During my recent search for a new home, I always found myself frantically scrolling through property descriptions to discover the all-important and often neglected information on the garden. And yet, it is not just me who is more focussed on the garden than the house. A 2020 study from Rightmove revealed that homes advertised Read more »
Compost. It is sold in every garden centre, supermarket, and hardware shop. We are encouraged to create our own with our food waste, garden cuttings and various modern plastic alternatives; but what is it and how can we be using it to maximise our gardens, as well as our sustainability efforts? The purpose of Read more »
The cohesion between a home’s exterior and interior design is paramount for creating a harmonious living space. A seamless transition from outside to inside enhances the overall aesthetic appeal and creates a unified and inviting atmosphere. When the exterior aligns with the architecture of the house, it establishes a visual narrative that reflects the Read more »
An insight into some of the brilliant seed heads you can be looking out for in your garden this winter. Just when you think the bright days spent admiring your garden are over and the winter has set in, an overnight frost will cover your outdoor space in a glistening white blanket and reveal Read more »
Advice on how to achieve your ideal cottage garden from the Nicholsons Garden Design Studio. A cottage garden encapsulates our most romantic notions of English country gardens of the past: a winding gravel path through a colourful tapestry of flowers; a vegetable garden that promises to keep you busy in the kitchen or a Read more »
By Libby Reeves Nicholsons Plants covers The Plant Centre, where we encourage you to come in and purchase all your garden essentials and look at some of the artisan products we have available. It also covers the Nursery, where we are growing Plant Healthy-certified trees, shrubs and hedging which are ideal Read more »
Bicester Village has received a prestigious Gold standard certificate at the Thames & Chiltern in Bloom awards. The awards are one of 16 regional and national campaigns that make up Britain in Bloom, in association with the Royal Horticultural Society and is Europe’s largest horticultural competition. Entries are invited from communities of Read more »
By Jo Alderton Whilst summer is often the ‘busy’ season for ecologists, with lots of early mornings and late night surveys, the wonder of nature doesn’t stop as we come into the autumn months. This time of year can be incredibly important for a variety of species as they prepare for the colder Read more »
By Sam Halliday Sam decided to pursue his passion for landscape and the natural environment after beginning his career in architecture. Sam now works as a landscape designer for Nicholsons, offering a diverse and detailed skillset to our design team. Typically found in grand country estates, follies were typically built for fun - Read more »
By Jared Hutchings First and foremost, before cutting long grass, make sure there is no sign of sheltering wildlife. For example, reptiles, amphibians and mammals may hide out of site, even in small areas. Should you encounter any wildlife, walk through the area, making lots of noise and allow animals the opportunity to get Read more »
By Ella Geden-Davies This year, we have curated a collection of ornamental trees within the nursery. With planting season soon approaching, browse the suggestions below to learn about their features and the ideal planting location to guarantee optimum health and longevity. Read more »
By Libby Reeves Seeds are nearly always taken for granted. We buy packets and lose them down the back of a cupboard, the dog chews the packet, or a gust of wind carries them to areas where we don't want or need them. We plant them out in little lines then go along a Read more »
By Liz NicholsonChildhood memories of dens, treehouses and shepherd’s huts set the scene for often chasing the “home beyond the house walls”.In my case, the shepherd’s hut was the real deal, abandoned in a leafy beech woodland on a bucolic Cotswold estate. The shepherd’s hut of my childhood was scarce in its furnishings, bare in Read more »
By Oliver Ong The arrival of August means that we are firmly in school summer holiday season, which brings with it an excellent opportunity for families to come together and enjoy the outdoors. This week’s blog presents a selection of fun activities to entertain you and your family throughout the holidays. From outdoor pursuits Read more »
Article prepared by Sam Hargreaves, Arboricultural Services Manager The hottest June weather on record will not have been so welcome to our teams on the tools, in particular the guys and gals suiting up in chainsaw trousers, boots and helmets to undertake the strenuous work arboriculture requires of them. But Read more »
By Liz Nicholson We will all be aware that the climate is giving hectic rainfall patterns, demonstrated locally with no rainfall in the month of May. Water security is of great concern across the entire population and, at Nicholsons, we are working hard to play our part in supporting long-term water security. Our forestry Read more »
By Libby Reeves The evolution of animals is widely known and monopolized. Dinosaurs have been used in films, books, and many other mediums for knowledge and entertainment. The backstory of humanity evolving from apes is used in a similar way. However, plants have evolved alongside these ancient beasts, and their history is equally important. Read more »
Gardens have always been spaces of natural beauty and serenity, but some gardeners seek to take their green sanctuaries to a whole new level. Enter topiary trees—the living sculptures that add a touch of artistry and whimsy to outdoor spaces. With their carefully trimmed forms and meticulous designs, topiary trees have captured the imagination Read more »
