Page 76 - Phonebox Magazine August 2011

A Month in the Garden
The holiday season is here and brings with it time to relax and enjoy the garden. To maintain flowering in
The holiday season is here and brings with it time to relax and enjoy the garden. To maintain flowering in
herbaceous borders, pots or hanging baskets, remember to regularly deadhead plants and feed to encourage
herbaceous borders, pots or hanging baskets, remember to regularly deadhead plants and feed to
n e w b l o e e o n n c c m o o s u u r r . a a Wg g e e h n n n i l e e e e w w w y b b o l l o o u o o m ml a s s z . . i W Wl y h h c i i l l a e e s y y t o o a u u n l l a a z z e i i y l l y y e c c a a a s s r t t o a a u n n n e e d y y e e t h a a e r r o o g u u a n n d d r d t t h h e e e n g g n a a o r r d d d t e e e e n n n a n n n o o y t t e e s a a p n n o y y t s s s p p o o t h t t s s a t t t h h c a a o t t c c u o o l u u d l l d d d b b b e e e i m p r o v e d o r f i l l e d f o r n e x t
improved or filled for next year, it’s much easier to do now than later when
year, it’s much easier to do now than later when plants have died down.
plants have died down.
One way of filling those gaps is to take semi-ripe cuttings of shrubs and woody-stemmed climbers. Just select
One way of filling those gaps is to take semi-ripe cuttings of shrubs and
fresh shoots that are firm and woody near the base, but still soft and green near the tip. Carefully remove the
woody-stemmed climbers. Just select fresh shoots that are firm and woody near the base, but still soft and green near the tip. Carefully remove the lower
lower leaves and trim to about 4-6 inches long. Insert into a pot of compost making sure they are not touching
leaves and trim to about 4-6 inches long. Insert into a pot of compost making
each other, firm the compost around the bases, water and label them. Keep watch to make sure they do not dry
sure they are not touching each other, firm the compost around the bases,
out and remove any fallen leawvaetesr. aOndvelarbweilnthtermc. uKtetienpgwsaitnchatocmoladkefrsaumreethoerygdroeneonthdoryuosuet andd transplant to individual
remove any fallen leaves. Overwinter cuttings in a cold frame or greenhouse
larger pots when they are growing away. Depending on how well they have grown, plant out in either spring or
and transplant to individual larger pots when they are growing away. autumn the following year. Depending on how well they have grown, plant out in either spring or autumn
the following year.
Flight the Blight
Made famous by the terrible Irish Famine in 1845, Potato Blight
Made famous by the terrible Irish Famine in 1845, Potato Blight is one of the worst diseases for the potato grower. It
(cpaontawtiopeso)utothreotplwanhtislsatlmboesint govsetronirgehdt .aIntdiscacnaucasuesde binyfeactefudntugbuesrs (potatoes) toporottawtoheilst obueitnfgrosmtorethd.eItgirsound when you harvest. Water from the
Fight the Blight
there are quite a few varieties of potato available now with varying
degrees of blight resistance.
is one of the worst diseases for the potato grower. It can wipe out the plants almost overnight and can cause infected tubers
As the fungus can be spread from old potatoes, try to get all the
caused by a fungus (Phytophthora infestans) which spreads through the air and develops when the weather
(Phytophthora infestans) which spreads through the air and base rather than spraying potatoes as wet leaves attract the fungus.
conditions are warm and humid.
The first indication of infected plants are
b
rvoewlnopsatcwhhees northsepowtseoanththeer leaves, witTh radyietlilonwaislhlyeBdgoer.dAefafeucxtemd ixture was sprayed onto the leaves - it
d
e
potatoes will develop dark patches on the skin and if you cut it in half, you
conditions are warm and humid. contains copper and is organically approved. This may halt the
will see a tell-tale brown stain. After this the potato will rot, and boy, do
they smell bad! Your best preventative is to grow a resistant variety - there
The first indication of infected
are quite a few varieties of potato available now with varying degrees of
plants are brown patches or spots
number of affected leaves with patches, you can try removing those
edge. Affected potatoes will
spread of Blight if applied at the first signs. If you notice a small
blight resistance.
and disposing of them. Always try to burn any infected As the fungus can be spread from old potatolesa, vtreysto/pgoettaatollethsetopoptarteovees nt the spread.
on the leaves, with a yellowish
out from the ground when you harvest. Water from the base rather than
s
p
If you do succumb to Blight, remove the foliage. This prevents the
d
ravyeinlogpodtatrokespastcwhetsleoanvetshaettsrakcitnthe fungus. Traditionally Bordeaux e
mixture was sprayed onto the leaves - it contadinisecaospepegr eanttdinisgoinrgtaontichaellytubers, as long as they are well covered with
and if you cut it in half, you will
approved. This may halt the spread of Blight if applied at the first signs. If
s
earth. Leave for at least two weeks to let the blight spores on the uenaotitcell-ataslmeabllronwumnbsetraoinf .aAffeftceterd leaves with patches, you can try
e
y
removing those and disposing of them. Always try to burn any infected
LANDSCAPE GARDENING & BLOCK PAVING
My garden kicks ass!
icotee edges or furled petals. The l plants as they reach 1 metre in
ully once cut.
o
surface die and try to avoiding storing for too long – check potato sacks regularly.
this the potato will rot, and boy, do they smell bad! Your best preventative is to grow a resistant variety -
leaves/potatoes to prevent the spread.
.
If you do succumb to Blight, remove the foliage. This prevents the disease getting into the tubers, as long as they are well covered with earth. Leave for at least two weeks to let the blight spores on the surface die and try to
avoiding storing for too long – check potato sacks regularly.
LH GARDEN MAINTENANCE
Plant of the Month – Cosmos bipinnatus
Good value plants. When times are hard and value for money is
Offering a full range of gardening services including:
required, the cheerful Cosmos will brighten up your garden all summer
long, from just a seed packet and a little TLC from yourself. This self-
Grass cutting • Border preparation/restoration
seeding half-hardy annual is an undemanding plant, growing even in
the worse conditions spring and summer have to offer, and flourishing
Hedge trimming • Weeding • Prunning and much more
in warm sun and poor soil. You can sow in spring for early summer
flowers and if the plants are regularly dead-headed you will have
From a simple one-off garden tidy or regular garden maintenance
continuity of blooms right through to the first frosts.
They are large daisy flowers available in shades from white through
pink to maroon, with yellow ceNntoreJs.oVbatrioeotiesmcanll have single or double flowers, p
clear white ‘Purity’ is a favourite of mine. They can be grown amongst other tal
Call us today on 01234 241678 / 07981 127733
height, with individual flowers measuring 8cm or more across.
Freshly cut cosmos flowers make a lovely, airy bouquet and an arrangement of co remember to select flowers with petals that have just unfolded, as they will open f email: lorraine.hollis@homecall.co.uk
01933 665466 07881 464301
Malcolm Threadgold 154 London Road, Bozeat
PAVING PATIOS FENCES ROCKERIES PATHWAYS CLEARANCE
smos can last for 7 - 10 days, just
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76 Phonebox Magazine
A month in the Garden...
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