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<p>We are open every day through lockdown as an essential retailer.</p>

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<p>Prep for a productive year in the garden.</p>

Keep up the gardening 2021

Growing plans

<p>Easy-to-grow, with showy early flowers and lush evergreen leaves - Camellias are a winter wonder!</p>

Camellias for winter colour

<p>5 for &pound;10 on 9cm bulbs including crocus, narcissi, tulips and more!</p>

Bulbs 2020

Potted bulbs for fast-track colour

<p>Delivery to your front door&nbsp;when you spend &pound;30 or more. Bulky items? We can deliver your gardening project.</p>

Free local delivery

Free delivery within 3 miles!

Welcome to Ashtead Park Garden Centre

Bulky items?

Winter showstoppers

Potted Bulbs for instant results!

The Olive Tree

Pack Bedding

Mix and match 9cm tete-a-tetes, iris, muscari, tulips and more!

Potted bulbs for Spring colour!

Plant Support

Daily Seed Blend 
Buy one get one Free
Feed the birds! 
A great, versatile seed mix to be used in feeders, on tables or from the ground.

Birdseed

<p>This month, as part of <strong>Veganuary</strong>, many of us are trying to adopt a more vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. To help, we’ve put together a few tips on being more vegan in the way we garden.</p>

<p>This month, as part of <strong>Veganuary</strong>, many of us are trying to adopt a more vegetarian or vegan lifestyle. To help, we’ve put together a few tips on being more vegan in the way we garden.</p>
<h2>What is Veganuary?</h2>
<p>Veganuary&nbsp;is the world's largest vegan movement, inspiring people to try vegan for January and throughout the rest of the year. Try a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle this month and help mother earth. Eating vegetarian or vegan isn't too difficult. Read our tips to start this year healthy. Can you hold on to your New Year's resolutions?</p>
<h2>Tips for vegan gardening</h2>
<p>Vegan gardening is about growing plants without the use of animal products and chemicals. It involves learning to live with garden pests like slugs and insects rather than reaching for the pesticide bottle and making choices that are good for the environment as a whole and our gardens. Becoming a vegan gardener doesn’t happen overnight, but here are a few ways to start.</p>
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<p><strong>Let a part of your garden go a bit wild</strong>, and you’ll reap the benefits of the wildlife that will soon arrive.&nbsp; Long grass provides a habitat for insects, shady, damp log piles encourage frogs, and hedges bring in birds and even hedgehogs, which all do their bit to keep pests like slugs and aphids under control.&nbsp;</p>
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<p><strong>Grow some of your own food</strong>. Having a vegetable patch helps, but it’s surprising how many plants can be grown in small spaces. Beans, peas, tomatoes and even dwarf fruit trees can be grown in pots, and salad leaves will thrive on a sunny windowsill, as will many herbs. The best thing about growing your own food is that you really know exactly what’s gone into it.</p>
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<p><strong>Make your own compost</strong>. Get a compost bin or use pallets to build your own, and add your garden cuttings and vegetable scraps – obviously no dairy or meat products, though. Add some torn-up cardboard to aerate your compost and give it the right balance of carbon and nitrogen.</p>
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<p><strong>Learn to live with garden pests</strong>. Plant young seedlings out later so they’re less attractive to slugs and protect them with copper tape.&nbsp; Invest in nets or barriers to protect plants from cabbage white butterflies, carrot flies and hungry birds. And consider planting more than you need, so you can afford to lose a few plants.</p>
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<p><strong>Don’t use animal manure for fertilizer</strong>. Instead, feed your soil by sowing green manure crops like clover and digging the plants back into the soil to break down. Practice crop rotation to avoid depleting soils, and mulch with your own compost, if you have enough.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>To <strong>make your own high-potassium liquid plant food</strong>, fill a bucket with chopped up comfrey leaves, top it up with water, put a lid on and leave it for 2-4 weeks (best to put it far away from the house - it smells!) Strain out the leaves, dilute the black liquid from 1 part comfrey tea to 10 parts water, and feed tomatoes and other fruiting plants.&nbsp;</p>
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</ul>
<p>Whether you’re new to gardening or an old hand, you’ll find everything you need in our centres, so visit us and get your gardening year off to a great start.</p>

Get into Veganuary: Vegan gardening tips

<p>Know <strong>how to get through this Blue Monday</strong> to make sure that you thrive forward into the year without feeling low on the saddest day of the year. The third Monday of January every year is named Blue Monday because it is at the point of the month where the festivities have ended, it’s cold outside and new years resolutions have been broken. But, by doing one or all of the below activities, you can get through the day without feeling blue.</p>

<p>Know <strong>how to get through this Blue Monday</strong> to make sure that you thrive forward into the year without feeling low on the saddest day of the year. The third Monday of January every year is named Blue Monday because it is at the point of the month where the festivities have ended, it’s cold outside and new years resolutions have been broken. But, by doing one or all of the below activities, you can get through the day without feeling blue.</p>
<h2>Forest bathe to get through this Blue Monday&nbsp;</h2>
<p>No matter what the weather is like, wrap up warm and put your wellies on to go for a walk. Make sure you wander amongst the trees, absorbing the oils omitted and the fresh air all around. Don’t forget to look up at the canopy and appreciate the magnificence of trees. As your forest bathe, you should feel your stress levels lower, anxiety decrease, and ready to enjoy the day.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Get through this Blue Monday and sow some seeds</h2>
<p>Growing flowers and cultivating your own food brings not only a great deal of joy but also so much hope. When times can be tough, sowing seeds gives you something to look after, be responsible for and have hope for the future as you nurture and watch your seeds grow. Why not try sowing some microgreens for a quick and satisfying turnaround. You’ll have nutritious plants on your plate in as little as ten days to three weeks.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Be creative and get through this Blue Monday&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Have you wanted to get your hands on a creative project? Why not start today. Try colouring books or sketching. Try out different pencils, colours, glitter and paper. Why not let your inner artist out and get everything down on paper. Spend some time just doing that craft project you’ve meant to try for ages.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Get through this Blue Monday and treat yourself&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Now the Christmas tree is down, why not fill your room with plants. Houseplants bring so much joy, from the responsibility of looking after something, to the aesthetically pleasing aspect and the toxins cleaned from the air, they give so much. So why not treat yourself to a new houseplant of your dreams? That glossy leaf Monstera, the large Orchid you’ve been looking at or the tiny succulents for an indoor planter. Plants bring so much joy!</p>
<h2>Be proud of your yourself to get through this Blue Monday&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Remember that new years resolutions get broken and don’t be hard on yourself about it. Be proud of all that you have achieved and all that you will achieve in the future. Don’t be hard on yourself; give yourself a big well done!</p>
<p>Treat yourself to a new plant in store, or just come and take a look around to help you get through the day.&nbsp;</p>

Get through this blue Monday

<p>Are you looking for a <strong>big houseplant to substitute your Christmas tree</strong>? When it is the end of the festivities and time to take your Christmas tree down, space can look a little bit bare. So why not replace the Christmas tree with another plant that will last all year, plus brings you a lot of joy, is aesthetically pleasing and even helps clean the toxins' air. A total win-win situation. Here are our top 6 for you to fill that empty space with.</p>

<p>Are you looking for a <strong>big houseplant to substitute your Christmas tree</strong>? When it is the end of the festivities and time to take your Christmas tree down, space can look a little bit bare. So why not replace the Christmas tree with another plant that will last all year, plus brings you a lot of joy, is aesthetically pleasing and even helps clean the toxins' air. A total win-win situation. Here are our top 6 for you to fill that empty space with.</p>
<h2>1. Fiddle leaf tree (Ficus lyrata)</h2>
<p>The giant green leaves of the fiddle leaf can look fantastic in any home. It is known to be tricky to keep on thriving but with just a few ‘know how’s’ it is actually quite easy. Its natural habitat is hot and humid with rainfall that soon dries out afterwards. Make sure it gets plenty of bright sunlight, water it when the soil is dry and keep it in the spot is it happy.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>2. Swiss cheese plant (Monstera)</h2>
<p>After it’s popularity in the 1970s, the Monstera has made a huge big comeback, and there is no wonder why. Big, interesting, stunning foliage, long stems and easy to propagate - the Monstera can grace a corner with ease. Pot it in a big pot to match your colour scheme and enjoy watching it grow.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>3. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia)</h2>
<p>Bring a tropical feeling to your empty space and fill it with a stunning bird of paradise. Make sure it is in a sunny spot and be patient. It can take years for it to bloom, but when it does, it will be so worth the wait!</p>
<h2>4. Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)</h2>
<p>Growing up to 8ft tall in a home environment, the big glossy leaves bring a real touch of class to a room. Watch the leaves as they open and make sure you don’t overwater it, which is the main point of care for the rubber tree. It can cope well in low levels of light but don’t move it around too much.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>5. Dragon tree (Dracaena)</h2>
<p>An easy to care for plant that looks like a palm tree in your room. It is a lovely plant to fill a space and grows tall with little help but possibly some support if it gets big. Bright, indirect sunlight is preferred, and to stop it growing too tall. You can cut off the top and grow that in a pot of well-drained soil for another plant.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>6. Snake plant (Sansevieria)&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Also known as the Mother in laws tongue, the Sansevieria is a tall, slim and architectural plant that grows just about anywhere, even in very low light levels. With minimal water needs or care in any way, plus it will be clearing the air of common toxins.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Check out our houseplant collection in store to bring new life to your home for the new year. We are pleased to welcome you to our garden centre. Our staff is always willing to help and gives you excellent advice about watering, light, and location.</p>

Top 6 big houseplants to substitute your Christmas tree

<p><strong>January is Walk The Dog Month</strong>.&nbsp;But if you have a dog, you already know you have to walk it every day, so what’s new? Well, it turns out Walk The Dog Month is also a great way to get your own New Year off to a good start. Not only your dog needs a daily walk, but you should also reach the 10.000 steps a day! Want to know how? Here are a few ways to turn walking your dog from a chore into a treat.</p>

<p><strong>January is Walk The Dog Month</strong>.&nbsp;But if you have a dog, you already know you have to walk it every day, so what’s new? Well, it turns out Walk The Dog Month is also a great way to get your own New Year off to a good start. Not only your dog needs a daily walk, but you should also reach the 10.000 steps a day! Want to know how? Here are a few ways to turn walking your dog from a chore into a treat.</p>
<h2>Get the walking habit</h2>
<p>Were you one of the thousands of us who made a New Year’s resolution to lose weight or get fitter? The good news is, your dog can help you to achieve this resolution. Walking your dog every day forces you to get into the habit of walking yourself. And research says that if you do something regularly for three weeks, it’s much more likely to become a habit, so by the time February comes, you’ll have got both yourself and your dog into a good place for the coming year.</p>
<p>Being outdoors is an excellent mental health tonic, especially at this time of year. Take the opportunity to de-stress, get some perspective and enjoy watching for the first signs of spring to appear.</p>
<h2>Why dogs need regular walks</h2>
<p>Like us, dogs can easily put on weight over Christmas, with all the little treats, we slip them and have less chance to get outside and exercise. Obesity can be a serious problem for dogs, causing a range of health problems, including arthritis and breathing difficulties. Lack of exercise can also cause behavioural problems, leaving dogs bored and under-stimulated. Getting your dog out for a good walk every day can really help with their general fitness and behaviour.</p>
<h2>How to make walks fun for you and your dog</h2>
<p>If you and your dog both enjoy your daily walk, it’s much easier to make it a habit. These tips will help to keep things fun for both of you.</p>
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<p>Your dog needs to know you’re in charge, so walk confidently, and train them to walk beside or just behind you, not ahead, and without pulling on the lead. Reward good behaviour with treats.</p>
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<p>Take a leaf out of your dog’s book and practise living in the moment, appreciating the sights, sounds and scents around you as you walk.</p>
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<p>Leave all your screens at home and enjoy a dose of real life. Walk with a friend and spend some quality time catching up in person. Walking a dog is also a great way to get to know other people in your neighbourhood and bond over dog stories.</p>
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<p>Change your route occasionally to stop it getting boring. Investigate new paths and explore your neighbourhood.</p>
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<p>Dogs need to stay hydrated, even in cold weather, so give them plenty to drink before and after walks. On long walks, take a travel bowl and a bottle of water with you.</p>
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<p>For all those little treats, toys and extras that make taking care of your pet even more rewarding, visit our centre where you’ll find everything you need.</p>

Get into Walk The Dog Month this January

<p>Get ready to <strong>make your own plant hangers</strong> and welcome even more plants into your home and garden. There are many ways to enjoy plants, and if you are running out of room in your house or outside, it is time to think vertically. Look up and see where you can hang plants from and then get creative with these ways to make your own.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Get ready to <strong>make your own plant hangers</strong> and welcome even more plants into your home and garden. There are many ways to enjoy plants, and if you are running out of room in your house or outside, it is time to think vertically. Look up and see where you can hang plants from and then get creative with these ways to make your own.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Get a macrame kit and make your own plant hangers&nbsp;</h2>
<p>There are many macrame kits available in shops and online that include all of the materials and instructions you need to make a great plant hanger. You can also choose from the size according to your plant pot and the colour of the materials used. It can be quite calming and therapeutic to make, and you’ll be satisfied that you made it all yourself.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Use a clothes rail to make your own plant hangers&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Clothes rails don’t have to be just for clothes! A metal rail can be a great way to show off your houseplants and hang plants in pots from. Standing in a bedroom or your living room it can be an interesting and striking feature and a great way to display and enjoy your plants.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Make your own plant hangers for outside&nbsp;</h2>
<p>It’s not just houseplants that can take up lots of room, but if you want to fill up your outside space with more plants as well, you can use walls and fences to hang up baskets and fill with your favourite plants. Get creative and make plant hangers from recycled materials you have in the home or garden. Otherwise, grab a new hanging basket and use that instead!&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Different ways to make your own plant hangers&nbsp;</h2>
<p>A great idea for using inside or outside is to make your own plant shelves that you can hang your macrame hangers and other creative hangers from.</p>
<p>Make six thin wooden shelves of equal length, and attach them all with rope, so they each hang one under the other with enough space on each shelf to hang your plants from. This can be used outside for displays of plants such as Pelargoniums or a shady spot full of Ferns. Inside, take your pick from your favourite houseplants, especially those that trail such as Tradescantia, Hoya and Pothos.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Whichever you choose, think about all of the different materials around the house that you could use. Can old metal coat hangers be made into plant hangers? What about old belts, ribbons and even upturned pots and upside-down plants. You can make something really special and add a touch of your own personality as well.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Check out our trailing plants in store and find your perfect hanging plants.&nbsp;</p>

Make your own plant hangers

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Melt ice on the garden pond to prevent toxic gases building up underneath. Sit a saucepan of hot water on the top to melt the ice, or float a ball on the water to keep a small area ice-free: never break the ice by hitting it as you could kill your fish with the shock.

Melt pond ice

Vegetables

<p>When you're happily beavering away in the veg garden over summer in %locations%, it can seem like the long days of abundant flowers and fruit will never end. But one day, inevitably, you cut the last pumpkin and pull up the bean plants and it is, undeniably, winter.</p>
<p>There's no need to stop