Tag: Dobies catalogues

How to Plant Spring Bulbs

October 15, 2017

The appearance of early spring flowers is when many of us breathe a sigh of relief. The dark days of winter are nearly over. Be they dancing daffodils, pure snowdrops or vibrant tulips, spring bulbs bring a welcome promise of longer, warmer days.

What Dobies Seed Was Being Sown and Grown in 1975?

March 29, 2017

This week a copy of the 1975 Dobies Seed catalogue landed on my desk. Found by someone clearing the home of a sadly deceased relative. Much of our archive material was lost when we moved from Llangollen to Torquay so we are always grateful to receive copies of old catalogues and the like.

In Praise of Cherry Tomatoes

February 15, 2017

Cherry Tomatoes are the tiny, sometimes grape-sized, tomatoes much loved by adults and children alike. They tend to be sweeter than other types and are suitable for adding whole to salads, roasting or simply eating fresh from the plant. In addition to trusty favourite varieties we are introducing some exciting new cherry tomatoes this year. Not just for the sake of it but because they are an improvement on what came before.

Blight Resistant Tomatoes – Crimson Crush

January 25, 2017

Back in 2015 we launched a revolution in blight resistant tomatoes – Crimson Crush. Many allotment holders and gardeners had long since stopped growing outdoor tomatoes due to the disappointment of seeing their crop devastated by blight. Crimson Crush is a proven answer and for 2017 we are extending this blight resistant tomato family.

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Dobies Christmas Gardening Quiz

December 22, 2016

The Dobies Christmas Gardening Quiz is perfect for when there’s nothing on the TV and its too cold to go for a walk. Just settle down in a comfy chair and have a go at the gardening related (sort of!) questions. Good luck!

Christmas Gardens – Inside and Out

1. How are Hellebore seeds spread?

2. When snow settles what effect does it have on the soil below?

3. What Christmas plant grows high up on the branches of a host tree?

4. Which Christmas houseplant is famed for its colourful bracts?

5. English Ivy (Ilex aquifolium) is dioecious. What does this mean?

Christmas Food

6. Frost changes the taste of veg such as parsnips and sprouts. In what way?

7. What is the first fully blight resistant tomato, exclusive to Dobies?

8. A red leafed vegetable is perfect for a winter salad, what is it?

9. The Women’s Institute may have a link to which winter vegetable?

10. Which purple cauliflower retains its colour when cooked?

Christmas Trees

11. Who made Christmas trees popular in England?

12. What are the 3 main types of real Christmas tree?

13. Can you eat your Christmas tree?

14. Why does Norway gift a Christmas Tree to Britain each year?

15. How old is the average Christmas tree when cut?

Christmas Music

16. According to the well-known folk carol which tree wears the crown?

17. Who wrote In the Bleak Mid-Winter?

18. Who composed the Nutcracker Suite?

19. Where was Chris Rea going to spend Christmas?

20. Originally who was it that went “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”?

Christmas Crackers

21. Where does Santa go when he’s feeling poorly?

22. What is the most popular Christmas wine?

23. Why are Christmas trees no good at knitting?

24. Who do MI6 have to look out for at Christmas?

25. Why does Father Christmas need not one, not two but three gardens?

So, how did you do in our Christmas Gardening Quiz?
The answers will be posted on the 29th December.