TIM’S TOP TIPS

ARTICLE

TIM’S TOP TIPS

TIM WILDERSPIN, HEAD GARDENER AT TERRY JONES SOLICITORS, LOCAL HISTORIAN AND INEXHAUSTIBLE FOUNT OF FACTS, ANSWERS READERS’ QUERIES ON GARDENING AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT ARRIVES IN HIS POSTBAG. YOUR SAVINGS MAY BE AT RISK IF YOU FOLLOW HIS RACING SELECTIONS.

Dear Tim, Should I cut my lawn in winter?

Mo Mowlem, Craven Arms

Yes you certainly can cut your lawn in winter. As long as it’s a dry and frost free day you can whip over your lawn on a high cut without doing any harm and it will make your neighbours green with envy. Keep off the lawn in times of frost and wet weather but by all means get ahead of the game and mow when dry.

Dear Tim, What are the best plants for pots?

Herbie Bush, Asterley

Pots are a great way to add instant impact to a garden. They can be displayed on different levels, moved around, or be more permanent features. Hebes, skimmia, yucca and euonymus plants are all evergreen but don’t forget all the beautiful vibrant coloured bedding plants that will give you a spectacular display, you’ll be the envy of your neighbours. Alternatively grow herbs in pots and play at being James Martin by throwing them on your bbq offerings. Hostas are another great pot plant, dormant in winter but boy do they make a great impact bursting into life in spring giving joy until autumn. Try adding heucheras and bleeding heart to make a stunning combination but be careful, filled pots can be extremely heavy, you don’t want to do yourself a mischief!

Dear Tim, I want to plant a tree for the late HM Queen. Can you recommend something appropriate?

Roy Alwood, Acton Burnell

What a fabulous idea. Planting a tree to celebrate the life and reign of our late Queen. I would suggest a Mountain Ash as they provide beautiful May blossom and produce colourful and spectacular berries like jewels that hang on the tree long after the leaves have fallen allowing birds an abundant feast.

And what about a crab apple? Again beautiful blossom with an array of coloured fruit.

These are good for small gardens however the Queen unlike us was not restricted by size. How I would love to plant a large oak in my garden but my neighbours would not!! Another great tree for small gardens is the tree of life itself that Old Testament favourite the olive tree so popular now in Britain with our mild winters. Plant in ground or in a pot.

Dear Tim, When is the time to cut lavender?

Prue Nearly, Much Wenlock

Wow great question this is one of my favourite jobs and probably one of the most relaxing in the garden as when you start cutting you realese that beautiful calming lavender smell. This is a job often ignored and if it is, you will find your lavender will become woody and ungainly, flowering sparsely and looking tatty next summer. Trim them annually in late summer just after flowering, remove all spent flower stalks and about 1 inch of leaf growth, this will keep it in good stead for next year’s flowering.

Lavender is also known as the 'herb of love,' and was used by women to entice men long before the times of bottled fragrances! It was also used in ancient times in mummification process so if you’re thinking of mummifying your budgie give lavender a go.

Dear Tim, Is it true that the Royal bees were told of the Queens death?

Hector Nectar, Ackleton

“Telling the bees” is a rather strange and ancient tradition, apparently if bees are not told about important family news such as births, deaths, and marriage, it is said bees could stop producing honey, desert their hives, or even die.

Following the Queen’s death, it was reported that Royal beekeeper John Chapple went to Buckingham Palace and Clarence House where the Queen’s hives are kept to inform the bees of her death.

He also asked the bees to be good for their new master, King Charles III.

Let’s hope this ancient tradition continues to bee!!! ■