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IT’S around now that a lot of gardeners are planning big changes to their outside spaces.
But did you know that there’s laws, rules and regulations around what you can and cannot have outside?
You can be fined hundreds to thousands of pounds, and even be told to rip down your latest installation if it breaks planning laws.
Here’s a few helpful tips to keep you on the right side of the lawn - just make sure you check your local regulations.
Gardening expert Allan Jeffrey at Ultra Decking told me: “If your decking is higher than 30cm above ground or covers more than 50 percent of your total garden space, it’s likely that you need planning permission.
“Garden buildings can transform your space but certain areas have restrictions on the size and location of these buildings - so check before you build.
“It all depends on the size of your pond, but larger ones with deep excavation may need permission. You also need to consider how close to a boundary or other building your water feature is.”
He added: “There are also regulations on how high treehouses can be, how close they are to boundaries and other properties, and whether they will cause any damage to trees.”
I’ve also discovered planning permission is needed if you wish to erect or add to a fence, wall or gate where: it would be over one metre high and fronting a road used by vehicles, or over two metres high elsewhere.
If a window has received light for more than 20 years then it is against the Rights of Light Act to plant a tree and block it.
Trampolines should not be placed anywhere that people using them can see into neighbours' gardens or homes when they are bouncing - because it is an invasion of privacy. And you could land yourself a £500 fine.
It’s a criminal offence to allow a non-native invasive species to spread into the wild - which carries penalties of hefty fines.
Any sign of Japanese Knotweed and it will affect the sale of your house and your mortgage. And there’s a ban on growing giant hogweed, Green Alkanet, Broad Leaf Dock, Rhododendron Ponticon and Himalayan Balsam.
And never, ever, remove an active bird's nest.
The theme for the 2024 National Gardening Week - which starts on Monday through to Friday, is ‘Knowledge is Flower.’
All week, experts at the RHS will be on hand myth-busting, debunking and demystifying the wonderful world of gardening.
From how to avoid common pitfalls with your plants, to dig or not to dig, fertilise or not fertilise and whether vinegar makes good weedkiller – the RHS has it covered.
The week begins with the RHS Big Seed Sow where thousands of packets of free seeds will be on offer with tips on how to grow them, and with experts, friends and show-class growers sharing their top tips and myths throughout the rest of the week.
For more information on events, and ideas on what you can do at home, visit www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/national-gardening-week
THE Prime Minister's garden at Downing Street will join over 100 unique places, not normally open to the public, taking part in London Open Gardens weekend on June 8 and 9th.
This annual event supports the charitable work of London Parks and Gardens to protect the capital’s city parks.
Tickets for two tours on June 8 at Downing Street, as well as various other gardens in London, will be issued through a random public ballot system.
Visit https://londongardenstrust.org/log2024 for more information. The Downing Street ballot is open until midnight on May 7th
The British Beekeepers Association has launched an app to help track the dangerous yellow-legged Asian Hornet wreaking havoc across Britain. Download the Asian Hornet Watch app to report sightings. Visit www.bbka.org.uk for more information
Time to deadhead your tulips.
Simply nip off the seedhead in order to save the plants energy.
Leave them to die back naturally to give them more of chance of returning next year - and you can give them a cheeky feed with something like Tomorite to help them for next year.
Now is a good time to paint your fence - and black or dark grey is the new trend.
It really invigorates the wood and makes your flower colours pop.
Get your hedges in order (first checking for birds nests) with this swanky Stiga hedge trimmer for £169
Or try the Argos version for just £35.
PROTECT your precious plants with a collection of beneficial nematodes from Nemasys.
Three winners will get one box of Nemoslug, one Fruit and Veg, one Leatherjackets, one Ants and one Vine Weevil - in a prize totalling £69.95.
For extra details and to enter, visit www.thesun.co.uk/NEMASYS or fill in this FORM
Or write to Sun Nemasys competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP.
Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 23.59GMT 11.05.24. Full T&C's HERE
Q. We have lots of Camelia blooms but they are now turning brown,what can be causing this? John Odell, via email.
A. Usually frost is the culprit - especially if it’s followed by direct early morning Sun.
But if you haven’t seen any of that recently, it may be due to underwatering when the buds were forming - make sure they get plenty of water in late Summer and early Spring.
If its flecks of brown it could be Camelia Flower blight or grey mould.
Make sure you dispose of the fallen blooms, don’t compost them.
