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Carol Klein
"Add a new dimension with a pond!"
Easy-grow
cosmos
for powder puff blooms JOBS TO DO ! THIS WEEK
✔ Tidy heucheras ✔ Pot up strawberry runners ✔ Take African violet cuttings
Sow sweetcorn now for an early crop!
Quick,
easy
colour!
● Plant a rainbow hedge ● 10 top summer-flowering bulbs ● Discover flamboyant parrot tulips
AboutNOW Shu erstock
Hands off our TV show! BBC blasted for shifting Gardeners’ World, but makes moves to reassure show devotees Words Ian Hodgson
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he continual disruption to screening BBC Gardeners’ World in favour of sport has generated anger among viewers. Two episodes recently made way for the World Snooker Championships and the US Masters golf. Things came to a head after a recent episode was cancelled in favour of the Women’s Euro 2017 qualifying match. Things got so heated that outraged fans of the much-loved BBC2 programme took to social media, launching both an online petition calling for an end to the disruption, and a Facebook discussion page. At the time
of going to press, the online petition had attracted almost 4,040 signatures of support. Points of View focused on frustration that the broadcaster seemingly placed far more value on sports’ programming, rather than on gardening, one of the nation’s top hobbies. The longrunning series regularly attracts more than two million viewers per episode. Many viewers also resented the subsequent loss of topicality at an important time in the gardening calendar, citing the BBC was wasting money by shelving episodes. Others took opportunity to lobby for the programme to be extended to
Proud to help others
60 minutes, rather than remain at the customary 30-minute duration. It was widely reported that Gardeners’ World lead presenter Monty Don told his social media followers he found the show’s hiatus over the coming weeks ‘galling’, while presenter and GN columnist Carol Klein told GN: “It’s good to see people care so passionately about their gardening programmes.” In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said “Gardeners’ World is an important part of the BBC 2 schedule and we do try to minimise disruptions, but our commitment to live sport coverage, which is also enjoyed
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BBC seemingly gives precedence to sporting programmes
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he British Red Cross (BRC) is asking gardeners to stage an event this summer to help raise money for the international emergency charity. Its ‘Proud of Your Garden’ initiative invites those taking part to invite family, friends or neighbours to enjoy an aspect of their garden while raising money for the organisation’s global humanitarian work. You can organise a tea party, serve a tasty barbecue, or just enjoy a sunny afternoon stroll. BRC says the size and type of garden does not matter, events can be centred around a patio, allotment or even a window box! l Want to host an event? To get an organiser’s pack, download invitations for your event, and for further fundraising ideas, visit www.redcross.org.uk/proudofyourgarden
4 Garden News / April 30 2016
Support humanitarian work while enjoying your garden!
by BBC 2 viewers, means our schedule is occasionally subject to change.” The spokesperson also wanted to reassure viewers that episodes of Gardeners’ World would remain consistent with previous years and that they would also be trialling hour-long shows for an eight-week run later this year. l Are you frustrated by the disruption to Gardeners’ World? Do you want to see hour-long episodes become a fixture? Let us know what you think by contacting us at the address on page 53. Have your say at www.change.org/p/bbc-stopbumping-gardeners-world
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Presenters Carol Klein and Monty Don are heartened by viewers’ passion
‘Lost garden’ needs visionary owner
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grounds were embellished over the next 150 years to include architectural structures, water features and immaculate lawns. In the 19th century, a walled garden, terraces and a pinetum were added. In 1920, Mawson was given a free hand, adding staircases, and a rose garden with a central canal. Used as a convalescent home in the Second World War, a fire destroyed the estate’s mansion in 1947 and the garden fell into disrepair. Said David: “It could be wonderfully restored – the basics are all still there.”
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round 42 per cent of councils now charge residents an annual fee for kerbside collections of green waste, new research has found. Although More local authorities local authorities have a statutory are now charging for duty to collect general refuse, green-waste removal there is no obligation to offer a free garden-waste collection service. Most have introduced a levy as a consequence of recent government-driven budget cuts. Although the study by tiller and composting equipment manufacturer Mantis found that 75 per cent of local authorities in the south west now charge for garden waste collection, 53 per cent of authorities, such as Cambridge, Watford and Corby, still offer a green-waste collection service at no charge. Only 18 councils, or 5 per cent of the total, including Darlington and Brighton and Hove don’t offer a kerbside green waste disposal service. The average annual fee for garden-waste collection is £41.22. Londoners pay the highest average of £55, while Harlow District Council, Essex, has the highest levy at £96. This year, 21 more local authorities will introduce a chargeable service, with many more expected to follow. l What are your thoughts on councils charging for greenwaste collection? Do you compost green waste or use a recycling centre? Has charging caused more fly-tipping in your area? Contact GN at the address on page 53.
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Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AB. Tel: 01903 882173; www.arundelcastle.org With more than 32,000 blooms, this year’s will be the venue’s largest tulip display to date. Varieties are planted in an array of ways, from formal patterns, naturalistic displays and pots within the walled gardens. New varieties introduced. l Admission: All tickets from £9.
Forde Abbey Tulip Festival Saturday April 30-Sunday May 15
Chard, Somerset TA20 4LU. Tel: 01460 220231; www.fordeabbey.co.uk Enjoy extensive displays of over 25,000 SOMERSET tulips in borders around the grounds. Over a quarterl Admission: £10 garden only. Children million tulips under 15 free. Dogs on a lead welcome. on display Bulb Extravaganza Day, Friday May 6: RHS and other noted experts talk on various bulbs. Display of historic varieties by the Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society. Q&A sessions. Admission: £12/RHS members £10, including refreshments.
NORTH YORKSHIRE
Constable Burton Hall Tulip Festival
Saturday April 30-Monday May 2, 10am-5pm
Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5LJ. Tel: 01677 450428; Enjoy www.constableburton.com historic More than 6,500 tulips planted varieties annually, set among spring displays of shrubs and perennials. Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society will display a selection of unusual historic tulip varieties. l Admission: Adults £4, concessions £3, children under 16 50p. Dogs on lead welcome. on Hall Constable Burt
Charge for green waste
Mid-April-mid-May, 10am-5pm daily
Tulips front The Rill Pond at Arundel Castle
Forde Abbey
n estate with a derelict garden is being offered at a ‘knock-down’ price to an owner willing to restore the once-magnificent grounds. Dunira Estate in Perthshire was described by designer Thomas Mawson as ‘one of the most beautiful estates it has ever been my pleasure to study’, but is now a ruin, with just vestiges of its former glory remaining. Owner David Hustwayte took it on eight years ago, but reported it too ambitious and has put the 17.5 acre site back on the market for £750,000. Initially bought by politician Henry Dundas in 1784, the
Arundel Castle Tulip Festival
WEST SUSSEX
Chenies Manor
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Open daily, but on Monday May 2, 2-5pm, for special tulip day
Chenies, Buckinghamshire WD3 6ER. Tel: 01494 762888; www.chenies manorhouse.co.uk This Grade-I listed Tudor manor house with formal gardens is famous for its displays of tulips. Christies Garden of the A fun family day, Year 2009. Themed surrounded by gardens and yew maze. tulips! Vintage tractor exhibition and tractor-trailer rides for children. Refreshments, shop, and plants for sale. l Admission: Garden/exhibits only £6, children £4. No dogs. Chenies Manor
Enthusiasm and a brave heart are needed to restore the garden, says current owner
Arundel Castle
Dazzling displays of more than 100,000 tulips are being staged at various locations this week
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Dunira Estate, Perthshire
Plants & Pla ce s
April 30 2016 / Garden News 5
WHAT TO DO Meet the tea m
Jo Wright
Jo has an established garden with fruit trees, plus an allotment.
Ian Hodgson
Melissa Mabbitt
Karen Murphy
A Kew-trained horticulturist, Ian is also a garden designer.
THIS WEEK
Having previously worked at the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden, Melissa has RHS qualifications.
Keen fruit, veg and container gardener, Karen also loves wildlife.
Create a container pond Include some summer classics
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growing over the surface provides a bit of shade and shelter to any wildlife lurking. While oxygenators keep water healthy, marginals provide colour and life. A barrel-type container needs sealed edges – if you need to, buy a length of pond liner and fasten it neatly around the inside. It can be expensive to stock a large pond with many plants and aquatic features such as waterfalls and rock formations, but small container ponds keep that cost down, and four or five plants will suffice. Most good garden centres have everything you need right there to help you. Follow our easy guide below.
Ponds will be silty at first, but will soon se le
Photos: Neil Hepworth, unless stated
here’s no doubt a water feature adds another dimension to your garden. Not only is it a way to expand your collection of plants, trying out a whole new range of water-loving species, but it’s also a boon for wildlife. If you haven’t got a large garden, container ponds are a great way to experiment with the idea. No matter how small you make it, it acts in the same way as a large pond. They’re extremely easy to create, too – pick out a watertight container deep enough to perhaps add one or two water lilies and oxygenating plants on the bottom. Lilies’ foliage
Garden News RECOMMENDS Classic plants
Ste p by ste p What you need:
Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag)
A marginal plant with large , beautiful, yellow iris flowers.
Got 5 min utes?
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Take pond plants out of their pots and pot them up into pond baskets, using aquatic compost. Top with pea gravel and place on the stones.
3
Put a rock that just breaks the surface in so birds and aquatic animals have a ledge to stand on. Put one on the outside too. Fill up with water.
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Put in stones and place oxygenating plants and waterlilies at the bo om too, planted in pond baskets. Fill pot with rain water by two thirds.
Alamy
l Bricks or stones l Aquatic compost l Pond baskets l Watertight container l Pea gravel l A mix of pond plants l Rain water
If you’re like us here at GN, you’ll have greenhouses, windowsills and cold frames full of seedlings. It’s really important to see if they need thinning out. Seedlings too
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Hippuris vulgaris (mare’s tail)
Underwater oxygenator to keep a healthy pond.
Thin seedlings
close together will compete with each other for nutrients, light and water. Thin out to around 2cm (1in), taking away weaker ones, or to one healthy seedling per module.
April 30 2016 / Garden News 31
What to do this week
IN YOUR FLOWER GARDEN To start off, cut a few leaves down to the base
Garden News RECOMMENDS
Three other plants for whole-leaf cuttings
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Gloxinia Make sure compost is just damp
They’re easy to propagate from leaf cuttings
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Firm each cutting in lightly with your fingers. Water well and allow to drain. To root, the leaves need warmth – about 20C (68F) – so place the cuttings in a heated propagator or seal them in a plastic bag in a warm, bright place indoors. However, these cuttings can be prone to rotting, so don’t over water (compost should be damp, but not soggy) and take them out to air about twice a week. Remove any leaves that appear to be rotting. When plantlets appear, bring them out into the air and let them grow on until they are large enough to handle and pot on. A similar method of propagation can be used for leafy succulents such as crassula. The only difference is that succulent cuttings should be left out in the open air for a day so they form a callous before potting, and then left in the open air rather than covered over, as they need a drier environment.
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Peperomia
Semi-succulent grown for its shiny green or red leaves, often variegated.
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rowing and flowering all year, you can take cuttings from African violets at any time, but spring seems to encourage a flush of growth that benefits propagation, so I get them going now. Saintpaulias are easy to propagate from whole leaf cuttings, which need minimal preparation. Unlike streptocarpus or begonias, there’s no need to cut the leaves. Use a free-draining mix of compost to put your cuttings in – this helps stop them rotting before they have a chance to grow. Use either a cuttings compost or a 50:50 mix of multi-purpose compost and sand or Perlite. Fill a pot or tray with the compost and firm it down. With a sharp knife, cut a few leaves from the parent plant right down at the base. Insert each one into the compost using a pencil or dibber so that the leaf stalk is covered and the base of the leaf is just touching the surface.
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Make more African violets
Large, velvety leaves with brightlycoloured, ruffled flowers.
Kalanchoe
A flowering succulent with pretty white, pink or coral blossom.
April 30 2016 / Garden News 33