Gardening

Amazing - A family in Colchester had their garden transformed by a charity for their unwell child

Charity and volunteers give Love Your Garden-style facelift for ill youngster

Gardening - the Colchester School Garden Competition entries

Gardening - the Colchester School Garden Competition entries

Ten schools show off their gardens in Culver Square for annual competition

Japanese Knotweed and the other criminal plants that could land you with a £30,000 this summer

Japanese Knotweed and the other criminal plants that could land you with a £30,000 this summer

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The 9 illegal plants that could land you with a £30,000 fine

Welcome - Judges Alan Hume (Left) and Dale Hector (Right) at the Britain in Bloom 60 years celebration floral works at the entrance to Frinton on Sea

Welcome - Judges Alan Hume (Left) and Dale Hector (Right) at the Britain in Bloom 60 years celebration floral works at the entrance to Frinton on Sea

In pictures: North Essex town's submission for Britain in Bloom Finals 2024

NHS - Dr Becca Elson sitting on a new bench in the wellbeing garden

NHS - Dr Becca Elson sitting on a new bench in the wellbeing garden

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'It’s exciting to see the space come to life' - NHS doctor on new wellbeing garden

Opening - the new wellbeing garden

Opening - the new wellbeing garden

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'Invaluable' and 'beautiful' new green space opens at Colchester Hospital

How to get your garden summer-ready and save money with Brewers

How to get your garden summer-ready and save money with Brewers

Our offers and promotions

How to get your garden summer-ready and save money with Brewers

Fun - Stanway Garden Centre is one of five suggested garden centres to visit this Bank Holiday weekend

Fun - Stanway Garden Centre is one of five suggested garden centres to visit this Bank Holiday weekend

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Here are five of the best Colchester garden centres to visit this Bank Holiday

Anniversary - Tymperleys is celebrating 10 years since it re-opened in 2014 (shown)

Anniversary - Tymperleys is celebrating 10 years since it re-opened in 2014 (shown)

Tymperelys to celebrate 10 years since re-opening with special Bank Holiday event

If you've got birds in the garden and going through your crops, try planting white flowers to deter them

If you've got birds in the garden and going through your crops, try planting white flowers to deter them

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Planting flowers of this one 'danger' colour will keep birds away from your garden

Garden shed expert Sam Jenkinson, from garden building retailer Tiger has broken down exactly what happens to your garden shed if you neglect basic upkeep.

Garden shed expert Sam Jenkinson, from garden building retailer Tiger has broken down exactly what happens to your garden shed if you neglect basic upkeep.

These are the ways you may be neglecting your shed (and costing yourself £100s)

There are 35 UK bee species that are currently under threat of extinction but all species face serious threats.

There are 35 UK bee species that are currently under threat of extinction but all species face serious threats.

These are the 10 best flowers and plants to bring bees buzzing to your garden

Some plants could end up costing you £2,500 to fix

Some plants could end up costing you £2,500 to fix

The 9 common garden plants that could devalue your home by thousands

Several types of lilies are dangerous to cats, even in small amounts, including the Asiatic lily, tiger lily, stargazer lily and Easter lily

Several types of lilies are dangerous to cats, even in small amounts, including the Asiatic lily, tiger lily, stargazer lily and Easter lily

PDSA warns gardeners about a flower that can be 'life-threatening' for cats

Are you already preparing for hosepipe bans in the UK this summer?

Are you already preparing for hosepipe bans in the UK this summer?

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Scientists warn UK is at risk of hosepipe bans and water shortages this summer

Breakfast - Bird and Bean in Connaught Avenue, Frinton, serves a great breakfast

Breakfast - Bird and Bean in Connaught Avenue, Frinton, serves a great breakfast

The feel-good and homely north Essex breakfast spot which has it all

Enter our competition to win a £100 to spend at B&Q to find everything you need to design your dream outdoor space.

Enter our competition to win a £100 to spend at B&Q to find everything you need to design your dream outdoor space.

Home Makeover: How you can win £100 to spend at B&Q

Enjoy getting busy in the garden this spring by entering our competition to win a £100 National Garden Gift Card.

Enjoy getting busy in the garden this spring by entering our competition to win a £100 National Garden Gift Card.

Hello Spring: How you can WIN a £100 National Garden gift card

Nominate your favourite garden centre

Nominate your favourite garden centre

Nominations are in for your favourite garden centre

Clear up - Members of BID and Colchester Civic Society during a previous clean-up of the site

Clear up - Members of BID and Colchester Civic Society during a previous clean-up of the site

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Exciting plans revealed for 'vibrant' transformation of neglected space in Colchester

Experts are warning Brits against getting burned when sitting or walking on artificial grass during this week's heatwave

Experts are warning Brits against getting burned when sitting or walking on artificial grass during this week's heatwave

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Brits with artificial grass urged to take these four steps amid UK heatwave

Award - Wivenhoe Park management receives award for maintaining the high standards

Award - Wivenhoe Park management receives award for maintaining the high standards

University of Essex

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The award-winning Colchester park celebrated for its 'outstanding' management

Pets need to be buried three feet deep within light soil

Pets need to be buried three feet deep within light soil

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The surprising pet garden law that could see Brits hit with a £5k fine

Have you got a problem with cats invading your garden and causing a lot of mess?

Have you got a problem with cats invading your garden and causing a lot of mess?

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Cats ruining your garden? How to stop them pooing on plants with this 74p hack

A warning has been issued for gardeners and walkers to be on the lookout for Hemlock, a deadly plant which could prove fatal to pets and humans

A warning has been issued for gardeners and walkers to be on the lookout for Hemlock, a deadly plant which could prove fatal to pets and humans

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Warning over deadly plant fatal to pets and humans found in gardens

A warning has been issued for gardeners and walkers to be on the lookout for Hemlock, a deadly plant which could prove fatal to pets and humans

A warning has been issued for gardeners and walkers to be on the lookout for Hemlock, a deadly plant which could prove fatal to pets and humans

Warning over deadly plant fatal to pets and humans found in gardens

Community - Level Best Volunteers planting in the Blossom Circles

Community - Level Best Volunteers planting in the Blossom Circles

Green-fingered volunteers not defined by disabilities plant flowers in Castle Park

Challenges - Despite his noble mission, James has faced plenty of hurdles

Challenges - Despite his noble mission, James has faced plenty of hurdles

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Web developer turned gardener needs help feeding Colchester's foodbanks

Flowers in pots and a watering can in the garden. Credit: Canva

Flowers in pots and a watering can in the garden. Credit: Canva

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See 6 shocking ways you might be breaking the law in your own garden

Delighted - Staff of the garden centre were delighted with their win.

Delighted - Staff of the garden centre were delighted with their win.

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Blenheim Garden Centre wins Gazette Garden Centre of the Year award

Pleased - St Helena pupils and staff celebrating the opening of their new eco-garden

Pleased - St Helena pupils and staff celebrating the opening of their new eco-garden

St Helena School students celebrate opening of 'incredibly inspiring' eco-garden

From buying a water butt to keeping on top of weeds, here are 5 affordable ways to prepare for a hosepipe ban in the UK

From buying a water butt to keeping on top of weeds, here are 5 affordable ways to prepare for a hosepipe ban in the UK

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How you can prepare for a hosepipe ban in summer by following these 5 cheap tips

Traeger Fest will take place at Perrywood garden centre near Tiptree next weekend

Traeger Fest will take place at Perrywood garden centre near Tiptree next weekend

Barbecue festival with live music and American food coming to garden centre

The charity Plantlife is asking people to stop mowing their lawns throughout the month of May as part of the No Mow May campaign

The charity Plantlife is asking people to stop mowing their lawns throughout the month of May as part of the No Mow May campaign

This is why gardeners in the UK are being told not to mow their lawns in May

Nominate your Favourite Garden Centre or Nursery now!

Nominate your Favourite Garden Centre or Nursery now!

Community contribution

Vote now for your Favourite Garden Centre or Nursery

Posing - John Fryer-Kelsey captured this action shot of a squirrel scrambling for walnuts.

Posing - John Fryer-Kelsey captured this action shot of a squirrel scrambling for walnuts.

Look: Seven beautiful nature photos taken by our talented Colchester Gazette readers

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy these secret gardens near Colchester

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy these secret gardens near Colchester

Cultural attractions

Listed: The five secret gardens near Colchester you can explore this spring

Change making - Robert Strathern, Fairfields Farm co-owner, is urging people to choose their favourite name for the new woodlands, for the chance to win a supply of crisps.

Change making - Robert Strathern, Fairfields Farm co-owner, is urging people to choose their favourite name for the new woodlands, for the chance to win a supply of crisps.

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Help name Fairfields Farm's new woodland (and you could win a supply of crisps)

Browsing - Shoppers browsing the broad range of goods available.

Browsing - Shoppers browsing the broad range of goods available.

In photos - Shoppers delighted by local goods at Langham Handmade Fair

Plant power - Two happy residents recieve their plants from a previous Trees for Years event.

Plant power - Two happy residents recieve their plants from a previous Trees for Years event.

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How anyone with a Colchester postcode can get free trees being given away this month

Therapeutic - Essex Therapy Dogs brightened everyone's day with their visit to the Stanway Garden Centre.

Therapeutic - Essex Therapy Dogs brightened everyone's day with their visit to the Stanway Garden Centre.

Special dogs visit brightens shoppers' day at Stanway Garden Centre

Portals - Nigel Wood seemingly opened a portal to another dimension, when taking these long exposure shots on the beach.

Portals - Nigel Wood seemingly opened a portal to another dimension, when taking these long exposure shots on the beach.

Clubs and societies

Your pictures: Beach light shows, aerial views and a hungry cow

Hundreds of daisies raise thousands of pounds for much loved hospice

Hundreds of daisies raise thousands of pounds for much loved hospice

Hundreds of daisies raise thousands of pounds for much loved hospice

Flowers in pots and a watering can in the garden. Credit: Canva

Flowers in pots and a watering can in the garden. Credit: Canva

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See 6 shocking ways you might be breaking the law in your own garden

Gardener, Sue Daish - Wellington House – Harwich Secret Gardens 2022 – Photo Copyright © Maria Fowler 2022

Gardener, Sue Daish - Wellington House – Harwich Secret Gardens 2022 – Photo Copyright © Maria Fowler 2022

PICTURES: Historic town's secret gardens opened to visitors

Couple up with Aldi this summer to transform your garden into the Love Island villa (PA/Aldi)

Couple up with Aldi this summer to transform your garden into the Love Island villa (PA/Aldi)

Couple up with Aldi this summer to transform your garden into the Love Island villa

Inflatable Hot Tub & Accessories. Credit: Aldi

Inflatable Hot Tub & Accessories. Credit: Aldi

Aldi brings back its best-selling Hot Tub and accessories in time for summer

Aldi’s large egg chair is back for the first time this year – but you’ll have to be quick (Aldi/PA)

Aldi’s large egg chair is back for the first time this year – but you’ll have to be quick (Aldi/PA)

Aldi’s large egg chair is back for the first time this year – but you’ll have to be quick

Eco fun - The Free workshop will run in Culver Square on Saturday morning

Eco fun - The Free workshop will run in Culver Square on Saturday morning

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Skinny Jean Gardener Lee to sow seeds in shopping centre

Peaceful - Buckers Farmhouse Coggeshall CREDIT: Caroline Cassell

Peaceful - Buckers Farmhouse Coggeshall CREDIT: Caroline Cassell

The stunning gardens you can visit in and around Colchester this summer

Floral fantasia team - Molli Christman, Neil Gow, Val Christman and Alan Titchmarsh. The baskets can be seen hanging behind the bench at the show

Floral fantasia team - Molli Christman, Neil Gow, Val Christman and Alan Titchmarsh. The baskets can be seen hanging behind the bench at the show

Perrywood garden centre features at world famous flower show

Aldi and Lidl: What's in the middle aisles from Thursday May 26 (PA/Canva)

Aldi and Lidl: What's in the middle aisles from Thursday May 26 (PA/Canva)

Aldi and Lidl: What's in the middle aisles from Thursday May 26

Background - A garden path. Credit: Canva. Circles - (top) Wishing Well Planter and (bottom) a Lawnmower. Credit: Aldi

Background - A garden path. Credit: Canva. Circles - (top) Wishing Well Planter and (bottom) a Lawnmower. Credit: Aldi

Upgrade your garden ahead of the Chelsea Flower Show with Aldi, B&Q and more

7 BBQs and pizza ovens ideal for Platinum Jubilee celebrations in your garden (Aldi/Canva)

7 BBQs and pizza ovens ideal for Platinum Jubilee celebrations in your garden (Aldi/Canva)

7 BBQs and pizza ovens ideal for Platinum Jubilee celebrations in your garden