into the soil if it starts to dry out.

    You can also stand pots on top of water slices and allow the roots to take up the moisture. Or try adding polymer hydration crystals to the soil before you put the plants in. They act just like a water slice.

    water-spike

    If you’re going away, try a water spike. It’s a nifty little device that clicks into the top of any water bottle. When you turn the bottle upside down and push it into the soil, the spike will release a steady dripping of water right to the roots.

    blank

    If you’ve got a bit more cash to spare, invest in a watering system with an automatic timer. They usually have a pump and a few different hose tubes that are pegged to your containers. This connects to a timer on your tap which does all the hard work for you.

    Now there’s no excuse not to have a vertical garden!