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Please can I ask you to complete the SCC Community Learning feedback form below. If you have anything you would like to discuss before completing the form please ring Carol Parkes on 07772 273033 or you can email on carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com
The code that you will need to complete this is STMCARE02
https://consultation.staffordshire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/b54e971a/

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Stay informed by joining Let's Talk Staffordshire

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Please take a look at this link, there are lots of garden art projects that you might like to try in the future.

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Taking care of a garden can be an incredibly rewarding practice, soothing away the stress of a long day, and providing a connection to nature that is sometimes few and far between.

But, sometimes in an urban environment having your own garden can become tricky if you lack the proper space. Thankfully, a gutter garden is the perfect solution for people looking to bring nature and growth into their home. It takes up very little space, it's easy to build, and it's one of the simplest gardens to maintain.

Let's Make It

The first thing to do when creating a gutter garden is to create drainage holes along the base. Using a ⅜ inch drill bit, space each hole out by approximately 8 inches from end to end.

The purpose of the nail sleeve is to be a protective cover for your nail as well as a directional guide. Space your sleeves evenly down the length of the gutter, and then position them near the top of the frame spanning the width.

The gutter should be sturdy enough that the sleeves are able to balance snugly across the gap without needing to hold them in place.

Lift the gutter so that it's resting against the outer side of the railing where you want your final gutter garden to be.

For ease of movement you may want to temporarily hold it in place with a string or bungee cord so that you can use two hands when securing it to the rail.

With your hammer in hand, line each nail up with a nail sleeve positioned across the width of the gutter.

Using the sleeves as a guide, hammer the nails through the aluminum frame until it pierces both sides of the gutter and secures itself into the deck railing.

Next, grab your two gutter caps and apply outdoor silicone caulking to the seams.

Affix each cap in place on the opposite ends of the gutter closing off the left and right sides of your gutter garden.

Once the caps are in place, apply another layer of caulking to the inside seams to ensure a solid seal.

Now it's time to add your soil! Using a soil composite recommended for the plants you intend to grow, fill your gutter garden completely.

And we're done! With only a simple gutter and a couple of tools, we've now created the perfect DIY garden for any urban environment!

All that's left to do is show your plants to their new home, then sit back and watch them flourish from the comfort of your own deck chair.

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Taking care of a garden can be an incredibly rewarding practice, soothing away the stress of a long day, and providing a connection to nature that is sometimes few and far between. But, sometimes in an urban environment having your own garden can become tricky if you lack the proper space.

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Please share your photos, top tips, ideas, feedback with us. If you have any difficulty uploading your work please just get in touch with me - Brad Parkes, 07772 273033 or email carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com

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New growth on replanted seeds showing that not overwatering the compost  has helped with germination and early growth

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New growth on replanted seeds showing that not overwatering the compost  has helped with germination and early growth

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Lewis creates a planning drawing of one side of his planter, to use next week as part of his build

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Lewis creates a planning drawing of one side of his planter, to use next week as part of his build

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Sanding rough edges - great attention to detail

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Sanding rough edges - great attention to detail

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The group shared some great ideas today with on-line resources being favourite for finding new ideas and images easily and quickly, especially pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/

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Discover recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and other ideas to try.

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Wind chimes take shape - finishing touches by team

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Wind chimes take shape - finishing touches by team

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Pinching out our Seeet Peas to achieve bushier growth

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Pinching out our Seeet Peas to achieve bushier growth

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Group planting of sweet peas and herbs, some are already showing, some have failed so the group have replanted and looked at what the causes of this might have been.

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Group planting of sweet peas and herbs, some are already showing, some have failed so the group have replanted and looked at what the causes of this might have been.

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Herbs are definitely showing more quickly than the sweet peas, especially Basil which is a really great herb for use in your cooking, and in your garden - if you plant it near other veggies it keeps the flies away!

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Herbs are definitely showing more quickly than the sweet peas, especially Basil which is a really great herb for use in your cooking, and in your garden - if you plant it near other veggies it keeps the flies away!

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Planting seeds and checking on first growth

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Fabulous talk by Severn Trent with so many great ideas from the group to take away and try at home

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Fabulous talk by Severn Trent with so many great ideas from the group to take away and try at home

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Support with water bills and water meter installation from Homes Plus

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Support with water bills and water meter installation from Homes Plus

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0800 0488955

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We used the final version of our group design that Ashe had converted into a clear step-by-step instructions for us all to follow.

We sourced recycled wood, measured carefully and used our skills for sawing and using power tools fixed the wood into place. Really productive first week of build.

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Measuring the growth of our sweet peas and herbs, most have at least two sets of leaves!

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Using your new skills to design and create wooden planters

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Using your new skills to design and create wooden planters

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Working as a team today everyone made a start on their wooden planters which will hold the lovely herb and sweetpea seedlings that they have been growing.

Big thank you to Ashe who digitalised both group designs and made production quick and efficient, also very accurate. Well done all.

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Willow weaving, step by step to make simple garden structures including small obelisk supports for your sweet peas.

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Willow weaving, step by step to make simple garden structures including small obelisk supports for your sweet peas.

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New Health App offers great support with your health and wellbeing

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New Health App offers great support with your health and wellbeing

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You are one click away from hundreds of apps that can help you with your health and wellbeing.

All the apps in your Health App Library have been tested (assessed) by the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA).

Start browsing your Health App Library now by using the search bar at the top. Or click on a category such as sleep, women's health, men's health or mental health.

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You are one click away from hundreds of apps that can help you with your health and wellbeing. All the apps in your Health App Library have been tested (assessed) by the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Apps (ORCHA). Start browsing your Health App Library now by using the search bar at the top.

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What a really enjoyable and fact packed walk, with so much to see and hear, and good to see everyone taking time to socialise and ask questions. Jacqui from the education team was fabulous, and having worked as part of the woodland team for the last 20 years has seen many changes. It was a great opportunity to update on how environmental issues have impacted on the forest, habitat, wildlife and sustainability.

I hope it will inspire everyone to visit again - there are lots of volunteering opportunities too so definitely worth a look, it's a great way to give something back to your community too.

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The Welcome Point at Birches Valley Forest Centre, Cannock Chase has all you need to plan your day out in the forest. Buy your Gruffalo Spotters Trail Activity packs here, find out more about the activities available at Cannock Chase Forest including where to walk, cycle and horse ride.   Educational learning visits are also warmly welcomed at Cannock Chase Forest. With forest rooms for hire, a café and a variety of trails, Cannock Chase is a wonderful setting for groups to get involved in a range of learning activities that combine hands-on education with ideas for active minds. There are a range of learning resources available for both guided visits and self-guided visits and free downloadable resources as well.  If you plan to bring a group to the site, please ensure that you book in advance.

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Plenty of information and choices to make, and some great signage as we wander amongst the forest reminding us all to take our time, listen to the fabulous birdsong and enjoy our special moments amongst the trees.

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Forest rangers work hard to ensure bio diversity going forwards and habitats that work together

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Forest rangers work hard to ensure bio diversity going forwards and habitats that work together

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Jacqui from the Woodland Education team explained how the forest floor is mapped into Metre squares and each square has a detailed record of what is there, whats growing, what's visiting - under and over the ground. It helps the team to plan for future development and to keep a check on things that are outgrowing their space faster than they would like them to be. Managing the needs of all forest users including wildlife, birds, insects, bats, people - walkers, sports and dogs- too is a very detailed and timeconsuming task and takes plenty of time in the planning stages and looking at risk assessments to ensure the safety of all.

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Sustainability - selective harvesting to ensure an income for the forest and habitat regeneration for wildlife too

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Sustainability - selective harvesting to ensure an income for the forest and habitat regeneration for wildlife too

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We saw some beautiful birds visiting the waters edge here, it's a .lovely place to pause for a while and reflect.

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Wellbeing is such an important part of our lives, the forest is a great way to practice our five ways to wellbeing - Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. 

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Wellbeing is such an important part of our lives, the forest is a great way to practice our five ways to wellbeing - Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. 

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CONNECT with your environment and others

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CONNECT with your environment and others

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Forests are such special places for everyone, take your time as you walk, look and listen to everything you can

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Pausing to reflect on the journey - have a look at the link below on forest bathing

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Pausing to reflect on the journey - have a look at the link below on forest bathing

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Thank you for enrolling on your course. I really hope that you will enjoy learning some gardening, woodwork and recycling skills alongside creating some fantastic projects. I hope that you will develop and enjoy your new skills once the course finishes.

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This morning Zoe from Staffs Community Learning and Rachel Bond from Staffs County Council came to talk about VR and AI development and asked us to think of ideas also advantages and disadvantages in everyday life and learning. Learners also had a go on the phone VR to experience job interviews and many other things.

Mags Cole commented: Everyone enjoyed the session as it gave us more knowledge and we all joined in the discussion and gave different ideas as to how we could use AI at CARE.

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The group worked well together as two teams each selecting three different areas of the garden to test the PH of the soil using a variety of different test kits and instruments.

One group also tested the moisture level in the soil - great work everyone.

Results showed that CARE soil in wildlife pool area and allotment was slightly acidic and main garden showed neutral -so great results for growing. There are lots of natural additives we can use to improve/change the PH of our soil too - your worksheet has lots of suggestions you may like to try at home.

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Here is the National Trusts guide to forest bathing.

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Today's busy lives can have a significant impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle for a while, why not have a go at forest bathing? Despite the name you won't need to pack your swimsuit: it simply means the practice of slowing down and immersing yourself in the forest atmosphere.

The science behind forest bathing

Forest bathing or 'shinrin-yoku' was first developed in Japan in the 1980s, following scientific studies conducted by the government. The results showed that two hours of mindful exploration in a forest could reduce blood pressure, lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and improve concentration and memory.

They also found that trees release chemicals called phytoncides, which have a protective antimicrobial effect on human bodies and thereby boost the immune system. As a result of this research, the Japanese government introduced 'shinrin-yoku' as a national health programme.

Forest bathing in the UK

Over the last few years forest bathing has begun to gain popularity in the UK. Many of us naturally head outside as a way to unwind and feel refreshed, but the benefits of nature therapy are also backed up by science: in 2018 academics at the University of Derby found that improving a person's connection with nature led to significant increases in their wellbeing.

Sometimes, a simple walk in woodlands, where you're surrounded by the echoes of calling birds, and that satisfying crunch of fallen leaves and twigs underfoot, is the perfect remedy for reducing stress.

Explore the natural world

From learning how to identify trees to discovering the underwater world of rockpools, pick up some top tips to help you get closer to nature.

Camp under the trees at Brownsea Island, Dorset and uncover the history of the Scouts movement in 'Escape to adventure island'. You can also find more episodes from series seven, filled with nature and history.

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Learn the basics of 'shinrin-yoku', or forest bathing, and discover how slowing down while immersed in nature can help reduce blood pressure and stress levels.

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Please share your thoughts and experiences with Community Learning on AI. As we all work together to keep developing your learning opptunities they are very welcome and help us to shape opportunities to your needs going forwards.

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Some beautiful creative painting for the group  windchime

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Some beautiful creative painting for the group  windchime

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Home learning:  Following today’s visit can you change anything at home to help save water?

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The three A's in dynamic risk assessment are Assessment, Analysis, and Action. These phases involve identifying and assessing risks, analyzing them to understand their potential impact, and then taking action to mitigate or eliminate them.

While the dynamic risk assessment is a valuable tool when the circumstances require, it can't be used as a substitute for a standard risk assessment. These are required by law and there is a set format for putting them into practice.

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A real reminder to us as we have been planting seeds as part of the course just how much impact one small seed can have on our lives!

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A real reminder to us as we have been planting seeds as part of the course just how much impact one small seed can have on our lives!

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Feedback on Learner Forum from Zoe and Rachel

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Feedback on Learner Forum from Zoe and Rachel

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Hi Carol

Thought you might find this useful 😊

I thought the learners said some amazing and profound things which have stayed with me!

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Shaping the windchimes wooden top - good use of PPE - gloves and safe practice with workmate

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Exploring measurements using the rule of thumb

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Exploring measurement using pacing and comparing it to using a metric tape measure. The pacing proved reasonably accurate - but the size of step and of your feet were real variables that could significantly change the results!

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Personal goals are considered and used to decorate some beautiful wooden disks which were firstly cut by the groups

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Great sawing stance and technique for cuttting the wooden discs

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Great work - very evenly measured and cut all the way around, fabulous!

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Correct placement of the saw before cutting to make sure the blade stays straight all the way through is a really important factor

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It always to pays to check the measurements for each one carefully before you begin. Remember to mark top and bottom of the branch you are cutting.

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This 2 minute video explains what AI is and its most common uses that you will have come across.

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This talks you through how to identify your soil type at home so that you can then choose the best plants for that soil.

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How to identify your soil type | Grow at Home | RHS

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Home Learning – Explore different methods of supporting climbing plants in the garden. There are some videos and articles below showing how to make bean/veg frames to help.

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Check on the growth of your Sweet Peas and document the growth on your chart.

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Next week we are meeting at Birches Valley to look at the sustainability of the forest and how the forest can help our wellbeing. There are 5 ways to wellbeing which are

1.     Connect with other people

2.     Be physically active

3.     Learn new skills

4.     Give to others

5.     Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness).

Think about what you like to do to help your wellbeing, this could be going for a walk, gardening, a hobby, exercise, playing computer games? Upload a picture or short sentence to Padlet explaining what you enjoy doing.

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Home learning – Collect a small sample of soil from your garden and bring it into CARE with you next week. If you know the name of the plants in your garden, make a list of some of the plants you have and bring them into CARE next week or upload to Padlet.

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Here is the Royal Horticultural Societies views and advise on using chemicals in the garden

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Here is the Royal Horticultural Societies views and advise on using chemicals in the garden

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They make some very interesting points, have a read

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Accepting and avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies should be the first line of control for the gardener. If chemical controls are used, they should only be used in a minimal and highly targeted way.

Quick facts

Make using garden chemicals your last resort
Looking after your plants well can help you mimise any need for using chemicals
Choose plants that are pest and disease resistent so you don't need to spray
Only buy the products you need to control the problems you have and use the minimum quanity required
Garden centres have trained staff who can help you make the right purchases

My Garden

Your free RHS gardening coach

Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips - all to help you grow successfully

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone's life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.

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Chemicals: using them in gardens / RHS Gardening

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Accepting and avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies should be the first line of control for the gardener. If chemical controls are used, they should only be used in a minimal and highly targeted way.

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The HSE give there advice on use of chemicals in the garden

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The HSE give there advice on use of chemicals in the garden

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Welcome to the garden area of our website. This is where we offer information and advice to those using plant protection products (PPPs), commonly referred to as pesticides, in their garden, allotment, or on their houseplants.

User habits surveys for 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019 indicate that gardeners don't always use, store and dispose of PPPs correctly. If you use PPPs, you are legally responsible for using these chemicals correctly and effectively. We must keep our gardens and allotments safe for people, pets and wildlife.

What are plant protection products?

Whether you are trying to control the weeds growing on your garden path, the slugs eating the lettuces on your allotment or the black spot on your roses, you may consider using a chemical or spray that is classed as a plant protection product. The term 'plant protection product' (or 'PPP') covers a wide range of products, all of which are used to control plant 'pests'.

PPPs include:

weed killers (herbicides)

slug pellets (molluscicides)

fungicide sprays

animal repellents

hormone rooting powders

insecticides

plant growth regulators

lawn sand treatments.

Products used by amateur home gardeners or professional users, such as farmers, to protect plants from pests and diseases or to control unwanted weeds must be authorised or permitted before they can be marketed or used in the UK.

This is because these products contain hazardous substances whose risk to human or animal health or to the environment must be assessed and found to be acceptable before they can be marketed or used.

In addition to PPPs, HSE is also responsible for biocides. These include:

products for algae and snail control in ponds (aquatic algaecides and molluscicides)

fly sprays and ant powder (insect killers and repellents)

fungicidal washes and patio cleaners (surface biocides)

rat and mouse killers (rodenticides)

cat repellents (vertebrate repellents).

You will find details of these products on the biocide pages of the HSE website.

Consider alternatives to plant protection products

Before you buy or use any PPP, ask yourself whether it is really necessary to control the pest, disease or weed and whether there is an alternative to traditional chemical use.

Organic gardening methods are one way that you can reduce PPP use and get nature to help control any pests or diseases. For example, do one or two dandelions or daisies in the lawn mean that the whole lawn needs treatment? Could you remove problem weeds manually by using garden fork instead? Why not remove slugs or snails by hand when they come out at night, or use a physical barrier to discourage them?

The following websites may be helpful in providing information on alternative methods of control to PPPs and encouraging nature to help control the problem:

Which plant protection product can I use in my garden?

Before you buy a PPP, you should check whether you already have some that you can use up.

if yes, read the label and check if the product will control the problem you have.

then use our garden database to check whether your stored PPP can still be legally used.

if the product is not listed on the database it is probably no longer authorised and so will be illegal to use. In this case you will need to dispose of the pesticide safely.

Choosing and buying a plant protection product

If you need to buy a PPP you can check the garden database for a list of products that are authorised for use on particular plants or areas in the garden. Please note that the database does not give details of the pest, weed or disease that each PPP controls.

However, this detail can be found on the product label, or you can usually get advice from garden centres, DIY shops, PPP companies (a list of marketing companies is available on the database), gardening organisations, or you can try www.garden-care.org.uk, or the Royal Horticultural Society.

Never buy more than you will need for one year.

This is because you may end up with PPP that you will have to dispose of if the product is withdrawn and becomes illegal to use. Also, product labels may deteriorate and become difficult to read if containers are kept for many years.

Do not buy PPP from the internet or when abroad until you have checked the garden database to confirm that they are legal to use in the UK.

If they are not authorised in the UK they may not have been assessed for safety to people or the environment. You could face prosecution for illegal use and storage of such PPPs.

Can allotment societies buy in bulk and sell smaller quantities to members?

It is illegal for allotment societies to buy pesticides in larger containers to sell on to members in smaller quantities where the product is put into alternative packaging without the original label. This is for safety reasons as the original packaging will have been assessed for storage of the pesticide and the label for correct instructions on safe use, storage and disposal of the product. Such situations could lead to incorrect and unsafe use, storage and disposal which may affect the health of people and animals and pollute the environment. Allotment societies found to be doing this risk enforcement action being taken against them.

However, buying product in bulk where the product being sold on to allotment society members remains in the authorised packaging with the authorised label is allowed.

Can I use home-made remedies to control pests, diseases and weeds in my (home) garden?

HSE is aware that some gardeners routinely use home-made remedies that are not authorised to control pests, diseases and weeds. In some cases, these remedies are simple physical barriers and are outside the scope of UK regulations. In other cases, these remedies involve the use of chemicals either from foodstuffs, like coffee grounds, or from household products which are not normally intended to be used as PPPs.

Part of the legal definition of a plant protection product takes into account the intended use of the product. For example, garlic extract sold as a foodstuff doesn't require authorisation under plant protection product regulations, but garlic extract sold as an insecticide does. In practice this means a number of own use home-made remedies such as beer traps or coffee grounds fall outside the scope of regulations.

However, this does not mean that use of these remedies including use of common household chemicals as a PPP is without risk or that it is always legal. For example, in circumstances where a home-made remedy was supplied to another user (whether free of charge or not) this may fall in scope of the regulations, and if so would be illegal without an authorisation. In this sort of circumstance, where HSE (or other enforcing authorities) obtain evidence of such a supply or use we would need to consider appropriate and proportionate enforcement action.

HSE's policy on enforcement and the circumstances in which enforcement is appropriate is set out in more detail in our Enforcement Policy Statement.

'Amateur' and 'professional' use

Most of the PPPs that you can use in the home, garden or allotment are approved for amateur use. This means that you do not need specific training to use these products. The label will be worded so that the instructions are easy to follow, to ensure that the product is used safely. These products are most likely to be found in your local garden centre, DIY store or supermarket.

Many other PPPs, such as those used on farms, or in public areas are approved for use in much larger commercial situations. The labels of these 'professional' products can be more complicated, and by law they must be used only by those who have had the appropriate training. Professional products should never be used by the untrained amateur gardener. Someone with the right training can use a professional product in the home, garden or allotment so long as the intended use appears on the label.

For further information on whether you can use professional products in your garden, please check our Frequently Asked Questions on the use of professional products (particularly Question 8).

Volunteer gardeners

An increasing number of members of the public are getting involved with allotment societies or volunteer groups taking on larger gardening projects which may previously have been undertaken by paid contractors. For example, volunteer groups now manage parts of some public parks, take on 'Britain in Bloom' or similar projects and some allotment societies are now responsible for maintaining the whole allotment site rather than just individual plots. These activities span the borderline between amateur and professional uses of PPPs.

For further information about using PPPs when working as a volunteer in parks, gardens, or other areas open to the public, please check the Frequently Asked Questions on the use of professional products (particularly question 11).

Withdrawn garden plant protection products

Each year, manufacturers may withdraw some PPPs used by gardeners for a variety of commercial reasons.

PPPs may also be withdrawn as a result of review by HSE. When a PPP is withdrawn, HSE allows a period of time for the product to be used up safely until a specific expiry date, after which it cannot legally be used. You can check the garden database for expiry dates of products.

However, withdrawn products are often replaced by new ones. In most cases there will be other PPPs available to control a particular problem. Garden centres, DIY shops, or PPP companies can provide information or advice about alternative or replacement PPPs or you can try www.garden-care.org.uk or the Royal Horticultural Society.

PPPs would only be 'banned' if there were serious safety reasons. This rarely occurs now due to the stringent data requirements and authorisation process for PPPs.

How do I use a plant protection product?

Always use PPPs as instructed on the label.

The label will explain how to use the product safely and any special precautions you need to take. For example, you may need to keep children and pets out of treated areas, or you may need to wait for a certain length of time before eating the fruit or vegetables you have treated.

always read the label before you buy the product, and again before you use it

always follow the instructions carefully

where appropriate, dilute the product with water and apply it evenly

Never make up more than you will need on that day.

do not be tempted to add extra product to make it stronger - this isn't necessary and could even damage the plant or lawn that you are treating

for weed killers that you use on lawns, it is particularly important to make sure that you apply the product evenly - too much can damage or even kill the lawn

apply slug pellets thinly to avoid the risk of poisoning wildlife and pets, particularly dogs , as some pellets may be toxic in larger quantities

When the job is finished, always wash your hands before you do anything else.

Storing plant protection products

Always store PPPs in their original containers. This is for safety reasons and is a legal requirement.

After you have used a PPP, make sure that the packaging is tightly closed or sealed to avoid spillage

Store PPPs in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets

Take particular care to store slug pellets safely to avoid accidental poisoning of children and pets - particularly dogs , as some pellets may be toxic in larger quantities

Garden sheds and greenhouses are not ideal for storing PPPs as they can get very hot in summer or cold in winter. Products are best stored at an even temperature

If you have surplus product left at the end of the year, it should be effective for use the following year if you store it carefully. You can check whether it is still legal to use by visiting our garden database

Never store left-over solution from diluted concentrate PPPs

Concentrate PPPs that have been diluted and stored may not work as well when you next use them. It is also illegal to store PPPs that are unlabelled and not in their original container for safety reasons. Remember to only dilute enough for that day's use.

Disposing of plant protection products

Never pour PPPs down the drain, toilet or sink.

Whether you've diluted it or not, never pour PPPs down a drain or any other water drainage system (for example sink or toilet) because of the risk of contaminating water and harming wildlife. You could face prosecution

Empty concentrate containers (PPPs requiring dilution before use) should be rinsed three times, adding the washings to the final spray solution. The empty container must then be placed in the normal household waste

Empty ready-to-use containers - research recommended that empty plastic PPP containers of 'ready-to-use' products (for example trigger sprays and other products that do not require dilution) can be disposed of directly into your household recycling waste. Some labels may still contain instructions to dispose of it in the normal household waste, but labels of suitable products changed as of 31 December 2015, to instruct disposal of the empty container to recycling

Other empty PPP containers, for example bags and cardboard boxes, can also be disposed of in your household waste

Always check the label for advice on disposal of the product or empty container

Do not burn any PPP packaging.

Contacting us

Please contact us using the details on our contact page.

Garden database

How to use and understand the garden database

Frequently asked questions about PPPs

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Welcome to the garden area of our website. This is where we offer information and advice to those using plant protection products (PPPs), commonly referred to as pesticides, in their garden, allotment, or on their houseplants. User habits surveys for 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019 indicate that gardeners don't always use, store and dispose of PPPs correctly.

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Severn Trent is committed to sustainability of the environment, and water management is high on their agenda. Take a look on this website to see what they are doing to support the environment.

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Water management | Environment | Sustainability | Severn Trent Plc

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Our customers expect water to be there when they need it, and it’s important to them that they can trust a clean, healthy supply of water that will always be there when they turn on the tap. Water management is the whole end to end process.

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What I have learnt: Photographs and feedback

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What I have learnt: Photographs and feedback

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Please share your photos, top tips, ideas, feedback with us.  If you have any difficulty uploading your work please just get in touch with me - Brad Parkes, 07772 273033 or email carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com

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What I have learnt: Photographs and feedback

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What I have learnt: Photographs and feedback

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Please share your photos, top tips, ideas, feedback with us.  If you have any difficulty uploading your work please just get in touch with me - Brad Parkes, 07772 273033 or email carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com

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Growing plants in your raised beds - how to test the Ph of your soil first to check you have the best growing conditions

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Growing plants in your raised beds - how to test the Ph of your soil first to check you have the best growing conditions

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In order to get the best out of your garden plants and crops, it's worth testing your soil pH. In the UK this ranges from 3.5 (strongly acid) to 8.5 (strongly alkaline), with 7 being neutral. Most fruit and vegetables prefer soils that have a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

Discover 10 plants for acid soils and the best plants for alkaline soils.

In addition to pH, you also need to know what texture of soil you have. There are six main types - loamy, clay, sandy, silty, peaty or chalky. Discover how to find out your soil type.

The availability of nutrients, such as calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium, is influenced by pH. In addition, at a pH of 6 to 7.5 the soil organisms that break down organic matter and release nutrients are at their most active. The soil's pH can also affect the incidence of certain diseases and cultural problems. Clubroot, which attacks brassicas, prefers acid soil, for example, while alkaline soil encourages scab on potatoes.

For a rough indication of your local soil pH, look at what grows well in nearby gardens. If camellias and rhododendrons thrive, the soil is acidic, while flowering cherries, yew and clematis prefer alkaline soils, such as those on chalk.

In this No Fuss Guide, David Hurrion shows how to test the soil in your garden to check whether it is acid, alkaline or neutral. He describes the different kits on the market and shows how to collect the soil from your garden:

Testing your soil is quick and easy - simple pH testing kits are available in most garden centres. Here's how to do it.

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In order to get the best out of your garden plants and crops, it's worth testing your soil pH. In the UK this ranges from 3.5 (strongly acid) to 8.5 (strongly alkaline), with 7 being neutral. Most fruit and vegetables prefer soils that have a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

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How to change the growing conditions of your soil - what to add

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How to change the growing conditions of your soil - what to add

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When designing and planting your garden, you need to know whether the soil is acid or alkaline, as different plants thrive in different soils. The soil pH is a number that describes how acid or alkaline your soil is. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral. An acid soil has a pH value below 7.0 and above 7.0 the soil is alkaline.

When to test soil pH

It is especially worth checking soil pH before designing or planting a new garden, making vegetable plots, planting fruit, when growth is disappointing, or where yellowing of foliage occurs.

Lime is added to increase soil pH (make it more alkaline) and acidifying materials are added to decrease soil pH.

Testing can be done at any time, but if carried out within three months of adding lime, fertiliser or organic matter, the test may give misleading results.

How to test soil pH

Professional testing: RHS soil analysis service provides a full written report.

Home testing: You can test your soil pH yourself using a DIY kit widely available at garden centres. These kits are relatively cheap and easy to use and give a good indication of soil pH. But for the best results, send a soil sample to a laboratory for detailed analysis.

Always follow the sampling directions given by the test kit or laboratory to get a representative sample for the area in question.

Laboratory tests also detect free calcium carbonate (chalk or limestone). This may not be measured by DIY kits. A quick home test to check for free calcium carbonate is to add vinegar to a soil sample. If 'fizzing' is seen, free calcium carbonate is present.

Interpreting the results of a soil pH test

A pH test measures soil acidity or alkalinity. A pH 7.0 is considered neutral. An acid soil has a pH value below 7.0. Above pH 7.0 the soil is alkaline.

pH 3.0 - 5.0

Very acid soil

Most plant nutrients, particularly calcium, potassium, magnesium and copper, become more soluble under very acid conditions and are easily washed away

Most phosphates are locked up and unavailable to plants below pH 5.1, although some acid tolerant plants can utilise aluminium phosphate

Acid sandy soils are often deficient in trace elements

Bacteria cannot rot organic matter below pH 4.7 resulting in fewer nutrients being available to plants

Action: Add lime to raise the pH to above 5.0. The addition of lime can help break up acid clay soils

pH 5.1 - 6.0

Acid soil

Ideal for ericaceous (lime-hating) plants such as rhododendrons, camellias and heathers

Action: Add lime if other plants are grown

pH 6.1 - 7.0

Moderately acid soil

A pH 6.5 is the best general purpose pH for gardens, allowing a wide range of plants to grow, except lime-hating plants

The availability of major nutrients is at its highest and bacterial and earthworm activity is optimum at this pH

Action: It is not usually necessary to add anything to improve soil pH at this level

pH 7.1 - 8.0

Alkaline soil

Phosphorus availability decreases

Iron and manganese become less available leading to lime-induced chlorosis

But an advantage of this pH level is that clubroot disease of cabbage family crops (brassicas) is reduced

Action: Sulphur, iron sulphate and other acidifying agents can sometimes be added to reduce pH. Clay soils often require very large amounts of acidifying material and soils with free chalk or lime are not usually treatable

My Garden

Your free RHS gardening coach

Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips - all to help you grow successfully

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK's leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone's life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.

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soil: understanding ph and testing soil ;soils and composting;soil types;soil improvement;soil preparation;practical tasks;

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Soil: understanding pH and testing soil / RHS Gardening

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When designing and planting your garden, you need to know whether the soil is acid or alkaline, as different plants thrive in different soils. The soil pH is a number that describes how acid or alkaline your soil is. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral.

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Please share your photos, top tips, ideas, feedback with us. If you have any difficulty uploading your work please just get in touch with me - Brad Parkes, 07772 273033 or email carolparkes@chaseaquaruralenterprise.com

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Here is a direct link to Cannock Chase - Birches Valley were we are visiting today. This site has all the information you would like to know about Birches Valley and the Forestry Commission.

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With a children's play area, Go Ape, orienteering trails and even a dog activity trail, you will not be stuck for something to do at Cannock Chase Forest, located north of Birmingham.

We have a range of woodland walks to suit all ages and abilities, and for those wanting to explore the forest on two wheels, make sure to check out our cycling trails for some of the best family and mountain biking opportunities in the Midlands.

Hire a bike from our cycle centre, bring a picnic or lunch at the cafe. Come rain or shine, you will all go home having had a fantastic forest adventure.

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With a children's play area, Go Ape, orienteering trails and even a dog activity trail, you will not be stuck for something to do at Cannock Chase Forest, located north of Birmingham.

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Here is the NHS guide to the 5 steps for wellbeing.

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Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
1. Connect with other people

Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can:

help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth

give you an opportunity to share positive experiences

provide emotional support and allow you to support others

There are lots of things you could try to help build stronger and closer relationships:

2. Be physically active

Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

raising your self-esteem

helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them

causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood

Read about exercise guidelines and workouts to help improve your fitness and wellbeing

3. Learn new skills

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:

boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem

helping you to build a sense of purpose

helping you to connect with others

Even if you feel like you do not have enough time, or you may not need to learn new things, there are lots of different ways to bring learning into your life.

Some of the things you could try include:

4. Give to others

Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:

creating positive feelings and a sense of reward

giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth

helping you connect with other people

It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.

Some examples of the things you could try include:

saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you

asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer

spending time with friends or relatives who need support or company

offering to help someone you know with DIY or a work project

volunteering in your community, such as helping at a school, hospital or care home

5. Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

Read more about mindfulness, including steps you can take to be more mindful in your everyday life.

Further information

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Read about 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

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Planting herbs will attract important pollinators into your garden, which will, in turn, attract birds and small mammals looking for a meal.

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Gardening for health and wellbeing: How gardens boost your mental and physical health

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Gardening for health and wellbeing: How gardens boost your mental and physical health

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Gardens and gardening make us feel better – that's a fact – and the real magic is that anyone, anywhere can enjoy their healing power.

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Mental health and wellbeing – How gardening can help / RHS Gardening

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Gardening is being prescribed for people facing some of life’s toughest challenges – read real-life stories of people who have benefitted and the science behind it all

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This video explains the basics of sustainability

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As we begin to venture outside into the milder weather, the changing seasons offer the ideal time to draw up a list and tackle your garden maintenance jobs including timber care. Not just concerning your shed, decking and fencing, it's likely that after several months of intense weather, exterior woods including your window frames, doors, garage door and porch will also need some TLC.

Whether you want to protect your timber against the elements for a longer life against rot, wear and decay, or spruce up a tired surface to have it looking its best all year round; there are many different ways to treat your timber.

From exterior coatings to penetrative treatments, we've rounded up 5 great ways to treat outdoor wood.

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As we begin to venture outside into the milder weather, the changing seasons offer the ideal time to draw up a list and tackle your garden maintenance jobs including timber care. Not just concerning your shed, decking and fencing, it's likely that after several months of intense weather, exterior woods including your window frames, doors, garage door and porch will also need some TLC.

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Please watch this video on sustainability and how should be thinking when we develop or planet.

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How to join two pieces of wood together with a nail

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How to join two pieces of wood together with a nail

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How to join 2 pieces of wood at the corner

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Here is a very simple explanation of what sustainability with lots of ideas of how you can play your part in helping the planet.

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Eco-Friendly Habits | What Is Sustainable Living? | The Dr Binocs Show | Peekaboo Kidz

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How to join two pieces of wood together with a screw

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How to join two pieces of wood together with a screw

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How to join 2 pieces of wood in the corner with a screw

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This is only a rough way of measuring but it can give you a good idea.

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This video shows a very simple way of measuring the height of a tree or building using only a stick and measuring tape.

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How to use Pacing to measure a distance?

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How to use Pacing to measure a distance?

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Pacing is best used when walking or hiking to measure distances between land marks. do you think it would be accurate enough to use when competing woodwork projects? Why?

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How to make a walk through bean trellis 

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How to make a walk through bean trellis 

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Bean plants climb and cover anything in their path, but can sometimes look messy and tangled. Try making this arched bean trellis for your garden to give them a structured path to follow for a tidier look. When grown densely, this trellis gives the garden a magical, country garden vibe that also keeps crops off the ground.

Supplies Required

Post driver

Wire cutters

5-foot heavy-duty T posts

16-foot piece of cattle panel

Zip ties

Step 1: Drive Posts

To start this project, locate where you would like your arch placed. Drive the first T post in with the post driver. Measure 5' out and drive in the second post. Measure back 36" from each post and drive in a post in each location.

Step 2: Attach Cattle Panel

Place one end of the cattle panel on the ground inside of two of the T posts that are 36" apart and secure with 4 zip ties on each post. Arch the panel over to put the other end of the cattle panel along the other two T posts. Secure in the same fashion.

Step 3: Plant Beans

Plant beans (or any vining plant) at one or both ends of the arch and watch them grow. If the vines do not naturally weave through the cattle panel, you can gently wrap the end of the vine around a few rungs to get it started. If you add a decorative orb, you can train the vine to travel down and around the orb by weaving stray vine ends or use wire or twine to attach the vine to the base of the orb.

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Make an Eye-Catching Bean Trellis for Your Garden

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Bean plants climb and cover anything in their path, but can sometimes look messy and tangled. Try making this arched bean trellis for your garden to give them a structured path to follow for a tidier look. When grown densely, this trellis gives the garden a magical, country garden vibe that also keeps crops off the ground.

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Click on the picture to take you to an article which tells you how to grow sweet peas, written by Gardeners World

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Perfect for picking, fragrant sweet peas are easy to grow and come in a range of beautiful colours. You can grow them in pots or in the ground, training them up a frame for a beautiful display. Plant sweet peas near a seating area so you can smell them as you sit and relax in the garden. Or pick some for the vase - even a small amount can fill a room with fragrance.

How to grow sweet peas at home

Plant sweet pea seeds in autumn or spring. When plants are 10cm tall, pinch out the tips to encourage bushy growth. Plant out in mid-spring and keep well watered. Most varieties have tendrils that will 'self-cling' to supports, but some sweet peas will need tying in.

Start feeding sweet peas with a high potash fertiliser (such as tomato food) when flower buds appear. Regular picking encourages more flowers to form, so keep picking those blooms for the vase.

More on growing sweet peas:

Where to grow sweet peas

Plant sweet peas in an open, sunny position in a well-drained but moisture-retentive soil. Sweet peas are well suited to growing in pots - make sure you use a good, peat-free compost with a slow-release fertiliser mixed in.

How to sow sweet peas

Sweet peas are easy to grow from seed in either autumn or spring. If sowing in autumn ensure you have the room to grow them on in a frost-free place until spring.

Sweet pea seeds germinate relatively easily. But you can help activate germination by nicking the seed coat with a knife, avoiding the 'eye' area. Either sow seed in 9cm pots (3 to a pot), in root trainers or trays. Sow the seed in a good quality, peat-free compost, and place in a cold frame or greenhouse.

Watch Monty Don's video guide to growing sweet peas from seed:

Planting out sweet peas

Plant out your sweet peas from late May, once all risk of frost has passed. Before planting, harden them off by putting them out in the day and returning them to a frost-free place at night. Pinch out the tips of young sweet pea plants when they reach about 10cm tall, to encourage bushy growth.

You can buy sweet pea plug plants in spring. Plant them in fertile soil beneath a support, such as a wigwam made of bamboo canes. Most sweet peas will grow to about 2m in height. Water in well until they've put on good growth. Space sweet pea plugs or pots about 20cm apart - don't worry about separating individual plants.

Watch Monty as he plants out sweet peas and explains how to plant out shop-bought plants. Learn why it's best to plant them out only once the soil has warmed up, and the benefits of giving them a good drink after planting:

How to care for sweet peas

Sweet peas require training up a suitable support and can be grown as cordons.

Watch David Hurrion's No Fuss video guide to tying in sweet peas:

Start feeding with a high potash fertiliser, such as tomato food, when flowers appear. Regular picking will encourage more flowers and prevent plants from setting seed. Water sweet peas growing in pots, and during very dry weather.

Find out how to prolong your sweet pea crops, in Monty Don's practical video. Monty explains how picking at regular intervals will keep your plants flowering right through summer and into September. You'll also have a steady supply of cut flowers for the house:

Growing sweet peas: problem solving

Young sweet pea plants are prone to slug and snail damage. Try using beer traps, copper bands, or the biological control, Nemaslug, to deter them. Find out more about keeping slugs and snails away.

Sweet peas can sometimes become leggy. Here, David Hurrion explains how to save them:

In hot, sunny weather, the soil around plants can become especially parched, and for sweet peas, can cause them to drop their flowers. Take a look at this Quick Tips video with Catherine Mansley, BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, as she offers advice on how to both treat and prevent this problem:

Great sweet pea varieties to grow

Lathyrus vernus 'Alboroseus' - a hardy perennial bush-forming sweet pea that has tiny pink and white flowers in April. Reaches 35cm in height and spread

Lathyrus latifolius 'White Pearl' - perennial climber with pure-white flowers from June to late August. Reaches a height of 2m

Lathyrus odoratus 'Matucana' - hardy annual that is hugely popular and fondly known as the old-fashioned sweet pea. It has scented two-tone purple flowers in summer and is ideal for picking

Lathyrys odoratus 'Lipstick' (pictured) - a wavy-edged, Spencer type with good scent

Lathyrus odoratus 'Lord Nelson' - hardy annual grown for picking. Blue flowers with a highly rated scent in summer. Plants reach 2m

Lathyrus odoratus 'Painted Lady' - hardy annual grown for picking. Bi-coloured blooms of pale and dark pink. Highly scented old-fashioned type. Great for early flowers

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Perfect for picking, fragrant sweet peas are easy to grow and come in a range of beautiful colours. You can grow them in pots or in the ground, training them up a frame for a beautiful display. Plant sweet peas near a seating area so you can smell them as you sit and relax in the garden.

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Take a look at this link for instructions on how to make a basic bean/pea frame for your gardern.

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An elegant and attractive frame provides a decorative support for climbing beans. This structure is simple and cheap to make, and folds flat when not in use, taking just a few minutes to erect again in late spring.

For a bean frame measuring 190cm x 100cm (75in x 40in)

Timber
4 x 230cm long, 50mm wide, 25mm thick (90in x 2in x 1in)
4 x 90cm long x 50mm wide x 25mm thick (36in x 2in x 1in)

Bamboo canes
8 x 200cm (78in) long

Fencing staples
16 large galvanised

Butt hinges
2 x 10cm (4in) brass with screws

Screws
16 x 5mm x 80mm (No 10 x 3/4in) stainless steel

TOOLS

Saw

Tape measure

Drill, with 5mm (3/16in) drill bit

Screwdriver

Hammer

Pencil

Square or a mitre block

Climbing beans make a gorgeous feature in any garden. Flowers, foliage and the beans conspire to create a wall of colour, but these climbing plants need a frame to grow up if they are to look their best and crop well. They will also be easier to pick. This A-frame fulfils that function and uses a really pleasing combination of timber and bamboo to enhance the beauty of the beans as they twine around the canes.

The frame fits neatly across the width of a 120cm (48in) bed and is suitable for growing 200cm (79in) tall plants. It is easy to alter the dimensions to make a wider or taller structure, if this better suits your preferred length of row or the height of your favourite variety of beans.

The frame is sturdy enough to support mature plants and it has remained steady through two years of windy weather in our garden.

Making the Folding A-Shaped Bean Frame

STEP 1 CUT THE TIMBER TO LENGTH

Use the square to mark cutting lines on the lengths of timber. Allow for a 2mm (3/32in)
wide cut between each piece. Use the saw to cut out the four uprights and four
crosspieces: a mitre block will help. Set the timbers with their short edges facing up.

STEP 2 DRILL CLEARANCE HOLES IN UPRIGHTS

Use the 5mm (3/16in) drill bit to make two clearance holes, 15mm (1/2in) and
35mm (11/2in) from the end of each of the 230cm (90in) pieces of timber. Drill two
clearance holes 42cm (161/2in) and 44cm (171/4in) from the other end of each piece.

STEP 3 ASSEMBLE THE TWO SIDES

Use 5mm x 80mm (No 10 x 3/4in) screws to fix a 90cm (36in) timber as a crossbar
between the drilled points at the top of two uprights. Fix a second crossbar between
the drilled points 40cm (16in) from the base. Repeat to make two frames.

STEP 4 FIT THE HINGES

Lay your two rectangular frames (each with 40cm (16in) 'legs') together so the
top crossbars are square and flush. Leave a small gap between the crossbars, so the
hinges don't bind when closed. Screw the hinges in place 15cm (6in) from each end.

STEP 5 ATTACH THE BAMBOO CANES

Place the frame on the ground. Lay four equally spaced bamboo canes across one
side. Hammer staples around the canes at the top and bottom to secure them. Allow
the canes to overlap or trim to fit. Turn the frame over and repeat on the other side.

STEP 6 PUT THE FRAME IN PLACE

If the ground is hard, use a crowbar to make holes for the legs. Push the legs about 35cm (14in) into the ground, until the frame is straight and level. If you stand on the lower crossbar to push the frame down, do this with great care to ensure it doesn't break!

Sowing & Growing Tips for the Folding Bean Frame

Allow one runner bean plant per cane and one for each upright timber, giving you six on each side of the frame. French beans have lighter foliage, so you could put two plants next to each cane.

* Climbing French beans and runner beans both perform well on this sturdy structure.
* Dig plenty of garden compost into the ground before putting up the frame. Alternatively, make planting holes around the frame once it is erected and fill these with compost before planting.
* Sow seeds 25mm (1in) deep at the base of each cane, or raise plants
in pots and plant out the strongest ones. Sow two weeks before the last frost is expected, as temperatures below 6°C (40°F) can kill plants.
* Tie in stems to the canes using soft twine initially to help the tips find their way. Make sure you twist the stems in an anticlockwise direction; they will unravel if they are wound clockwise.
* Plants grow quickly and soon start to twist around the canes; when they start twining they will grow and climb on their own without help.
* Keep the ground watered in dry weather, especially when the beans are in flower. This stimulates more flowers to set pods.
* Mist the flowers with water in hot, dry weather to aid pod set.
* Pick pods while they are young and beans are tender. Older beans can be tough and starchy.
* Put spent plants on the compost heap in the autumn when cropping is finished. Ensure the frame is dry before folding it flat and storing it in a shed for use the following year.

This article is an extract from Build a Better Vegetable Garden by Joyce Russell, photography by Ben Russell. Published by Frances Lincoln (£16.99).

Extract used with permission of the publishers and copyright holders - Frances Lincoln, Joyce Russell.

All photographs copyright of Ben Russell.

All rights reserved.

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Build Folding A-Shaped Bean Frame Instructions - Allotment & Gardens

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An elegant and attractive frame provides a decorative support for climbing beans. This structure is simple and cheap to make, and folds flat when not in use, taking just a few minutes to erect again in late spring.

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This video provides 5 different methods of supporting your beans as they grow

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This video provides 5 different methods of supporting your beans as they grow

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5 Best Bean Poles, Frames and Supports for Your Garden

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This PowerPoint explains what the water cycle is and how the water you are drinking today has been around since the Jurassic period.

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Some more ideas for your bean frame designs

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Some more ideas for your bean frame designs

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I just love growing vegetables "up," and each year I'm still looking for new trellis options. Not only does it make room for more crops (which is a huge plus if you have a small garden space or just a couple of raised beds), but they are just so pretty, too!

Thankfully my husband is pretty handy, and he built a few trellises for me. But even if you have no experience or know-how to build anything (because I certainly don't!) you can make do many of these trellis ideas yourself.

So, which crops are most popular to grow on a trellis, especially for the beginning gardener?

Pole Bean Trellis Ideas

I have to start with my favorite: pole beans. Not sure the difference between bush beans and pole beans? In this blog post I explain the differences between the two: What Kind of Green Beans Should You Grow?

I prefer to grow pole beans because they take up less space in the ground garden (since their growth habit is "up") and they produce all season instead of one quick burst. Overall, you get more harvest in total from pole beans.

Pole beans vine up in a spiral, latching onto whatever is nearby. They really don't need to be trained as long as they're planted next to a trellis, which makes it an easier on the gardener!

For pole beans, a tall structure is best, since they can grow taller than you!

I've spent a few seasons trying to find the perfect pole bean trellis. These are the ones I've used, along with the pros & cons of each.

Bamboo Trellis

My first try at building a support for pole beans was this bamboo trellis. It's actually a great idea if you have access to bamboo or other tall supports. I made several mistakes in my design, though. I should have dug the poles into the ground further and anchored both ends. But it was my first garden, so I had to start somewhere!

Tepee Trellis

I have also used bamboo poles in a tepee formation. This is a great option, and kids love them! The only problem was their height, which limited the upward growth of the beans. If you go with a tepee trellis, I'd choose taller poles.

Also, make sure they're anchored well. A trellis full of beans, unanchored, can easily blow over in a windstorm.

A-Frame Bean Trellis

The sturdy A-frame trellis is my favorite trellis for many vertical crops, but it shines with pole beans. Constructed with treated lumber, it has lasted almost a decade.

The structure itself is a pretty straight-forward build, but you have to add additional lines between the boards for the beans to climb up. I prefer to use bailing twine because it lasts several seasons. Regular jute twine will make it through one season and is compostable. But because stringing the twine takes several hours, I prefer to do it every 3-4 years with the bailing twine.

While the A-frame trellis works great for pole beans, it also does double-duty, allowing you to grow shade-tolerant crops beneath it for maximum planting. I love to grow celery underneath mine. It enjoys the warm spring sun while the pole beans are just starting to grow, but when the weather turns hot, the celery appreciates the shade.

(For step-by-step instructions on how to construct this A-frame trellis, click here.)

Bottom line for growing pole beans up a trellis: Whatever method you think will work best for your garden, you need something tall, and you need it relatively small in diameter, less than five inches.
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Trellis Options for Peas

Climbing peas, though similar to beans, possess a slightly different growth habit. Instead of vining in a spiral, they grow up and attach tendrils to what they're next to. If there is no trellis, many times they'll attach to one another, causing instability to the entire planting.

Climbing peas prefer attaching to horizontal supports, unlike pole beans, which like vertical ones.

Now, not all peas require a trellis. I grow varieties like Sugar Ann Snap and Lincoln without a trellis. So make sure to check your seed packet or catalog before choosing a trellis for peas. If a support is necessary, the seed packet will tell you.

If you choose climbing peas (my favorite is Green Arrow), you have several options for support.

A-Frame Trellis for Peas

My first year, I wove twine horizontally between the vertical bailing twine of the A-frame trellis, up to about 4′ high. Because peas are a cool-season crop, I planted them first, and after they finished producing, I pulled them up, ripped out the horizontal twine, and planted my beans. They did fine with this method.

Homemade Netting for Climbing Peas

Another option is to hammer in T-posts at the end of rows (or at the end of a raised bed) and weave twine in between the t-posts in a grid pattern.

Here are the benefits I found to using a homemade netting to support climbing peas:

cheap (all you need is twine & t-posts)

easy disassembly (just chunk it all in the compost bin at the end of the season).

customizable (make it as long and as high as you need)

But, there are a few drawbacks to the homemade netting:

weaving the lines takes a long time. (Get settled into a good garden podcast to pass the time.)

you have to construct a new one each year

if you don't get them tight enough, they will stretch and sag with the weight of the peas

If you're interested in weaving your own trellis like this, this post shows you how: Weaving the Pea Trellis by Lady Farmer's Garden.

Pre-Made Vine & Veggie Trellis Net

If you like the netting idea to support peas but you don't want to weave your own, consider a pre-made trellis netting like this one.

The biggest advantage of this is not having to weave your own, and you also can re-use it season after season. This is all a time-saver.

But some of that time savings the following year is counteracted by having to unroll the netting. If you didn't take care to put it away in a neat manner (or even if you did), it can be a puzzle of sorts to get it unwound again.

Another drawback is that you are limited to the pre-made sizes available.

Obelisk for Peas

If you like aesthetics or you're growing in a kitchen garden, you may consider using an attractive obelisk for your peas to climb.

I chose to grow a vining snap pea variety on my obelisk, and it quickly took over. In hindsight, a larger obelisk would have been better. But it sure was beautiful!

I tied twine around the sections, which the peas preferred to latch onto (even the 1″ wood was too thick for the delicate tendrils to wrap around). But even then, I had to train the peas up the obelisk, which I never had to do with the other options.

Bottom line for growing climbing peas up a trellis: They like horizontal supports, but other than that, they're not particular. Peas are lightweight in general, so you don't need a sturdy structure like you would for other crops.

Cucumber Trellis Ideas

While you can grow bush-type cucumbers, most gardeners choose vining types that require a trellis.

Their growth habit is similar to peas in that they use their tendrils to hook onto the support, but they will latch onto both horizontal and vertical supports. In fact, having both horizontal and vertical supports is a great option.

Keep in mind, cucumbers don't just grow up; they grow out. You'll need to train them to go where you want them to go, especially if you plant them in a small space.

Here are a few great options for growing cucumbers up a trellis:

Section of Livestock Panel

The quickest setup for cucumbers can be found in using a section of livestock panel. Just anchor them into the ground and train the cucumber plants up the trellis.

This is an easy choice for a raised bed, where cucumbers will vine up the back side of the bed, leaving room for other crops in front.

Arch Trellis for Cucumbers

Growing cucumbers up an arch trellis is my favorite way to grow them. They need little training and they quickly cover the arch.

cucumbers beginning to climb arch trellis

cucumbers and tromboncino squash cover two arch trellises

Constructing an arch trellis is easy. Using livestock panel and t-posts, grab a friend or family member and "arch" the panel between 4 posts. Or, if you're using the arch to span two raised beds, use the beds as the initial anchor, and finish with t-posts for added stability.

Cucumbers love growing up this structure, and when you train the plants to grow up, it makes harvesting so much fun!

How to Build an Arch by Get Busy Gardening gives you another option on constructing an arch trellis.

Small A-Frame Trellis for Cucumbers

If you want a more compact option to trellis your cucumbers, you can also construct a small A-frame trellis or cucumbers to climb. Cool weather crops like cabbage or lettuce happily grow underneath and enjoy the shade of the growing cucumber vines.

Succession Planting Peas & Cucumbers on the Same Trellis

Even though we talked about three different climbing vegetables and the different options to support them, the good news is you can use some trellises for multiple crops. This is particularly true when succession planting peas (a cool season crop) and cucumbers (a warm season crop).

This video shows how I used my pea trellis for my cucumbers through succession planting with those two crops:

Want more ideas? I've pinned some neat ideas on my Garden Trellis Pinterest Board here.
Have you used any of these methods, or do you have any you would add to my list?

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Vegetables that Climb & Sprawl: Trellis Options for Your Garden

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I just love growing vegetables "up," and each year I'm still looking for new trellis options. Not only does it make room for more crops (which is a huge plus if you have a small garden space or just a couple of raised beds), but they are just so pretty, too!

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Watch this video to see how to sow and grow your Sweet Peas.

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How to sow Sweet Peas | Grow at Home | RHS

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