5 minute read
Gardening
HOW TO GROW A GREENER LAWN
Advice from expert Sue Fisher
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How green was your lawn this year? As in terms of diversity and wildlife, that is, rather than colour bare soil. www.plantlife.org.uk has lots more useful information. –the unseasonably wet summer resulted in the lushest, Autumn is bulb planting season and Narcissi (daff odils) greenest growth I’ve ever seen in August. Yet while many are perfectly at home growing in grass. Do choose with lawnmowers have been busier care to create the right eff ects: while big mixed sacks than usual, others have been of daff odils are temptingly taking a break. priced, the large blowsy Earlier this year, thousands of blooms never look at home gardeners embraced ‘No-mow in a meadow lawn, plus their May’, an inspired initiative big leaves take months to from the charity Plantlife, and die back. Instead, select two were enchanted by the results, or three varieties of smaller with the buzz of lawnmowers narcissi and stagger the being replaced by the hum fl owering times to enjoy colour of countless insects. If you for months: early varieties discovered the delights of a include ‘February Gold’, ‘lazy lawn’, now’s the time ‘Jetfi re’, and our native wild to take the next steps and daff odil or Lent lily Narcissus develop fl ower-spangled pseudonarcissus – all shortmeadow for next year. growing and able to withstand First, ensure the grass the gales, then for late spring, doesn’t get the upper hand plant the single white poet’s and crowd out the fl owers. or pheasant’s eye narcissus, N. Your ally is an attractive poeticus var recurvus which has fl owering annual plant, Yellow Rattle tall stems to bear fl owers above (Rhinanthus major), which reduces the vigour of grass the growing grass. When planting, aim for a natural look by up to 60%. Seed must be sown in autumn and fresh- with bulbs scattered in clumps of varying numbers. I use a collected this year, so do buy from a reputable source. spade for planting, fi rst cutting squares or rectangles of turf At the same time, sow other wildfl ower seed too, like ox on three sides to roll back, exposing the soil, then digging a eye daisy, campion, vetch, and knapweed. Before sowing, large wide hole for each group of bulbs. Finally, batter the cut the grass as short as possible, remove the clippings, turf a bit before rolling back in place to break up the grass and rake the surface vigorously to expose patches of roots so the bulbs don’t lift the turves as their shoots grow. 26 To promote your business to 16,100 readers - call 07450 161929 or email advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk
Making the most of autumn’s leaves
Fallen leaves may be hard work to gather up, but they are a wonderful resource that can be turned into leaf mould, a superb soil conditioner that can be dug in when preparing ground for planting; spread on the surface as a weedsuppressing mulch; and sieved to add to potting compost. If you have lots of trees, give leaf-clearing an order of priority: lawns and plants fi rst, because wet leaves form a thick suff ocating blanket that keeps off light, along with ponds where leaves rot down and can upset the natural balance. Leaves can be left to rot down in situ on bare soil between trees and shrubs, or piled up in corners and under hedgerows as snug hibernation spots for hedgehogs and amphibians. Making leaf mould is very straightforward but takes time – at least a year, often more. Because leaves take longer to break down than other garden waste, keep them separate rather than in a compost bin. This could be an open-topped container made of mesh (which needn’t be fancy – wire mesh wrapped round four posts, for example). Other options are sturdy black plastic sacks or old compost bags, with a few holes pierced in the bottom; hessian sacks; or woven plastic ‘dumpy’ bags that building supplies come in. If dry when gathered up, water your leaves as you fi ll your container as moisture is essential for them to break down and become wonderful, crumbly, mega-useful leaf mould. n
GARDEN DESIGNER & HORTICULTURAL SPECIALIST Inspirational ideas to transform your garden
Sue continues to be available for garden advisory visits and design work, operating according to Covid-19 social distancing guidelines. Gift vouchers available for garden advisory visits. Contact Sue for more details. Sue Fisher 01822 841895 | suefi sher@talktalk.net | www.suefi shergardens.co.uk
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Gardening jobs for the season
Grow some watercress for healthy winter salads using bagged watercress bought from the greengrocer. Place shoots in water to root, then plant into troughs or pots and keep moist. Autumn is the ideal season to plant anything hardy like shrubs, roses, trees, and hedging, while the soil is warm and moist and perfect to encourage lots of root growth. Clean out the greenhouse in advance of winter before it fi lls with plants. Take everything out, wash glass inside and out to make the most of scarce winter light. Good hygiene, and avoiding using the greenhouse for general storage, avoids a lot of potential pest and disease problems. Pot up bedding plants like geraniums and busy lizzies, to bring indoors and enjoy on your windowsill for weeks more colour. Plant spring bedding and bulbs in patio pot and window boxes.
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