GARDENING: SPECIAL FOCUS
TAKE A LEAF OUT OF GARDENING EXPERTS’ BOOK WITH THESE TOP TIPS Discover Northern Ireland has teamed up with two experts who tend to gardens which attract thousands of visitors each year to bring you some top tips for winter gardening, indoors and out. Colin Agnew, Community Parks Supervisor at Belfast Botanic Gardens has compiled the following advice to help your plants flourish inside: Water sparingly Only water when the soil surface is dry at this time of the year. Avoid the temptation to overfeed. A plant may wilt and lose its turgidity if overwatered. They seldom recover when sodden. It is a good idea to add a weak solution of Phostrogen or seaweed feed. Both are nicely balanced with essential nutrients.
Consider location Houseplants can be fussy and temperamental, just like ourselves sometimes. They don’t appreciate a cold draft and although they don’t all require direct sunlight, they will perform better if light levels are good. Natural light is always best, so use the porch or windowsill when you can.
Drainage A free draining compost is essential in order to guarantee happy plants. Replenish dry plants with water then leave them until they dry out again before repeating the process. Claire McNally, Head Gardener at the National Trust’s Rowallane Garden at Saintfield, Co. Down, offers the following advice for preparing your garden for spring:
Pruning It’s an ideal time to prune climbing and shrub roses. Wisteria will be getting its long extension growth snipped back to two buds. Trees like apples and pears, gooseberries and red currants, can all be pruned now. The Royal Horticultural Society also has a huge amount of advice on its website to guide you through the steps.
DIY projects Winter is a great time to do some DIY projects such as fixing a dodgy fence panel. If you started a compost heap last year but it’s just not big enough, or in the wrong place, now is the perfect time to move or expand it. Loved growing plants from seed last year? How about a glasshouse or cold-frame to give you some protected growing space?
Planting beds Now is a great time to expand or make new planting beds. You can prepare them by digging over and adding organic matter or by using no-dig mulching methods (much easier on the back and great for the soil microbiology). This is the least glamorous part of gardening but it’s a great investment. Generally, the more care you put into your soil, the healthier your plants will be.
Potting up The growth in most species of popular house plants is limited during the winter months. It tends to be a dormant period. Don’t consider re-potting until spring when daylight is longer, root growth is better, and a regular feeding programme can be resumed.
For more information about Belfast Botanic Gardens, Rowallane Garden and other great places to visit when government guidance permits travel again, visit www.discovernorthernireland.com.
CUTTING IT FINE Ulster Tatler’s Chloe Heaney speaks to Harry Gaston, franchisee at GreenThumb Lawn Treatment Service, covering the largest part of Northern Ireland.
it home for 6pm for teatime with the family. After tea, I like to review any planned visits / phone calls I would have for the following day and make any appointment times if needs be.
Describe a typical working day for you. Typically, I would aim to be in our office here in Belfast for about 7am. On arrival, and after the first coffee of the day (always the best), I would review any issues that have been raised by customers from the previous day and plan what action needs to be taken here. Usually after about 9am I would start to make customer phone calls where necessary before heading out to inspect the lawns we treat and chatting to customers. I always like to make
How did you get into gardening? I’m actually from a farming background so I found the movement into the gardening business pretty seamless. It can be hard work, but I’ve always enjoyed being in the outdoors and this job helps me do just that. What do you enjoy most about your job? The most enjoyable part of my job I think would be the sense of pride our customers derive from the beautiful lawns we are able to 92
provide them. It’s very much a partnership I find though and those who get the most from our service are those who play their part in cutting the lawn regularly and watering well when needed. www.greenthumb.co.uk
