Scientific solutions for long-term weed control

Laying weed barrier is a significant investment of time and money, but worth it, as it can save many hours of tedious weeding in future years. DuPont™ GreenVista® high-performance weed barriers are guaranteed to last up to 25 years when properly installed - years longer than other available fabrics.

Well-known for technically-advanced materials such as Kevlar®, Lycra®, and Teflon®, DuPont has successfully applied its scientific expertise to the challenge of long-lasting weed control in the garden. The durable fabrics will not tear or fray and they are 100% permeable to air, water and nutrients. Their unique non-woven structure allows a water flow rate up to 2.5 times greater than other fabrics.

DuPont™ GreenVista® Premium Weed Control is a heavy weight material (68g/m²) designed for use in beds, borders and under decking. It is guaranteed to last 20 years when covered with a 5cm layer of mulch. Available in a 15 metre roll (1 metre wide) priced at £16.99 – or as a flat-packed sheet (3 metres x 2 metres) priced at £8.99.

DuPont™ GreenVista® Pro-advanced Landscape Fabric is an extra-heavy weight material (90g/m²) for using under patios, paths and driveways. The tough fabric helps stabilise the ground underneath, keeping it level, whilst allowing surface water to pass quickly through. It is guaranteed for 25 years when covered with at least 5cm of gravel, paving stones or other landscaping material. Available in a 15 metre roll (1 metre wide) priced at £22.99.

It is advisable to secure fabric to the ground with DuPont™ GreenVista® Anchor Pins: speciallydesigned, u-shaped, galvanised-steel pegs, priced at £3.99 for 10.

DuPont™ GreenVista® weed barrier fabrics are now available in attractive.

Soft on plants, strong on the job

It doesn’t matter how good your plant supports are if the tie used is not appropriate for the job. The award-winning Haxnicks Soft-Tie comes in two widths to ensure that plants stems benefit from the right amount of cushioning, so delicate stems are not bruised or broken.

Soft-Tie has an inner core of galvanised steel wire, which gives it its strength, and an outer coating of a unique, UV-stabilised rubber compound, which gently cushions and protects plant stems from damage. It is easy to secure with just a twist (no need for fiddly knots) and can be easily cut with a sturdy pair of scissors. With a couple of quick twists, the tie may be quickly and easily adjusted to accommodate growing stems. Put a twist between the support and the stem and you have a readymade spacer to prevent damage from chafing. Soft-Tie does not rot, so it lasts much longer than regular ties and it can be washed and re-used. Its natural green colour allows it to blend with foliage making it as unobtrusive as possible.

With a 7mm diameter and a slightly thicker steel core, the Original Soft-Tie (RSP £4.99 for 5m) is the perfect choice for tying up plants that are heavily-laden with growing crops, or for tying up the thicker stems of trees, shrubs, roses, large climbers and fruit bushes. With its superior cushioning and strength, it’s a good choice for any plants in exposed spots that are susceptible to wind damage.

Slim Soft-Tie (RSP £4.99 for 8m) is half the width of Original Slim-Tie, only 3.5mm in diameter, and is designed for use with the thinner, more delicate stems of climbing annuals, young vegetables and shrubs, tall perennials and houseplants.

Cloche sales rocket as more people ‘grow their own’

Haxnicks, specialists in chemical-free plant protection products, report record sales of cloches in 2006.

Retail sales of the Haxnicks’ Easy Tunnel cloches have shown steady growth over the last five years, culminating in an impressive 57% year-on-year increase in unit sales for 2006. Sales of the standardsized tunnels increased by 41%, and sales of the higher-priced, giant size more than doubled – up 138%.

Haxnicks Easy Net Tunnels showed the strongest growth overall, unit sales up 152% in the last five years, indicative of the growing trend for year-round, chemical-free protection of crops and now accounting for 26% of total tunnel cloche sales. Unit sales of Giant Easy Net Tunnels quadrupled their sales over the same period.

“Without doubt, Haxnicks’ sales reflect the increase in popularity of growing your own vegetables, coupled with the rise in all things organic”, comments Damian Cardozo, Haxnicks’ MD. “More and more gardeners are appreciating the horticultural benefits of cloches, whilst seeking chemical-free alternatives for protecting their crops. Haxnicks’ unique products cater for this rapidly expanding market”.

Keep Your Brassicas Pest-free with Extra-fine EcoGreen™

Haxnicks, the plant protection specialist, has launched EcoGreen™ Micromesh which is now the finest gauge garden mesh available from garden centres.

With a mesh size of only 0.6mm x 0.6mm, it provides the best possible protection for crops against a wide range of insect pests, including cabbage root fly, carrot fly, aphids, leaf miners, onion fly, vine weevil and even flea beetles. It is also effective against cutworms and other caterpillars, moths and butterflies, as well as larger pests, such as domestic pets, birds, rabbits and deer. Slugs and snails can be deterred by burying the edges of the mesh in a 10 to 20cm deep trench. Micromesh also provides a physical barrier that gives protection from weather damage caused by strong winds, hail and light frost.

Micromesh helps create the perfect environment for growing fruit and vegetables. Water and liquid feed can be applied directly through the mesh and air circulation is good. Crops benefit from the superior protection by exhibiting stronger growth and a better eating quality.

Haxnicks EcoGreen™ Micromesh is available as a folded sheet – 1.8 metres wide by 5 metres long – and comes in a pale green colour which makes it less obtrusive in the garden. The tough fabric is re-usable and, if looked after, will last for up to 10 years.

Home Grown Potatoes for Everyone

Haxnicks has launched an innovative new product which will enable anyone to grow potatoes, even if they do not have a garden.

The new Haxnicks Potato Patio Planter is a planting bag made from tough, green woven polyethylene. It comes complete with drainage holes and with handles on both sides so it can be easily moved. The planters stand 45cm high and hold approximately 40 litres of compost. They have been designed for use on patios and balconies, or in small gardens where there is no space for growing vegetables.

The re-usable planters come in packs of three. On the reverse of the pack, there are detailed instructions on how to grow and harvest your potatoes.

“More and more people are coming to appreciate the huge difference in the taste of home-grown vegetables,” comments Malcolm Andrews, Haxnicks Sales Director. “The Potato Patio Planter now makes it easy for anyone to grow delicious home-grown spuds. The good news is that no digging is required!”

Haxnicks Potato Patio Planters, priced at £14.99 for a pack of three.

Wrap it up with a Fleece jacket

As autumn approaches and early frosts threaten, Haxnicks Easy Fleece Jackets make it simple to protect exotic plants, hanging baskets and other semi-hardy plants in patio containers.

Instead of struggling with lengths of horticultural fleece, you can now quickly slip a fleece jacket over your plant and the job is done. Easily secured with the integral, rot-proof drawstring and locking toggle, it provides instant protection against frost, harsh weather and pests.

Easy Fleece Jackets are made from a high-grade 30gsm polypropylene fleece which is heavy enough to provide winter protection, but light enough to allow maximum sunlight and moisture to filter through in order to maintain healthy growth. Ideal for over-wintering any tender plant, they come in a soft-green in colour to blend in against garden foliage, making them as unobtrusive as possible.

Haxnicks Easy Fleece Jackets are available in three sizes, priced at £6.99 per pack

Less watering saves water

Laying a high-performance weed barrier can provide additional benefits beyond weed control. The new DuPont™ GreenVista© Premium Weed Control Fabric can significantly improve moisture retention in the soil when properly installed with a 5cm covering of mulch.

The scientifically-engineered fabric is 100% permeable to water with an impressive penetration rate of 240 litres per square metre per second. Moisture is captured below the fabric and evaporation is prevented by the mulch layer above. With a guaranteed lifespan of 20 years, this is an investment of time and money well worth making. DuPont™ GreenVista© Premium Weed Control Fabric is available in a 15 metre roll (1 metre wide) priced at £15.99, or as a 3 metre by 2 metre folded sheet at £7.99.

DuPont™ GreenVista© Premium Weed Control Fabric

Haxnicks Easy Fleece Tunnel

Fleece rescues carrots and cabbages
Fleece can provide an effective barrier to Carrot Fly and Cabbage Root Fly and the quickly erected Haxnicks Easy Fleece Tunnel cloches are ideal for the job. They allow moisture and sunlight to filter through to developing vegetable crops, whilst creating a warm, sheltered and well-ventilated growing environment. The unique, one-piece concertina design takes only minutes to put in place and is available in two sizes, both three metres long. Giant size (60cm wide / 45cm high) priced at £22.99, standard size (45cm wide / 30cm high) priced at £17.99.

Elegant support for summer displays
Make the most of your summer patio displays with the Haxnicks Container Maypole, an attractive plant support designed for larger patio pots. The black steel centre pole is topped with a decorative finial and four rot-proof, polypropylene strings radiate out from the base of the finial to provide an attractive frame for climbing plants such as morning glory and patio clematis. The Haxnicks Container Maypole is priced at £14.99.