Gardening Hints

I must defiantly be getting old, each year passes by much quicker than the previous one and I want to say stop the bus I want to get off. The strange weather we have had this year doesn't help, there are no defined seasons like there used to be (or is that nostalgia and old age talking again), they all seem to roll into one. At the time of writing we are experiencing a real Indian summer, after torrential much needed rain. It’s still in good time to plant spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, snow-drops, crocus, hyacinth etc. We still have a good selection at the garden centre. The summer hanging baskets, pots and tubs at home were still looking good up to the monsoon type weather that hit late October so I will now plant up my Autumn/Winter containers and baskets. I will include tulips and daffodils planted in the containers at different depths to create a longer flowering time in the Spring. We still have plenty of Pansies, Violas, Sweet William, Primroses, Cyclamen etc., at the garden centre for planting now. The lawn still needs cutting because of the warm unseasonable weather, break-off debris and falling leaves before mowing and raise the blades up a notch or two at this time of year. If you get a change its well worth digging over your empty areas of your vegetable patch introducing well rotted manure at the same time. This will definitely improve the quality and structure of the soil in preparation for Spring sowing and planting. Generally after a mild Autumn, there is usually a spell of cold weather, it’s worth identifying the tender plants in your garden and if they are in pots move them to a sheltered area or if planted in the soil get ready to fleece to protect them from hard frosts. If in pots lift them off the ground using pot feet or bricks or wood etc enabling the water to drain freely from the pot, this will prevent water clogging and the water freezing and cracking the pots. Visit our Facebook page, because we have some seriously good bargains in our Christmas section to mirror the situation of the country at the moment. Also we have an extensive range of fireworks for sale at very good prices until the 10th November. Our very fresh non-drop Christmas trees will arrive at the garden centre last week of November. As always I advise you to come early, pick your tree from a large selection, take it home and stand it in a bucket of water outside for at least a week to soak up loads of moisture before bringing indoors. This will keep it fresh throughout the Christmas festivities as long as it’s not sited near a radiator. As always, sit back and relax and enjoy your garden with a drink of your choice. Mine is a sloe gin—cheers!! Source: Nigel, Art Garden Centre. Vicarage Lane.

Grass We are all very familiar with grass in gardens and parks, sports pitches and in the countryside. It is a common plant easily recognised by its long narrow leaves. North Weald Village Hall “Pantomime Like all plants, grass obtains water from the roots in the ground and healthy grass is usually green in 2022” colour, although some types of grass may have hues of grey or even blue. Recently, with little or no rain for long periods, grass has been noticed because its colour has changed from green to yellow and our surroundings have taken on a quite different appearance. But then came the rain and in no time grass made a remarkable recovery. Some has died because of lack of water and excessive heat, but the majority is flourishing once again. As well as the common grasses, the group also includes cereals and bamboo Cereals such as wheat, barley, oats, rice and millet, and sugar cane are grown commercially and used for food and drink (beer and whiskey), for thatching, insulation and manufacture of paper and clothing, fuel, and much more. People use bamboo to build houses, fences and furniture. Many cereal crops are grown locally and you will see them when you drive out of Ongar. Grasses are also an important food for many animals such as cattle, deer, mice, grasshoppers and many caterpillars. Unlike other plants, grasses grow from the base, so when large animals eat grass they usually do not destroy the part that grows and so it is replenished rapidly. Grasses are ancient plants and are known from the time of the dinosaurs. Fossilized dinosaur dung (coprolites) has been found containing grass phytoliths (stones made from silica which occur inside grass leaves). Keith Snow

Poppy Appeal Volunteers Raising money

As with so many local groups and fundraising, there are many people who volunteer tirelessly every year behind the scenes. This year many areas will not have door to door collections for the Poppy Appeal because of the limited number of volunteers. Many of you will know Heather from North Weald Chemist, but you may not be aware of the hard work she has been undertaking for the last seven years along with two of her daughters. Heather, Vanessa and Lauren over the years have collected in Thornwood and Hastingwood the total of £7,144.19 for the Poppy Appeal. This is a fantastic amount and without their hard work and volunteers such as Heather, Vanessa and Lauren this money would not have been raised. Well done Heather, Vanessa and Lauren. You have worked so hard and I know many people will be so very grateful for the time you have spared over the years to raise this essential money.

Friday 9th December 2022 6.30pm for 7.00pm Tickets available from 1st November Adults £10.00 Children £5.00 166 High Road or 17 High Road, North Weald