It’s here! National Gardening Week has arrived once again, so what are you up to this week?

It’s the ideal time to get outdoors and start planting your annually-blooming flowers. We’re talking Sunflowers, Poppies, Pansies, Bizzie Lizzies, Marigolds, Zinnias and Begonias! They’ll brighten up your garden and, even if it’s not the hottest day ever, make it seem a little less gloomy than it is.

Today is a lovely day here at the G2U HQ; sun is out… sort of… not a cloud in sight! Unless you look out the window… No! It’s quite a nice day, enough to get outside anyway. We might even plant our Stripy Giant Sunflowers today that we gave away for FREE a few weeks ago. Have any of you sown yours yet? How are you getting on?

One thing a lot of people forget is that Gardening is not just a hobby, not just something you do if there’s nothing on the telly. It doesn’t just make your garden look a little bit nicer and a little bit brighter. It is fantastic for the environment too! Plants are part of a huge ecosystem which includes bugs, birds, more plants and even us humans. Without plants we could literally not survive, so get outside and save the world! Okay, it’s not quite that dramatic, but studies do suggest that marine greenery produces up to 70% or the worlds oxygen, the rest created by land plants.

So how can you help?

Well, just by planting a few species of flower in your garden, whatever they might be, you can help keep things healthy. Not only that, but you’ll also have found yourself a new hobby each year, and each evening when you’re outside watering and weeding. Gardening is relaxing, it’s good for the soul.

So! If you don’t want to get into your garden and sort out that Winter’s mess now… when will you?!

See you outside!

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Well, the Hosepipe Ban has kicked in and stopped a reported 20 million people from watering their gardens with a hose!
If you have a rainwater collecting Water Butt, it might not be a problem for you, but with the ban lasting all summer, will you have enough to last?

We guess not. That means hundreds of plants withering in the heat, reduced to crispy brown remnants of their former glory. So what can you do to keep your plants going? We’ve put together some useful tips for you to keep that garden blooming, even without constant watering.

• First of all, try to collect rainwater as often as possible to prevent the need to tap into precious tap water.

  You can buy simple Water Butts which either attach to your guttering or have a funnel in the top. You can pick these up from most outdoor retailers, garden centres and some councils supply them for free. Check with your to find out.

• Rainwater is better for your garden!

  Drinking water/tap water has been treated and all its chemicals and garden-friendly nutrients removed for general consumption by humans, so using the natural version falling from the sky might help your garden to flourish and grow more lavishly than it would have before.

• Don’t overwater!

  Avid gardener’s will already know this, but too much water can damage plants. They can drown in the same way as any other living thing, so only water them when they look like they need it. Again, rainwater will replenish your plants for longer, meaning less regular watering.

Follow these tips and your garden should be as good as new, albeit without as much water as you might like.

Just remember: stick to the hosepipe ban and who knows; we might not have one next time year!

This week we offered a FREE Packet of Seeds to our customers at www.gardens2you.co.uk with every order and to fans of facebook.com/gardens2you.

The question is.. who can grow the tallest sunflower?

1ST PRIZE!
£100 to spend at Gardens2you

3 Runners Up!
£50 each to spend at Gardens2you

Firstly grow the special seeds from gardens2you.co.uk
When you think your sunflower is tall enough – Take a photo and measure it from soil to the highest point!
and upload it to our wall at www.facebook.com/gardens2you 9 don’t forget to include the height in your post!

or email it to us at
competitions@gardens2you.co.uk your name, age, phone number and sunflower height.

The rules
In order to qualify you must include:

the whole sunflower in your photo
the person who grew it holding the sign sign that was sent with the seeds
Your sunflower must be grown in 2012 using the special gardens2you seeds only.

You can be any age to enter the competition but you have to be a resident within the UK
Failure to comply with any of the rules may result in your entry being disqualified.
By entering this competition you agree for your photo and name to be used on gardens2you’s facebook page and gardens2you.co.uk

Closing date for entries is 20th September 2012 (23:59:59 gmt)
Winner Announced on 27th September via Facebook.com/gardens2you & Gardens2you.co.uk

www.gardens2you.co.uk offers a unique range of ornaments & accessories for your garden delivered direct to your door.

Just back in stock our exclusive Nosey Neighbour ornament makes the perfect gift for your garden or someone you love…or even your nosey neighbour!

Made from coloured resin this nosey man would look great hidden amongst plants & pots around the garden. He is also frost & weather resistant which makes him perfect to use outside!

Sure to bring a smile to your face everytime you see him!

Just arrived these great gift idea gardening gift sets are perfect for Birthday presents or dare I say Christmas presents…it’s not long!

From Sting In The Tail a UK based company, these gardening gift sets are perfect for garden lovers gifts. Each includes high quality items in great looking packaging so we know your going to love them!

One of our favourites at the moment is the Allotment Gift Kit, perfect for all the allotment lovers out there as growing your own is very popular at the moment this will make a great gift idea.

Great Gift Idea This Allotment Gift Set Is Perfect For Growing Your Own Lovers!

Check out our full range of Gardeners Gift Ideas in store for some helpful ideas for thouse hard to buy for people!