Jobs in the Garden November

Now is the time to be stocking up on bird food for the coming months as stocks of natural foods such as (berries and seeds) may be getting low if the weather has been cold.

You can now plant out bare root trees and hedging plants as well as new raspberry canes.

It is still not too late to feed the lawn with an Autumn feed and remember to keep lawns and pathways clear of fallen leaves.

Introducing Mimi and Bo.....

Mimi and Bo is an online boutique based in Bathgate, West Lothian.


Owned by Maureen Weir, it has a very distinctive relaxed country style that takes inspiration from a mixture of Scandinavian and New England design.


Here at the Mill Garden Centre we are delighted to stock a selection of Mimi and Bo home wares range. You can expect to find products by many popular brands including Greengate and House Doctor from Denmark who are a regular feature in glossy magazines such as Country Living and Ideal Home.


Take a look at the GreenGate paisley storage tin at £9.99 (above) - not only practical but pretty, this tin would be a lovely way to present a home baked Christmas gift.

Other products include glass tea light holders, festive candlesticks and pretty plants pots.

Crab Apple Jelly......

In stock just now we have this delightful Malus Golden Hornet Crab Apple Tree.

Crab apples are great for making jelly as they are an excellent source of pectin. Jelly can be used to compliment meat and cheese dishes. Here's one we made earlier.......


Crab Apple and Mint Jelly

4kg crab apples
1kg caster sugar
Handful of chopped mint (try Indian trailing mint or Pineapple mint - both stocked at the Mill)
Juice of one lemon

Wash the fruit, discard any bruised or damaged fruit. Place in a pan, cover with water and bring to the boil or until the fruit is soft.

Place the cooked fruit inside several layers of muslin and allow to rest over a bowl or pan overnight. This will allow the juice to seep through the muslin cloth, you should be left with a lovely clear juice.

Add the caster sugar to the fruit liquid (10 parts liquid to 7 parts sugar), add the juice of one lemon.

Bring to the boil until all the sugar is dissolved.

Continue to boil the liquid with care for approx 40 minutes, skimming away the froth from the top at all times.

When the mixture has reached setting point, it will solidify on the back of a chilled spoon or on a plate. At this stage -add the finely chopped mint then pour into sterilised preserving jars and seal. Store in a cool dark space until ready to eat. Enjoy!

As an alternative, why not try substituting the mint for chopped red chilli?

Gingko biloba......

Introducing the Gingko biloba tree.......

We are proud to have grown this exceptional tree from seed here at the Mill Garden Centre as it has been give the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

These images were taken two weeks apart, the top image today where it shows stunning yellow leaves, the latter showing pretty mid green foliage intricately shaped.

Gingko Biloba can grow up to 25m high by 8m wide. Known as the Maidenhair tree, it is a suitable specimen tree for large gardens.

Very Berry.....

This Skimmia Reevesiana has an abundance of vibrant red berries at this time of year which last throughout autumn and winter. This hardy plant thrives in shade or partial shade and likes well drained soil.

Now in stock at www.millgardencentre.co.uk priced £19.85

Potty About Colour......

There is still lots of colour to be had in the garden, even though the temperatures have dropped and the frost is starting to show itself.

These pretty pots are filled with a variety of ornamental kales, diascas, pernettya mucronata and ivy.

Here at the Mill, we sell ready filled pots and baskets all year round, as well as filling to your requirements, why not pay us a visit www.millgardencentre.co.uk

Ornamental Kale

We have some very attractive ornamental kale in stock at the moment.

These look great planted straight into the ground or in pots to create a stunning display.

Available in white and purple varieties and at just £2.65 make a perfect alternative to a bunch of flowers.

Jobs In The Garden...October

During October we see a huge change in the garden. With the temperature dropping and the winds picking up, now is the time to be clearing leaves from lawns and pathways.

You could also think about planting out some spring bulbs, whilst the ground is still reasonably warm, and planting fruit trees and bushes.

Any tender plants should be protected and moved.

An autumn fertiliser for the lawn is essential to strengthen the roots over the cold months and prepare for a perfect lawn come spring.

After The Rain.....

These are just a couple of images taken today in Joe's garden after the rain. These fuschias line the side of his house and look truly stunning! I love the aged look of the bird bath, especially filled with rain water.....

Peacock Butterfly....

Last week we we able to catch a photograph of this pretty Peacock butterfly in the Garden Centre, milling around the flowers in the sunshine. It's favourite flowers are Budleja and Lavender.

Caterpillars of this variety of butterfly love munching on sting nettles!

Peacock butterflies are believed to be able to live up to eleven months and takes its name from the bird Peacock due to its markings.

Scented Display....

Potting loose Hyacinth bulbs is a great way to create a stunning and fragrant display both indoors and outdoors.

In stock just now we have loose Hyacinth bulbs in Delft Blue, Yellow City of Haarlem, Janbos, Red and Pink Frosting.

Although these will not bloom for a few months, planting them now (up until mid October) in peat (for indoor use) then storing in a dark place for a few weeks will ensure you give them a head start. You should ensure that they are kept in the dark until green shoots appear, then transfer to a COOL room with lots of light. Transfer to a warm room once flowers begin to appear - perfect for Christmas.

Indoor Hyacinths will make a great gift and look great in glass bowls, vintage dishes and terracotta pots alike!

For planting outside - hold off until mid October (no later than mid Nov) then plant approx 8 inches apart and 2-3 inches deep. These will flower in the Spring.

Campanula Kent Belle

We love this Campanula hybrida Kent Belle we have in stock just now. It has the most beautiful large violet-blue bell-like glossy drooping flowers with medium green leaves. This stunning plant has been given the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Perfect for adding a dash of colour and interest to the garden.

Good Enough To Eat.....

One of the things we pride ourselves on here at the Mill is the amount of homegrown stock we produce. In stock just now we have some of the most fragrant Rosemary, you really would have to smell it to believe it!!!

We have Rosemarinus Green Ginger from £6.95 for a 3 litre pot - it has a wonderful aroma of rosemary mixed with ginger and Miss Jessops Upright from £6.35 for a 3 litre pot.

Rosemary is so easy to grow and both varieties can be used in cooking.....perfect with roast chicken and wild garlic!

Dry Stone Wall and Archway

The dry stone wall and archway that Richard Love has been creating for us, here at the Mill in our Dell Garden, is now complete.

Richard has worked hard over the past few weeks, to create this stunning feature which blends into the landscape. We are delighted with the result and lucky to have had such a skilled and experienced dry stone waller to put our ideas into something solid.

The next stage is to have a custom made gate created......

Wildlife Garden

A mix of Budleja and Lavatera would fit in perfectly within a Wildlife Garden.

Recently we helped out a local school with their Wildlife Garden Project. Why not read more about it in this West Lothian article:-

http://www.westlothiancourier.co.uk/2010/07/08/pupils-enjoy-green-party-62405-26804149/

Dry Stone wall Progress

We are aiming to create an arched dry stone wall entrance here at the Mill. This stunning feature will be the entrance to a new area. Richard, an expert in dry stone walling, has been working hard over the past week and has made great progress....these images were taken earlier today.

Dry Stone Wall

Dry Stone Cone Feature

Based on the site of an old Mill, we naturally have lots of stone around, of all shapes and sizes. We are extremely lucky to know Richard Love, who is an expert in the art of dry stone walling.

Over the years Richard has worked on various projects for us, creating walls and features that enhance the ambiance down here at the Mill, and form a practical and attractive solution.

Past projects include building various retaining walls and this stunning cone feature that sits proudly in our decking.

Currently, Richard is working hard creating a new dry stone wall and arch for the bottom of our north facing Dell Garden. Over the next while, we will be documenting the progress, so keep an eye out for more news......