Category: News

News from 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.

Challenge David to plant weird and wacky containers!
I’m always telling people to have fun with their containers. So, live on stage at this year’s Ideal Home Show, I’m putting my money where my mouth is!

I will be taking part in a daily challenge creating beautiful displays of plants – in weird and wacky containers. And the best bit? YOU get to choose them for me! The funnier and crazier the better!

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Tyre plant containers! Got a better idea?

Think of any object that can hold a plant, and tweet me your suggestions. It could be:

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_checklist icon=”star” iconcolor=”darkgreen” circle=”no”]
- Something found in your kitchen, like pans and teacups
- A piece of furniture
- An item of clothing or footwear
- Something found in your recycling bin, like tins and bottles
- A musical instrument
- Something found in your shed, like a BBQ or a toolkit
- Something found in your bathroom (including the furniture)
- Something full of holes (make it as difficult as possible!)
- Basically, everything up to and including the kitchen sink!
[/fusion_checklist]

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

A wicker cot! Can you do better than this?

Send me your suggestions with the hashtag #IdealChallengeDD now!

[fusion_button color=”darkgreen” size=”large” link=”www.twitter.com/daviddomoney” target=”” animation_type=”flash” animation_direction=”up” animation_speed=”0.5″]Tweet Now![/fusion_button]

I will then plant up as many of your suggestions as possible in five minutes in front of a live audience at the Ideal Home Show, all while presenting tips and advice on how to choose exciting planting combinations and recycle unwanted objects as plant containers.

[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Want to see me plant a fuchsia in a hat? Get on Twitter!

See times and dates of performances here.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
March 5, 2014
David promotes front gardens on the Alan Titchmarsh Show

[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” 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=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ 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=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][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=””]

I spent a fantastic day on March 7 on the Alan Titchmarsh Show with Alan and the other guests, including the Doyenne of musical theatre – Elaine Paige!

I was on the show to share my tips on making the most of your front garden with just a few quick and easy tweaks. I also got the chance to join the other guests and try an easy Pad Thai recipe and chestnut ice cream plus a selection of wines and beers on the show (and I loved every minute of it!).

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” 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=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” align_self=”flex-start” border_sizes_undefined=”” first=”true” last=”true” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]

Behind the scenes at ITV studios

Find out about my national campaign for front gardens!

Many people have to keep their wheelie bins in their front gardens, but that doesn’t mean it has to be an eyesore! Try covering it in adhesive vinyl to camouflage it – you can get flower and ivy patterns.

Another great idea for front gardens is to use container planting. This gives you the freedom to grow plants without having to tend to beds!

My top tip for having the best containers on your street is to change their contents with the seasons! That way you’ll always have lovely, colourful flowers to greet you when you get home.

For great containers now, fill with narcissi and skimmias. Always put more plants in containers than you think they need – they should look full and overflowing!

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” 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=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” align_self=”flex-start” border_sizes_undefined=”” first=”true” last=”true” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]

Getting the narcissi ready behind the scenes

TIP: Visit your local garden centre regularly to see what is in flower now. This also works if you ever find a bare patch in your garden – head to the garden centre and buy something that is currently in flower to plug the gap and get year-round colour!

You can also plant fruit in your front garden – try trailing strawberry plants in hanging baskets and flowering quince bushes. Then you can have beautiful front gardens AND free jam!

To attract more wildlife into your front garden, install a bird bath, but remember to regularly put fresh water out for the birds!

And why not go the whole hog and decorate your door too! Get textured doorknobs and fun knockers – try a pine cone, a squirrel or the classic woodpecker. You can even get a doorbell that tweets like a bird!

Create a front garden that puts a smile on your face every time you come home. If this lot doesn’t work, try this Alan Titchmarsh doormat!

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” 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=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” align_self=”flex-start” border_sizes_undefined=”” first=”true” last=”true” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_text]

This would make anyone smile!

I hope this show has been a little taste of what is come on this year’s Love Your Garden series. Follow me on Twitter for behind-the-scenes access as filming gets underway.

Thinking of entering Cultivation Street? Sign up for our newsletter and receive all the latest news, advice and exclusive offers direct to your inbox![/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
March 4, 2014
Garden Re-Leaf Day at Millbrook Garden Centre

[fusion_builder_container type=”flex” 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=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ 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=”true” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text]

Garden Re-Leaf Day is the garden industry’s version of ‘Sports Relief’ and ‘Comic Relief’ to raise funds for charity. This year the nominated organisation is Greenfingers, the nationwide charity dedicated to building gardens in children’s hospices around the UK. The money raised from the event will go to its Rosy Cheeks Appeal, which aims to raise £750,000 over two years to fund the creation of at least ten more unique children’s hospice gardens.

To support the initiative this year, David ran a competition offering to give up his time at a lucky garden centre giving expert talks to the visitors. The contest was won by Millbrook Garden Centre’s Gravesend branch, which will host the special event on Sunday 16 March.

At 11am and 2.30pm, David will be giving talks on therapeutic gardening and creating a sensory, stimulating garden that encourages wildlife to flourish. He will also do walking talks of the garden centre’s new, award-winning wildlife area, which includes a wildflower meadow, bird hide and insect hotel.

Tickets to the talks cost £5, which includes a free goody bag filled with exclusive giveaways including free tickets to the Ideal Home Show, an Ernest Charles seed blend from Gardman and a Watering Starter Kit from Hozelock.

There will also be a raffle to win a Beckbury three seat wooden bench by Hartman worth £249.99! It’s ergonomically designed for comfort and made from weatherproof hardwood that can be left outside all year round – perfect for our British climate!

At 12pm David will run an interactive children’s workshop with planting activity for kids and parents to get stuck in. Tickets for this are priced at £2.50.

Millbrook also hopes to inspire children to get involved with the Rosy Cheeks Appeal, and is running a competition asking local schoolchildren to suggest ideas that they would like to see in a garden for sick children.

At the end of the day, at around 3:15pm, David will announce the winners of the children’s competition and the raffle draw.

Places are limited so don’t delay! Tickets must be booked in advance by telephoning 01474 331135 or ask a member of staff at Millbrook.

Get involved, have some fun and let’s raise plenty of money for a very good cause!

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
March 4, 2014