GARDEN TIPS

Words: Transition Chesterfield

Images: Robert Nixon Betts

There’s quite a lot to do in the garden around now, but pottering around it in summer is one of the rewards for the effort put in over the rest of the year.

If you have to water, do so in the evening when there will be less evaporation and the water has a chance to soak into the soil. Using a hose is more efficient than a sprinkler as the water can be directed exactly where it is needed; giving the ground a good soaking once a week is better than a less thorough one every day, which encourages roots to form near the surface. It’s more important that fruit and vegetables are kept well-watered than ornamental plants, some of which produce a better display when slightly stressed anyway.

Check for signs of disease on plants prone to them, i.e. blight on tomatoes, clematis wilt or apple scab, and treat accordingly.

Prune spring flowering shrubs so they don’t get leggy; most birds will have finished nesting, so you can also trim hedges without disturbing them.

Keep watering all plants in containers (indoor and outdoor), and feed them regularly. Anything in growbags (especially tomatoes) are prone to problems if watered erratically, so try to have a routine; aim to keep the soil moist but not wet. Plants transpire water all the time, so don’t fall into the trap of thinking if the sun's not shining plants won’t need watering – any breeze or wind will also increase the amount they use.

A lot of vegetables should be maturing about now; keep an eye on them, as unreliable weather may cause some to bolt (i.e. form flowers and seeds) - harvest these before this happens, which usually renders them useless anyway. Allow a plant or two to flower if you want to collect seeds, which is what you do with peas and beans anyway.

Check tomatoes regularly and pinch out any shoots between branches and the stem, which can appear with astonishing speed.

If fences or garden furniture need painting or treatment with a preservative, try to do it in a dry spell. Take lots of pictures of the garden, especially parts which you think could be improved. That way, you’ll have a good reference to use when you come to think about moving things or buying new plants.

There may still be some vegetable plantlets in garden centres, so it’s not too late to plant some for harvesting this year. But check that they're not too leggy and make sure they have been well looked after – weedy looking seedlings rarely recover.

Salads generally mature quite quickly, so you can sow some every week or two to provide a succession of crops – ‘little and often’ is the best way. Children like to see instant results, so use these as a way of introducing them to gardening.

Two Grosfillex Sunloungers: £60 White resin material, will fold for storage. VGC. Includes blue/white cusions. £60 the pair.

T: 01246 568774 (Acorn Ridge)

Interiors Doors: £Free

3 x Panel interior white doors with latches and handles. Good Condition. Free and buyer to collect from Holymoorside.

T: 07946 460 362 (Holymoorside)

Flymo Hover Vac 250: £40 Two years old, pristine condition.

T: 07870 139902 (Brampton)

Supra Keysafe P500: £30 Current price £85.

T: 07714 465158 (Holymoorside)

Jigsaws: £10

Large piece jigsaws 500 and 200 pieces £10 for the lot.

T: 07714 465158 (Holymoorside)

Zimmer Walking Frame: £15 With seat.

Ikea Sofa Bed: £50

Ikea Lycksele 2 seat sofa bed. No cover. Great condition.

T: 07762 416747 (Walton)

Oak Extending Table: £140

Cambridge Square to rectangle solid oak oiled table. 2' 8" square then extends.

T: 07783 629329 (Brampton)

Max Kare Foot Massager: £25 With full roller, heat & bubbles. Only used once.

T: 07789173891 (Walton)

Vintage wooden ladder: £10

1975 wooden ladder, 15 wired rungs, 13'' long, always stored indoors.

T: 07765 036121 (Ashgate).

Hardwood door: £10

9 wooden panels, 195 x 83 x 4.3cm. Always been protected from weather.

T: 07765 036121. (Ashgate)

Preserving Jars: £Free

Large selection of preserving jars. Various sizes. Free to good home.

T: 07932 402645

Garden Hose: £5

Approx 30m with spray nozzle end tap. Ideally needs reel.

T: 01246 568774 (Acorn Ridge)

CGP Books New: £4 each

Head start to A-level Chemistry

Head start to A-level Biology

T: 01246 204959 (Walton)

Black Metal Mailbox: £20

T: 07870 139902 (Brampton)

T: 07714 465158 (Holymoorside)

Shark Lift-away Cleaner: £50 Upright corded cleaner. VGC.

T 01246 224002. (Brampton).

Bosch Cordless Vac: £80 Athlet series 6 28v cordless vac cleaner. Hardly used.

T 01246 224002.(Brampton).

Ink Cartridges: £15 each

1x Canon 541XL Colour and 1x HP 351 Tri-colour. Both brand new and sealed, no longer required due to change of printers.

T: 01246 206760 (Brampton)

Mountfield Mower: £120

M6 PD/ES lawn mower. Intermittent starter, runner or spares.

T: 07970 707092 (Walton)

Restoration Projects: £10

Welsh Look Music Cabinet W18in

D16in H32in, Mahogany Box

Glass Front W11in D6.5 in H32in, Mahogany Writing Box W18.5 D10in

H6.5 in. £10 each

T: 01246 566748 (Holymoorside)

Bromley Gray Sideboard: £80

From Dunhelm Mill, a few months old, like new. Presently £209, accept £80. H 80cm x W 90cm x D 33cm

T: 07801 125652 (Walton)

Gelert 4-man Tunnel Tent: £50

Used twice, as new. Cost £150.

T: 07787 436523 (Holme Hall area)

Zimmer Walking Frame: £10

T: 07714 465158 (Holymoorside

Sylvanian Families: £Various Canal boat £30 (Boxed); Sylvanian car and caravan £25; Sylvanian Hotel £45. All with associated characters and accessories.

T: 01246 566743 (Holymoorside)

McAllister Petrol Mower: £50

Power driven. Dirty but VGC

T: 07779 557397 (Linacre)

McAllister Strimmer: £10

Needs new chord but in VGC

T: 07779 557397 (Linacre)

Thermarest: £20

Self-inflation mat, single. Top of the range. As new

T: 07787 436523 (Holme Hall area)

Ladies Citizen ECO Watch: £25

Diamond, cost £329, bargain.

T: 01246 569274 (Brookside)

Book: History of the World: £10

The Times Complete History of the World by Richard Overy. Was £75

T: 01246 569274 (Brookside)

Ted Baker Manicure Case: £20

Leather.

T: 01246 569274 (Brookside)

Cross Stitch materials: £Free Assortment of cross stitch material including tapestry/embroidery frame. Free to good home.

T: 07932 402645 (Brampton)

Two Dining Chairs: £10

White painted wooden chairs with padded seats

T: 01246221898 (Chesterfield)

Keysafe: £30

Supra P500 Pro Keysafe.

T: 07714 465158 (Holymoorside)

Golf Gear: £Various

Ben sayers wheeled golf travel bag new £20, Pro-x wheeled golf travel bag £15 and Titleist carry bag with carry straps and stand £15.

T: 01246 568028 (Somersall)

Oriental Bedside Cabinets: £199

A pair of oriental styled red bedside cabinets, boxed, still current items on Wayfair selling at £500, brand new and unused.

T: 07813 020701 (Brampton)

Adverts for items (and groups of items) under £200 are free. Adverts for over £200 are £5 which we donate to Ashgate Hospice (picture items donation priced on request).

Please contact:

E: paul@s40local.co.uk

T: 07764 801080