FREE! Apr il Issue 1 8
Give Your Garden A Spring Makeover FUCHSIA
ESSENTIAL EXTRAS
A look at some essential weed control products Worth £ £4.99
April’s plant of the Month
TOMATOES How to grow from seed or plug
Don’t forget your free packet of seeds with ever order!
DAVID ALLISON
Vegetable advice from the National Vegetable Society expert
TOP TIPS | HOW TO GUIDES | EQUIPMENT | TOOLS | EXPERT ADVICE
PROMO: MAG18
lead the good life welcomes you... Creating wonderful displays with Fuchsia, the plant of the month for April, is just one project to do now. They’re very popular garden plants and look great in numerous locations, a must have for any garden! It’s not just flowers that feature strongly this month but vegetables too. With the step by step guide to growing your own tomatoes and your free packet of seeds containing three varieties of delicious and easy to grow tomatoes there really is no excuse not to give them a go.
One Get One Free products on our website (offer expire Sunday 8th April).
I’m really pleased to say that we’ve had loads of great photos from you all this month. You’ve all been really busy. Keep sending them in, everyone here loves to see e what you been up to in your gardens. Finally now that the he clocks have sprung forward you’ve got even more time tto o spend in your garden which is why we’ve got loads of Buy uy
Stephen Mackley
It couldn’t be easier. Just hit the
using the plot... The vegetable expert, David id Allison gives us some tips ng. on what we should be doing. Page 12-13
That just leaves me to say enjoy the latest free issue of Lead the Good Life and have a fantastic month of gardening!
This month our plant portfolio tells you everything you need to know about fuchsias. Page 04-07
nds Plus all ki to buy. s a i s h c u F f o
Editor
Grow yoouut rhowotown! This month find s! grow your own tastyy tomatoe on page 08-09
to add to your basket.
Design Ideas Don’t forget our design ideas. This month we look at bulbs on page 10-11
cious Plus a deli p recipe tomato sou on page 14 How to Grow Fuchsias 04-05
le host o h w a s u l P ips! of handy t
02 | Welcome
fantastic fuchsias
Plant Portfolio Fuchsias 06-07
Tools for the Job
Grow Your Own Tomatoes 08-09
Th month we look at the top This essential extras to rid your garden of esse unw unwanted weeds. on page 16
Design Ideas Bulbs 10-11
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Using the Plot David Allison, Vegetable Ex pert 12-13
Recipe of the Month Tasty Tomato Soup 14 Top Jobs April: Bulbs 15
Reader’s Corner April 2012 16-17
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Tools for the Job Essential Extras 18-19
The Big Question Composting 20-21 Ask the Expert Stephen Answers 22 P&D Watch Nitrogen Deficiency 23
In this Issue | 03
How to Grow
How to Grow...
Fuchsias
Everything you need to know to grow your own Fuchsias... Difficulty: Full Sun
Partial Shade
Hardy
Half Hardy
Fuchsias are popular due to their striking, pendent flowers that are borne over a long period from summer to autumn. They can be used as bedding, in containers or planted as specimen plants in borders and some hardy varieties can even be used as hedges. In general all fuchsias require the same care. Plant fuchsia in a sheltered position away from cold, drying winds with shade during the hottest part of the day and ensure the soil is fertile, moist and well-draining. Container grown plants should be planted with a loam-based compost and watered adequately to keep the compost moist but not sodden; fuchsias hate being left standing in water. There are three popular types of fuchsia which you are most likely to come across in the market. Half-hardy
04 | How to Grow
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Flowering Season fuchsia should be overwintered under protection and kept in a frost-free environment. Hardy fuchsia should be planted with their stem base 5cm (2in) beneath the surface of the soil. In autumn protect their crown by mulching with compost or straw and apply a top dressing in spring and summer. Standard fuchsia need to be protected during winter as their main stem is open to harsh conditions. Even so they make an interesting feature and as long as you apply a balanced, liquid fertiliser in summer your plants will explode with blooms. Fuchsias are most usually trained into bushes and standards. Both are easy to form and when done correctly can create a focal point and draw the eye further into your garden.
BUSH FUCHSIAS
STANDARD FUCHSIA
You can start to train bush fuchsia as soon as your plants have developed three sets of leaves. Simply pinch out the growing tip to encourage sideshoots. These sideshoots can then be pinched out once they have produced two sets of leaves. This process forces your plants to become bushy and can be continued for as long as you like. Pinching out shoots also increases the number blooms although can hinder flower production if carried out over a long period of time. For this type you can carry out regenerative pruning by cutting back to the base, this will help reform and revive sick looking plants.
Standard plants take a little while longer to produce (up to 18 months). To start with let the tip grow until sideshoots appear at which point you can pinch out all the sideshoots taking care not to remove the leaves from the main stem. You’ll need to support your plant by tying the stem to a cane. To ensure that your plant grows tall quickly you’ll need to re-pot when the roots start to fill the container. Continue this process until the desired length of stem has been reached. Once your fuchsia has reached the desired height you can train the ‘head’ of your standard the same way as a bush fuchsia above. There are four heights of standard trees as follows: mini standard 15-25cm (6-10in), quarter standard 25-45cm (10-18in), half standard 45-75cm (18in-1½ft) and full standard 75cm-1m (1-3½ft).
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How to Grow | 05
£9.99
Plant of the Month
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ITEM: 401999 Giant Flowered Fuchsias - 12 Plug Plants
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.99 CP: £ 8 .9 Item : 40 9 053 Lad 6 Clim y Bo bing othb y Coll Fuch ecti on sia
Fuchsia The genus of flowering plants in this issues Plant of the Month. Find out why...
The Fuchsia was discovered in the Caribbean in 1703 by the French botanist Charles Plumier who named it after one of the fathers of botany, Leonhart Fuchs. It originates from South America regions although can be found growing naturally in North and Central America and in parts of New Zealand. Though the majority of Fuchsias are shrubs or sub shrubs growing no more than 4m (13ft) one New Zealand species, Fuchsia excorticata (Kotukutuku), has been classified as a tree growing up to 15m (49ft) tall. Fuchsias can be deciduous or evergreen and are a very popular garden plant due to their exquisite flowers which can be several shades of pinks, purples and whites. They bloom throughout summer and autumn although if you find a tropical species to grow in your conservatory you’ll be treated to all year round displays.
06 | Plant of the Month
The flowers are followed by small black edible fruits whose flavour has been likened to that of a grape. Fuchsia contains about 110 species and numerous garden cultivars of varying colours and forms. Here are a few of my favourites. ‘PEACHY’ Peachy is a wonderful free flowering, trailing variety ideal for baskets and containers. It produces large white buds which burst open to reveal large double pink flowers which turn orange with maturity. ‘QUASAR’ Quasar is another trailing variety which is perfect for hanging baskets and containers. It has large double flowers with silky lilac petals surrounded by white sepals and light green foliage.
‘SNOWCAP’ Snowcap is an extremely beautiful and delicate variety with white petals and ruffled skirt which almost gives the impression that they’re little fairies or ballerinas! This is a double flowering, trailing variety that reaches 9 x 30cm and will flower from July through to October. ‘LADY BOOTHBY’ Lady Boothby is a prolific high climber and is the world’s only climbing Fuchsia. Its bold dark pink and purple flowers always create impact. Perfect for growing against archways, walls, fences or trellises to create a wall of bold beauty that has a long flowering period from June to September.
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“A very popular garden plant due to their exquisite flowers which can be several shades of pinks, purples and whites.” 08719 77 55 55 | www.gardenbargains.com
Plant of the Month | 07
Grow Your Own
Grow Your Own...
Tomatoes
£1.10
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Is there anything more delicious than a home grown tomato? Difficulty: I don’t think so and as they are one of the most popular greenhouse crops to grow in the UK I’m sure you’ll agree. Tomatoes were the first plant that I ever grew and I soon discovered that they can be thwart with problems however when grown well you can harvest your crop from June all the way through to October. Overcoming all the adversity to pick that first ripe tomato of the season is honestly the most rewarding and satisfying thing you can do in your garden. STARTING OFF FROM SEEDS OR PLUG PLANTS? There isn’t a right or a wrong way of growing tomatoes in fact there are benefits to both using seeds and plug plants. If you want lots of plants then grow from seed, if you take an average 6 x 4 greenhouse you will be able to accommodate about 8 tomato plants. You’ll be able to save the excess seeds for about three years if they stored correctly. Seeds are cheaper than plugs too and you get more of them so the saving is greater. However if you don’t have the time, experience or resources to grow from
08 | Grow Your Own
seed then plug plants are for you. With plug plants the initial hard work has been done for you making them a good choice for beginner gardeners who might be a little bit apprehensive about growing from seed. The growing period for plug plants starts earlier meaning your plants can get a head start. However be cautious, when planting them outside you’ll need to avoid the last frost. SOWING & PLANTING IN 3 EASY STEPS Step One There are two methods of sowing tomatoes; in a seed tray or in individual pots. Start by filling your containers up with compost, tap it down and water the compost. If you’re using a seed tray sprinkle the seeds evenly across the surface. If you’re using individual pots sow about 3 per pot. Using individual pots saves time and effort because you only have to pot them on, whereas with a seed tray you’ll have prick them out and then pot them on. Once you’ve sown the seeds lightly cover with compost and gently water.
Step Two Tomato seeds will germinate about 11 days after sowing. You’ll notice two little leaves poke up through the surface of the compost. These leaves are call cotyledons or “Baby Leaves” it’s the second set of leaves, the “True Leaves”, which you have to look out for. Once these develop you are ready to prick them out into individual 9 cm pots. Do this by gently holding the “Baby Leaves” and lifting them out with a pencil. Dibble a hole in the centre of the pot and carefully lower in the seedling. If you’ve used individual pots you can pot them up into 9 cm pots when they reach about 3 inches tall. Your plug plants might need potting into 9 cm pots when you receive them. Step Three In about 8 weeks when your plants reach 6 – 8 inches (15 – 20cm) they’ll be ready to plant out into their final position. You can use grow bags, containers or simply plant them directly into the ground. The first thing you’ll need to do is set up a frame work to help train your plants. Bamboo canes are perfect for this. Next add some good quality compost
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ITEM: 900480 Mar mande Tomato Seeds
or well rotted manure and a little sprinkle of balanced fertiliser to get them off to a flying start. Plant them about 8 inches apart, water in well and in about 12 weeks you’ll be ready to pick you first tomato. GROWING ON: SOME KEY POINTS Many tomato varieties are tall, trailing types and will need constant support, so on planting tie the stem to the bamboo cane and adjust as the plant grows. As they start to grow taller it’s recommended that the side shoots are removed. If your variety is a bush type you’ll not need to do this.
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All tomatoes are heavy feeders and enjoy regular drinks of water especially when the flowers start to be produced. Water regularly and feed with a balanced fertiliser every 10-14 days. Ensure the watering is done equally to avoid cracking fruit and blossom end rot. When the fruits start to be produced use a high potash fertiliser to maximise fruit production. Once the plants have set four to seven trusses pinch out the growing tip to force the plant into putting its energy into fruit production.
Some great varieties:
‘Moneymaker’
is a great variety for beginner gardeners. It grows equally well outside or in a greenhouse and produces a heavy crop of medium-sized fruit.
‘Gardener’s Delight’ produces long trusses of small, exceptionally sweet fruit. It’s an excellent tomato variety to grow outside and loves a nice sunny patio. Both the RHS and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany have recommended this variety as one of the best to grow.
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‘Marmande’
is the tomato for those of you who don’t have a greenhouse. It’s a continental variety which prefers to be grown outside and is perfectly suited for our climate. ‘Marmande’ produces large, fruits, very few seeds, firm flesh and unique flavour making it perfect for sandwiches.
greenhouse. This variety is resistant to greenback and when you grow it yourself I think you’ll agree that it truly disserves the Award of Garden Merit from the RHS.
‘Alicante’
is a popular variety which matures early and produces outstanding medium sized fruits with exceptional flavour and texture. ‘Alicante’ can be successfully grown outdoors in soil or in grow bags in a
Grow Your Own | 09
Design Ideas
8 Summer Bulbs
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ITEM: 200343 Summer Flowering Bulb Collection (150 bulbs)
Summer is a time for explosions of colours and nothing gives you more vividness in your garden than summer flowering bulbs. Even if you don’t have a lot of room in your garden you can use containers such as terracotta pots or even hanging baskets for smaller bulbs such Brodieae. Here is a list of some of my favourites.
Lilies
Lilies are among the most impressive of garden bulbs and are popular with many gardeners. There are many cultivars and most will grow well in partial shade or sun and are ideally planted in a well-drained, fertile soil.
Gladioli
Gladioli are versatile plants and work equally well in contemporary or traditional gardens. Gladioli have an extensive range of colours making them perfect for cut flowers, herbaceous borders, containers or bedding.
Dahlias
Dahlias are invaluable for the summer colour, both in the gardens and as cut flowers. They have a very long flowering period and can often flower until the first frosts. Their variety of flower structures and colours plus the addition of some excellent recent introductions means that Dahlias are becoming more and more popular.
Liatris
Liatris really stand out in beds and borders. They stand over 1m in height making them ideal mid to back border plants. They produce frilly purple spikes which sway to create extra interest and intrigue as though they’re enticing you further into the garden.
01
02
10 | Design Ideas
03
04
Brodiaea
It’s true what they say, size isn’t everything; a phrase that has never been more true when it comes to Brodiaea. Although it’s small and low growing it more than makes up for it with its masses of vivid blue striped flowers. They look great clumped together in terracotta pots.
Freesias
Freesias are a delightful summer flowering plant. They produce clusters of brightly coloured, scented flowers that look great as a specimen plant. For something a little bit different why not grow in a container and keep as a house plant.
Crocosmia
Crocosmia is a close relative to the Freesia but for me it’s far more exciting. They produce masses of fiery flowers on tall spikes that hover over the lance shaped leaves to give the effect of flames. They originate from South Africa but are perfectly happy in our beds and border over here in the UK.
Acidanthera
For me it’s the contrast between the pure white petals and the deep purple centres which make Acidanthera one of my favourite all time flowers. They have a beautiful star shaped flower that produces the most intoxicating scent making Acidanthera a delicate yet powerful addition to your garden. I recommend planting them in containers from April through to early June for displays in late summer through to autumn.
01 | Lily ‘Stargazer’ Bulbs x 10 02 | Glamourous Gladioli - 30 Mixed 03 | Dahlia Flowered Mixed Zinnia 04 | Crocosmia 50 x corms
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Design Ideas | 11
Using the Plot by David Allison
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using the plot with david allison
ITEM: 900533 Winter Vegetable Seed Collection
The vegetable expert tells us the must do’s this April... Weather permitting we should really be motoring now. Pre-chitted potatoes can be planted, either in containers or in the plot. They are a hungry crop so make sure the land has been well dug, heavily manured and fertilizer applied, to save feeding later when the crop is growing away. Whilst the tubers or growth is still under the soil there’s no problem but if a late frost is forecast after the shoots have emerged either cover with soil or fleece until the danger of frost has passed. This applies not only
to potatoes but any frost tender crop. Towards the end of the month is a good time to plant maincrop seed potatoes, in very cold parts of the country delay planting for a couple of weeks. As they grow earth them up gradually until the plants are about 10inches tall this will prevent any light reaching the tubers causing toxic greening. If you require parsnips and carrots for the Autumn
April is the last month for sowing the seed particularly if you are growing without overhead protection either in the open ground, containers or raised beds. Try the very sweet, crunchy baby carrots, the taste is incomparable to the supermarket offerings. They are also an ideal ccrop for containers and their green feathery foliage the makes them ideal for mixing mak in with a few bedding flowers such as marigolds. Contrary to popular belief carrots, like all root vegetables, love ground that has been
freshly manured. The only problem is if it dries it will form hard lumps causing the roots to fork. We can get quite warm sunny days in April, so keep an eye on the greenhouse temperature, and open doors or vents on warm days to prevent crops from getting stressed. “Damp down” to keep the air humid, mist spray if plants look as though they are transpiring or becoming limp. Automatic roof vents are a must for those of us who have to work away during the
daytime. Some greenhouse heaters can have the heating element switched off but still allow the fan to circulate air to prevent botrytis. Whilst space is always at a premium in the greenhouse at this time of year give plants and seedlings plenty of space. Those sown or planted too close together can succumb to “damping off” and will be spindly, weak specimens. I have some early new potatoes growing in a florist bucket in the heated
greenhouse for late spring when they cost a fortune in the shops. Whilst they take up a fair bit of space they don’t cost me a fortune and are my one “indulgence”. There should be enough food in the compost to take them through to maturity by end April /early May If not already done this is the last month to prepare a runner bean trench. Open up a deep trench, fill with kitchen waste, top off with well rotted manure or compost from bins, apply a
long lasting fertilizer then back fill and allow to settle ready for planting early June onwards. This enables the beans to have a deep moisture retentive root run to produce great crops all season. April is the last chance to sow leeks for cropping this season. Sow the seed thinly in a prepared seed bed, cover the seeds with ½ inch of soil spacing the rows 6inch apart. Once the plants are about 8 inches high and as thick as a pencil they are ready to transplant.
Trimming their roots and leaves when planting out has no proven benefits and only adds to the shock of transplanting. I never use a dibber as this only succeeds in compressing the soil at the bottom of the planting hole. It is far better to make a planting hole large enough to accept the root system with a trowel, water then backfill. The practice of leaving the planting hole to gradually fill itself was what we used to do, on the farm, years ago purely on financial grounds as it saved labour.
quick jobs! sowing Continue oad beans br peas and ional ss e c for suc ave , if you h g croppin ows, r more r space fo arly till too e but it’s s and dwarf er for runn ns. ea b h Frenc
12 | Using g the Plot
Onion s ets and s set off in pots hallots last mo can be nth pla weathe nted out if th e r perm its. If th soil is t e oo wet or from sp ring ra cold ins cloc are ide hes al up and for drying wa the soil rming before plantin g.
Pull and eat the last of the late Brussels sprouts, leeks and parsnips before they start going to seed and winter cauliflowers should be starting to curd up later this month.
www.gar www.gardenbargains.com | 08719 77 55 55
First so w beetroo ings of t can be especia made, lly the non bolting va boltard rieties, i.e. y, for e at late Ju ne/July ing in .
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eas Garden p onth m is sown th e the p a will esc . pea moth dreaded
Celery sown last month in the greenhouse should now be ready for pricking out, into small pots or multicelled trays.
Using the Plot | 13
Recipe of the Month
Top Jobs
Recipe of the month
Tasty Tomato Soup PREP: 10 mins
COOKING : 50 mins
You will need... • Tomatoes (1.25kg) • 1 Onion • 1 Carrot
for april
Makes: 4
• 1 Celery Stick • Olive Oil • Tomatoe Purée (2tsp)
Sowing Seeds in 3 easy steps
• 2 Bay leaves • Vegetable Stock (2 pints)
1
Method
Prepare your vegetables. Cut the tomatoes into quarters, peel and chop the onion, celery and carrot. Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add the chopped onions, carrot and celery and cook for about 10 minutes or until they are soft. Add the tomato purée, stir then add tomatoes, black pepper and bay leaves. Mix everything together and cover the pan with a lid for about 10 minutes. Pour the stock, stir on a high heat until the soup is bubbling then turn the heat down and simmer for 25 minutes Remove from the heat, wait until cool, take out the bay leaves and pour the soup into a blender. Blend until the soup is smooth then add back to the pan and reheat over a medium heat. Ladle into a bowl and serve with a crusty roll.
YUM!
Before you even start to fill your pots you have to ask yourself how many of the plants do you need in your garden or greenhouse; you’ll probably want more salad leaves than tomatoes or peppers. Seeds will last for several years if they are stored properly, ideally somewhere cool and dry, so don’t worry if you have some left over after you’ve finished sowing they’ll last a few seasons. Even if you do decide to sow a whole packet of seeds there are always going to be other gardeners that will be interested in an exchange once your crops start to grow.
2
Next take a look at the size of the seeds to determine whether you’ll need a seed tray, cell tray or individual pots. Larger seeds such as sweet peas can be sown into individual pots whereas smaller seeds can be sprinkled across a seed tray. Consider whether the seeds you’ve bought need light to germinate. The majority don’t however some such as celery prefer to be uncovered. Adding vermiculite to the surface of your pots will help exclude light, insulate the seeds and retain water whilst preserving a good air flow.
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14 | Recipe of the Month
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Asides from harvesting sowing seeds has to be of the most exciting aspects of growing your own vegetables and April is one of the most important months for starting to produce new crops. The UK weather can be very unreliable so be cautious and patient; sowing into wet soil is pointless. You can overcome the wait by sowing indoors in pots, trays and cells. Below are some top tips for successful sowing.
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£3.49
3
To make sure your seedlings have the best start in life you have to ensure they have the best compost. I recommend a seed and cutting compost as it provides the best environments for seeds to germinate and mature. Don’t be too keen to overwater. Seedlings have a small and underdeveloped root system so they’ll not be able to take up lots of water. If you overwater you’ll encourage bacterial infections and increase the chances of damping off. Remember that a seed is the start of a plants life, if you get this right and supply it with everything it needs you’ll produce a strong vigorous plant later on in the season.
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Top Jobs | 15
anagram
Reader’s Corner
READER’S CORNER
How many words can you make? Give yourself 2 minutes to find as many as you can...
1 – 5 terrible
6 - 11 poor
12 – 19 average
20 – 23 good
24+ excellent
Puzzles and Trivia for when you’re not gardening... CROSSWORD
Complete the crossword, fill in the shaded squares to reveal the term for a plant that lives for longer than 2 years and email your correct answer to editor@ltgl.co.uk: the first correct answer will receive a year’s free membership
GOODLIFE & TRU #03
ACROSS 3 9th Ap April 2012 4 A firer firery relation of the Freesi Freesia 6 Summ Summer m bulb beginning with A (See Design Ideas) Lycopersicon esculentum 8 Lycope e 9 Plant o of the month 10 Unwan Unwanted n plants
LAST MONTHS ANSWERS Final Word: Flowers Congratulations to Alison Thomas who won a free years membership by getting the correct answer to last weeks crossword. ACROSS 1 Organic 6 Lawn Mower 8 Butterfly 9 Sage, Rosemary and Thyme
16 | Reader’s Corner
DOWN 2 Coriander 3 Buddleia 4 Vine Weevil 5 Blueberry 7 Allotment
feature in the next issue
DOWN 1 If yyour pl plants are looking a bit p yellow give them a bit of the nutrient 2 Add this to the surface of your pots to help exclude light and insulate your seeds 5 Good Friday is a good time to plant these tuberous vegetables 7 Charles (who) the discoverer if the fuchsia www.gardenbargains.com | 08719 77 55 55
08719 77 55 55 | www.gardenbargains.com om m
This pictur e was sent in by M.J Birc h . Vib rant hanging b askets well done
Send us your photographs and letters and they could appear in the next issue. Send them to: Stephen Mackley, Lead the Good Life LTD, Ideal Home House, Newark Road, Peterborough, PE1 5WG Email: editor@ltgl.co.uk Follow us on facebook and twitter to receive regular hints, tips, seasonal advice, updates and offers plus loads more.
Reader’s Corner | 17
Tools for the Job T
l Extrads swith Essenoftia those pesky wee
Keep on top these fantastic essential weed control extras.
Deadfast Weedkiller Bucket
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Deadfast Weedkiller Bucket - 18 sachets
Patio Weed Brush £9.99
Patio Weed Brush is perfect for removing weeds simply and effortlessly. Sturdy, hard-working weed brush. Keeps cracks between interlocking bricks and stones free of moss, weeds and other debris. Use anywhere regular brooms and gardening tools don’t fit. Wooden handle (100 cm long). Steel bristle brush head. b
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Growing Success Deep Root Tree Stump Killer Deep Root Tree Stump Killer is an effective solution on to the problem of killing off tree stumps, general weeds,, brush and centrate hard to kill perennial weeds. Sachets of liquid concentrate eats: 6 tree for use in killing tree stumps and other weeds. Treats: e stumps stumps of 10-15 diameter or 132m2 weeds, 12 tree of 10-15cm diameter or 264m2 weeds.
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Wee Weed ed H Hound Elite £19.99 9 99
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18 | Tools for the Job
Thi chemical free way of weeding is not only safe for the This environment but is really simple and effective. The long env handle means no back breaking bending over and a an han ejection slide on the handle even removes the weed from eje the mouth at the end. To use simply place the mouth of the tool over the weed and tread on the plate so the mouth completely surrounds the weed (plus its tap root), then lift com and the Weedhound will pull the weed up with it!
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Tools for the Job | 19
“Making compost is easy”
Composting
compost
Making and using compost is a really good practise especially in organic gardening and if you want to grow your own fruit and vegetables then composting is a great way to help produce lots of top quality home grown food. Making compost is easy and cheap but is often considered to be difficult. Just provide the right material and wait for nature. WHAT TO DO To make the best compost you’ll need to add equal amounts of high nitrogen material (highlighted in green) and carbon rich material (highlighted in brown). Do not add any of the red material. If you get a good balance of nitrogen and carbon you’ll give your plant roots great structure and fantastic nutrients. There are two routes you can take to get the best compost; cool and hot.
20 | Composting
COOL COMPOSTING Cool composting is all about air flow. You’ll need bulky material such as straw, woody prunings, scrunched up cardboard to help create spaces for air to enter and circulate. Some woody stems lined on the bottom will help with this. As you go along try not to make the compost mix too dense. If you begin to find this is happening mix in ingredients such as egg boxes or toilet roll tubes It’s a good idea to mix the compost half way through the process as well to let it ‘breath’. You can add a bit of water if it’s dry or more material if it’s too wet. Add it back to your composter and wait until it’s ready.
HOT COMPOSTING You’ll need enough material to fill your composter in one go. You could use some half composted material if you need to. Using a chipper, shredder or shears ensure all of the material is small. Mix the material together then add to the composter. Your heap will start to get hot in a few days and as it begins to cool down mix the heap, try to mix the outer layers into the middle and the middle to the outside. Repeat this several times until the compost heap stops getting hot then wait until it matures. In the end you have a rich, dark and crumbly compost for your fruit and veg.
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ITEM: 300819
ITEM: 300820
Beehive Composter
what you can compost • Urine (diluted with water 20:1) • Comfrey leaves • Nettles • Grass cuttings • Raw vegetable peelings • Tea bags • Prunings • Poultry manure and bedding • Cardboard • Waste paper
Budget Composter
High nitrogen Carbon rich • Newspaper • Bedding from pets • Straw • Wood shavings • Old bedding plants • Fallen leaves • Wood ash • Hair, nail clippings • Egg shells • Natural fibres
08719 77 55 55 | www.gardenbargains.com
what you can’t compost • Meat • Fish • Cooked food • Coal • Cat litter • Dog faeces • Disposable nappies
Composting | 21
Ask the Expert
P&D Watch
ask the experts
ing S ho w ms! o t p sym
Having problems with your prized pansies, struggles with you star Streptocarpus or troubles with top tomatoes? We’re here to help! This Months P&D WatchTalks Nitroden Deficiency...
CELIA ASKS: I have two Clematis which are intertwined. One is very large with pale lilac flowers the other is smaller with blue flowers. Last year they developed a grey finish to the leaves and flowers, almost powdery. They are situated on a sheltered fence which gets afternoon sun. The larger of the 2 must be about 6 or even more years old and the other around 3 years. I’ve tried quite a few products but not been able to clear it. As they are both showing new sturdy growth I would be grateful of your help to try and prevent this happening again.
Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient and is crucial in many parts of plant growth because it’s a key element in many important compounds which plants need to function properly for example proteins and amino acids. Unfortunately it can become scarce in many soils especially those containing little organic matter or where brassica crops are continuously grown.
My other problem is with my roses. I have a number of established climbing and bush roses all in a sunny position. They all have black spot. This started about two years ago and again I have tried all sorts of products without success. Please can you offer me some advice? STEPHEN SAYS: Your clematis seems to be infected by powdery mildew. Suppress the spread of this disease by destroying all fallen infected leaves in autumn and by mulching and watering you’ll reduce stress and make your plants less prone to the infection. Prune out any infected shoots as soon as they appear to help reduce further infection. Powdery mildew affects the surface of plants, mainly leaves, and therefore they are easily treated with fungicides. Unfortunately black spot is a ubiquitous disease that effects roses and is particularly hard to deal with. You can start by collecting and destroying all fallen leaves in the autumn and prune out all stems that are damaged before leaves appear in spring. These actions will help delay the onset of the disease but unfortunately are not fool proof methods because spores are easily blown in from surrounding areas. Effective chemical controls for both powdery mildew and black spot include those that contain difenoconazole, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, triticonazole and plant and fish oil blends may all be used. It is advisable to alternate several products to maximise their effectiveness. Remember to always read the label.
Symptoms All plants need nitrogen to function properly however some respond more drastically to nitrogen shortage. The first thing you’ll notice is a change of colour from the regular green to a yellowing or pale colouration especially on those plants that enjoy
Treatment If you know that your soil is deficient in nitrogen there are a few things that you can do to counteract the problem. Nitrogen is far less likely to be leached from the soil if you add lots of bulky, well rotted organic matter. Compost will not only give your soil lots of
structure but also add some nutrients. Top dressing beds and borders will help boost nutrient levels. You can either add a layer of compost to the surface of the soil or a balanced granular fertiliser.
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CP: £7.19 22 | Ask the Expert
high nitrogen soils such as brassicas. This colour alteration first appears on older leaves because nitrogenous materials in plants are readily transported to younger, fresher plant parts. Overall growth can be stunted and flower and fruit production can be delayed.
£1.50 from each rose will go to learning disability charity, Mencap - Mencap is the leading voice of learning disability. Everything they do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers
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Plant Magic has been tried and tested for many years by professional growers, landscapers and gardeners and is now available for you to use at home. The unique formulation is designed to quickly establish strong healthy roots in all plants which will in turn make your plants grow bigger, better and stronger.
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ITEM: 300479 Plant Magic 1L
It will give you bigger, longer lasting blooms and also optimise yield and quality on fruits and vegetables. Plant magic is suitable for use on virtually all flowers, fruits, vegetables, trees and shrubs including ericaceous plants.
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Use Plant Magic for a boost at the time of planting and also as general feed every two weeks from March to October. It can also be used as a root dip and bulb and seed soak prior to planting. Plant Magic’s special formula will also help boost ailing plants giving them the much needed micronutrients for all round plant health.
P&D Watch | 23
DO FOR N’T G Fre e tom lettu ET ato ce & ! se eds
Free Lettuce and tomato seed collection with every order. Usual price £4.99 We have selected a great range of salad products and put it into one collection. For the taste of summer, this great value collection ensures you have all you need.
This 6 seed collection makes it so easy for you to create a great range of useful, but importantly, original and tasty products to help you cook that outstanding meal or snack.
• Lettuce (May Queen)
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April
26 look out for the May issue In the next issue find out all about Petunias, how to create the best bedding display and find out which strimmers to buy. For questions & ordering details contact us on:
08719 77 55 55
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L e tt uce & To S ee d ma to C o ll e c ti o n wit h ev e o rd e r y r.