D.T. Brown Blog

Most types of fruit trees flower early, even in a sheltered spot, the blossom can be affected by frost. Once the flowering stage is reached in early spring it is advisable to check the weather forecast daily and, with the exception of the most frost tolerant apples, to have some fleece ready to cover the trees if a damaging frost is likely.

After unpacking, inspect the roots and, if bare root and dry, stand the plants in a bucket of water for up to an hour to moisten the root system thoroughly. Ensure potted trees are well watered.

Onions are one of the most versatile vegetables to grow, able to choose which method best suits your needs. There are many varieties to review when growing from seed with flexible sowing times.

Some seeds are better suited to direct sowing… others require a little nurturing prior to being placed in their final growing space. In all cases it goes without saying, first and foremost read the packet. It will tell you the recommended time to sow and the recommended environment (temperature and spacing etc). It is possible to work around these guidelines, but you may not achieve the best germination and success.

Bulbs and tubers that are not planted at once should be stored in a cool, dry but reliably frost-free place until planting time. Any showing signs of growth are best placed upright in a tray of dry peat or vermiculite so that the developing shoots will grow upright.

Verticillium wilt is a troublesome disease that can cause your crops to wilt and can spread from plant to plant. In our guide, we go into detail about what the disease is, what symptoms there are to look out for and how you can prevent Verticillium wilt from affecting your growing space. So, read on to find out all of our expert advice.

Rust is amongst the most common fungal diseases, and attacks many common garden plants. This disease appears in the form of rusty spots and can affect a plant’s vigour. To find out more about rust on plants, take a look at our comprehensive guide below to find out about what rust disease is and how to best prevent and treat the disease within your growing space.

Keeping your plants free of disease is key to ensuring their continued growth and healthy development. One of the more common diseases that affects plants is powdery mildew disease, which can cause foliage to wither and affect how well plants can absorb nutrients. To prevent this disease from affecting your garden’s plants, read on to find out what powdery mildew is, what the signs of it are and how to treat it.