Archive | February, 2010

2 Ways to Kill Your Slugs

By on February 28, 2010 in Garden Equipment Tips

I have always wanted a new way to kill the slugs in my garden and now I have discovered how. The ‘old mangle trick’ seems to be the one for me, put the slug between the rollers and give the handle a good old turn. Environmentally friendly (if not in the slugs mind) this mangle [...]

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

Growing Evergreen Hart’s Tongue Fern

By on February 28, 2010 in Gardening, Tips for Growing Series

Asplenium scolopendriums or spleenworts are a good contrast plant in a shady fern border. The shape of the long evergreen fronds gave rise to the common name Hart’s Tongue Fern. Growing Hart’s Tongue Ferns They provide year round interest being ferns with simple, undivided fronds. The leaves are 4-24 ” long and 2-3″ broad. Once [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Top Ten Old Roses

By on February 27, 2010 in Flowers and Plants, Top Ten Tips

Repeat flowering old Rose varieties do what it says in their name whilst the first 5 in my Top Ten only flower once per year but still inspire. Old Rose Top Ten Celsiaha  this Damask rose is strong and vigourous with good clusters of large, lasting, pale pink flowers. Enfant de France is a compact [...]

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

Plant Thickly for Maximum Effect

By on February 27, 2010 in Gardening, Tips Hints and Ideas

Why sow one when 100 will create a staggering display? Why plant in small numbers when a surplus can be used for a flower arrangement or given away to friends and neighbours? Why not garden to ‘shock and awe’ by maximising the impact of colour in a bed or border? Why read this idiot if [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Crocus Planting Depth

By on February 26, 2010 in Flowers and Plants

These crocus photos were taken at St Johns College, Oxford. Raindrops add a bit of interest though it is tempting to wipe the mud off. Best Planting depth Plant the corms about 4 inches deep, with the wider bottom of the bulb at the bottom. Plant Bulbs about 3 to 4 inches apart. For best [...]

Read full story • Comments { 3 }

Organic Control of Pests on Apples & Pears

By on February 26, 2010 in Environmental Gardening, Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs, Pests, Problems and Health

‘Understand the pest and you are part way to controlling the problem.’ Aphids Of the many species the green or rosy apple aphids and the woolly aphids plus the pear-bedstraw aphid can be very troublesome. Aphids mate in Autumn leaving eggs to over winter on spurs crevices and tips. Heavily infested shoot tips and flower [...]

Read full story • Comments { 2 }

Grow Abeliophyllum White Forsythia for Spring Scent

By on February 26, 2010 in Books, Trees and Shrubs

Abeliophyllum distichum also called White Forsythia is more refined than traditional yellow Forsythia to which it is distantly related, both being part of the Olive family. Growing White Forsythia Abeliophyllum distichum AGM  is native to Korea and produces clusters of fragrant, creamy white flowers which emerge in late winter or early spring before the leaves. [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Bush Fruit, Cages, Siting and Soils

By on February 26, 2010 in Fruit, Vegetables & Herbs, Garden Equipment Tips

You have grown some bush fruit in an organic garden and as the berries ripen all the birds you have fed through winter decide to feast on your well grown crops. What a good job you protected them in a fruit cage! If you do not have a fruit cage yet, you can buy a [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }

Growing Monkey Flowers Mimulus & Musk

By on February 25, 2010 in Flowers and Plants, Tips for Growing Series, Tips Hints and Ideas

You can learn strange facts about nature from Gardener’s names for the different plants. Monkey-flowers are so named because some  flowers are shaped like a monkeys face and others have painted monkey faces.  Some species of Monkey flower (Latin name Mimulus) have a wet aromatic smell hence another gardeners name ‘Musk’. However the item that [...]

Read full story • Comments { 1 }

Beginning Gardening Getting your Soil Right

By on February 25, 2010 in Gardening, Novice Gardeners Advice and Pointers

‘The Gardeners’ Book: For the Gardener Who’s Best at Everything’ is really grand for novice gardeners taking up gardening for the first time or those seeking to grow some green fingers. Improve Your Own Soil’s Consistency Great soil contains air, water and nutrients appropriate for the plants you want to grow. Digging soil over introduces [...]

Read full story • Comments { 0 }