Archive | October, 2011

Clocks back ready for brrrr winter

29. October 2011

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We might get an extra hour in bed tonight but it will be getting darker earlier tomorrow and possibly much, much colder. Weather forecasters are warning that the UK may suffer from the coldest Winter in decades. Here are some suggestions from the RHS on how to prepare your garden for the next few dark and frosty months.: […]

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Exotic garden video warms longer nights

29. October 2011

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If  you are dreading the shorter days and longer nights that always seem to begin with the changing of UK clocks this evening, try watching this inspirational video. The stunning visuals combined with dreamy music will help you drift off to a far away tropical island. – even though it was shot in Norwich during October at Will Giles Exotic Garden […]

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October warms records and flowers

28. October 2011

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The Met Office have announced that this October looks set to be one of the warmest on record in the UK. Figures from 1-25 October reveal that parts of the country have seen temperatures up to 3.1 °C warmer than the 10.2 °C long-term average for the month. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/archive/2011/october-2011-so-far Great news for many gardens where unseasonal flowers are still brightening […]

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7 billion world population v water usage

28. October 2011

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The UN is set to announce that the population of the planet has now reached seven billion people. But will this number continue to rise in future years – and if so, what could this mean http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-15445092 Water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century, […]

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Bananas bed down for winter

27. October 2011

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  The weather is changing into wetter, windier weather here in the South East and its time to think about protecting various tender plants from the frosts and shorter winter days. It seems sad to wrap up my banana plant just as it was getting into a wonderful shape and enjoying the late Autumn sunshine. […]

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TED talks gardening

25. October 2011

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One of the exciting developments on the internet is the growth of sites where individuals present radical ideas for changing the world or give thought provoking speeches that might inspire others to change the world. Some of the best are to be found at TED Talks which are now  creating innovation and change via TED, a nonprofit organisation devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. http://www.ted.com/talks […]

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Climate change sceptics challenged

22. October 2011

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The world is getting warmer, countering the doubts of climate change sceptics about the validity of some of the scientific evidence, according to the most comprehensive independent review of historical temperature records to date. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, found several key issues that sceptics claim can skew global warming figures had no […]

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Confused plants and seasons

21. October 2011

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Took this photo in Russell Square in central London today which clearly shows the confused seasons. The summer geraniums are still flowering beautifully whilst the leaves  are turning a lovely Autumn colour . If you want to catch some gorgeous late flowering Exotic plants visit Will Giles garden in Norwich this Sunday 23rd October for his final 2011 open day […]

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BBC Autumn plants and wildlife

17. October 2011

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The South East of England had another wonderful weekend with loads of sun and lovely warm temperatures These photos were taken at 4pm yesterday in my Eastbourne garden after a day surrounded by butterflies, bees and birds with many spring bulbs starting to show their heads at the same time that my tomatoes are still ripening  – weird weather or as […]

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English wineries enjoy huge harvest

14. October 2011

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This years looks set to be a bumper harvest for English wine producers.The copious late autumn sunshine and a growing season that continues to lengthen means in scenes replicated across all wineries in England, the industry is continuing to harvest its largest ever annual crop of grapes. Blessed by warm, dry weather during the vital flowering period at the […]

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