Somerset Country Gardener June 2022

Somerset www.countrygardener.co.uk

Issue No 191 JUNE 2022 FREE

WILD THING! We are letting nature take its course as more gardens go wild and wonderful

PLUS:

Wisteria Q&A Understanding vegan gardening Containers galore

The mystique of Ancient Trees Wild meadow orchids June gardens opening for charity

Gardening news and events throughout Somerset Win a pair of Backdoorshoes flip flops

Planting Outdoor Living Cafe www.fonthill-lakeside.com

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CUTTINGS

Gardeners cuttings

in Somerset

A LOOK AT NEWS, EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS IN YOUR AREA

Seaside gardens open gardens in Clevedon in June

This year’s event runs over the whole weekend All Clevedon gardens are within walking distance of each other

COMMUNAL GARDENS AND SQUARES OPEN IN CLIFTON AND HOTWELLS There’s a rare opportunity to visit the communal gardens and squares hidden behind the elegant terraces of Clifton and Hotwells, on Saturday 11th June and Sunday 12th June from 10.30am to 5pm with home-made refreshments, stalls, and entertainments.

It’s a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of Clifton village and enjoy the beautiful formal gardens, woodlands and wild gardens, most of which are rarely open to the public. This year the event will run for the whole weekend, with at least two new gardens open at Clifton Hill House and Clifton Meadow. There will be a variety of refreshments and activities, including talks, conducted walks and a tree trail, and the organisers are thrilled to be joined by two choirs. More information about opening times and individual gardens can be found at www.gssg-bristol.com/ Admission includes entry to all gardens on both Saturday and Sunday, a booklet and map (paper or electronic) in advance from Eventbrite at £6, and £5 on the day from 10.30am on Boyce’s Avenue and from selected gardens listed on the website (16 years and under, free). Only assistance dogs are allowed in the gardens. The event is organised by Green Squares and Secret Gardens.

Hestercombe hosts changing exhibition which challenges the roles of gardens Hestercombe Gardens outside of Taunton hosts a new exhibition starting on Saturday, 28th May and running through to October called, ‘A Rose is a Rose is a Rose’.

This exhibition brings together new projects by five artists that engage with gardens and landscapes addressing questions of meaning and ethics, community and collaboration and exploring art and sustainability in the face of climate emergency and declining biodiversity.

With a nod to Gertrude Jekyll’s description of her own garden as ‘my study, my workshop, my place of rest’, the exhibition will evolve and grow over the summer as each artist creates new work and/or carries out participatory workshops in response to Hestercombe.

There will be a fine selection of lovely gardens opening on Sunday 26th June in the beautiful Victorian seaside town of Clevedon, overlooking the Severn Estuary, with its Grade I listed pier, marine lake, ornamental gardens and Victorian bandstand.

The gardens will be open from 10.30am until 5.30pm on 26th June. All are within walking distance of each other and feature a collection of front and back gardens showcasing different styles. The proceeds of the open gardens event will go to Clevedon Community Centre and Clevedon Skate Park Project.

Combined admission to all the gardens is £5 for adults, accompanied children free. Event passports will be available on the day from any participating garden; in advance and on the day from Clevedon Community Centre, 2 Princes Road, and Ziggy (Gift Shop), 9 Old Street. Refreshments will be available in Princes Hall, at Clevedon Community Centre and plants will be for sale at some of the gardens. Access to most of the gardens is not suitable for wheelchair users. Only assistance dogs are allowed.

Fruit picking about to get under way at Forde Abbey Fruit Gardens Picking your own fruit is one of the delights of summer and the new picking season gets under way at Forde Abbey on the Somerset and Dorset border on Wednesday, 15th June from 9.30am to 6pm. There’s the opportunity to pick your own strawberries, gooseberries and raspberries. The address for pick your own is not at Forde Abbey House and Garden but at Forde Abbey Fruit Gardens, Thorncombe, Chard TA20 4NA. Please follow the signs to the fruit farm when you arrive. Forde Abbey takes great pleasure in growing fruit to the highest standards and the picking has become one of the highlights of summer. Fruit picking goes on until Monday 25th July.

Hestercombe House & Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton TA2 8LG

PLEA FOR HELP FROM PORTISHEAD IN BLOOM Portishead in Bloom has put out a plea for volunteers to help with preparations for this year’s competition. Barry Gunter on behalf of Portishead in Bloom said: “We are fast approaching our first Open Gardens event since 2019 and our garden hosts are working hard to bring their gardens up to the standard we have all enjoyed over previous years.

“Portishead in Bloom ‘HQ’ for the event will be at the Millennium Gardens, St Peters

Church - with programmes, raffle tickets, plants, refreshments and BBQ food on sale.

“Help is also needed at the beginning and end of each day - so we are looking for help anytime between 10am and 6pm each day. If you are able to spend time to help during the weekend or even bake a cake for our refreshment tent that would be great.”

REPLY TO PORTISHEADINBLOOM@BTINTERNET.COM IF YOU CAN HELP

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CUTTINGS

Community gardens being created from private allotments Private allotments are now being transformed into community gardens throughout Somerset.

The idea was set up by a group of friends who worked to find an alternative to long waiting lists for council allotments throughout the county. The Roots Allotments team, which opened an allotment in Bath, has been inundated with customers.

GLORIOUS OPEN GARDENS FOR ST MARGARET’S HOSPICE IN JUNE June is a busy month for supporters of St Margaret’s Hospice, with a variety of colourful gardens to visit in Somerset, from large gardens with lawns, trees and herbaceous beds, to more intimate gardens with lots of roses, annuals and perennials, in good design and structure.

Last year’s Glorious Gardens campaign raised more than £10,000 and it’s hoped the total in 2022 will exceed that amount. More than 30 beautiful gardens across Somerset, and one or two in Dorset, will have been open by August.

Some of the gardens are opening as groups on the same day, or over two days. There are 12 gardens opening for St Margaret’s Hospice on the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June in the quaint village of Hinton St George with its honey-coloured ham stone houses, Grade I listed church, community shop and excellent pub.

Waiting lists for allotments are now three to four years

The founders said the allotment is “the first organic no-dig site of its kind in the world”.

The team is actively looking for sites in Bristol, with the hopes to establish a garden there.

Ed Morrison, Will Gay, Josh Gay and Christian Samuels founded the site in Bath after realising the need to have a “modern day, inclusive allotment” that applicants would not have to wait years for.

Waiting lists for allotments in Bristol are currently at three to four years.

The private allotments are more expensive than the council plots, with the Bath plots costing between £10 and £50 per month. However, this is the only way for some people to gain access to green growing spaces.

Many of the gardeners who have plots at the Bath site commute in and split the rental fees, as they value the benefits - both physical and mental - of gardening.

Ed Morrison is a grower and adviser from Roots Allotment. He says gardening has many mental health benefits.

“People are actually coming here for a sense of community and a sense of belonging and I’ve found that over the last two years with Covid, people have become very disconnected with each other,” he said. “So this is a really nice opportunity to just spend some time together and really get to know each other.”

Twelve gardens open for St Margaret’s Hospice

This large group of gardens, open from 12pm5pm (last entry 4.30pm), display a variety of styles and stages of development, with cottage gardens, gardens in a contemporary style, classic traditional country house gardens, courtyard gardens, those with parterres, specimen trees, water features and very high original protective walls in some of them.

Tickets are £8 for one day or £10 for both days, under 18s free, with refreshments, parking and toilets all available. Some gardens have limited access for wheelchairs and pushchairs and only assistance dogs are allowed. High Street, Hinton St George TA17 8SE. Drayton village near Langport opens on Saturday 25th June for St Margaret’s Hospice with six varied gardens, ranging from cottage gardens to larger gardens with woodland areas to explore.

All six will be open from 2pm until 5pm, with combined admission of £7.50. Tea, coffee, soft drinks and cake will be available in the village hall, where there are toilets and parking will be signposted. There’s wheelchair access to all the gardens, and dogs are allowed in five of them.

For other gardens opening for St Margaret’s Hospice go to www.st-margarets-hospice.co.uk and follow the links. Details of Cothay Manor, near Wellington, opening for the hospice on 18th and 19th June is in our gardens to visit feature starting on page 45.

ONLY ONE IN THREE SOMERSET GARDENERS MAKE THEIR OWN COMPOST

Subsidised compost bins would help, say gardeners

Only a third of gardeners in Somerset make their own compost for gardening, a survey suggests. Polling for the Royal Horticultural Society found only 33 per cent of gardeners in the county composted garden or food waste, even though the charity said it is ‘a free, easy and sustainable’ alternative to shop-bought products such as peat compost.

The proportion that do have a compost bin, heap or bucket generally increases with age, the survey of more than 1,800 gardeners found.

But so too does resistance to taking up the practice, with much higher levels of the over 55s who do not compost, saying nothing would make them start, than younger age groups.

Among those who do not make their own compost, more than a third - 36 per cent - said subsidised or free compost bins from local councils would get them composting, with 17 per cent saying training and online tutorials would help and one in ten suggesting a clearer idea of the green benefits would inspire them.

The RHS said composting has long been considered an integral part of gardening, which recycles food and garden waste, provides an important soil improver, helps to reduce reliance on shop-bought compost which can include peat, and offers habitat and nutrition to wildlife and plants.

Professor Alistair Griffiths, director of science and collections at the RHS, said: “Composting is to gardening what butter is to bread, offering a free, easy and sustainable alternative to shop bought soil improvers.

“Composting is one of a handful of small changes gardeners can make on their plots to help accelerate the UK’s transition to peat free, and for people to make a positive difference to the environment and the health of their plants and planet.” www.countrygardener.co.uk

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CUTTINGS

National Trust woodlands and trees celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Two ancient woodlands and two ancient trees in its care in the South West, have been chosen as part of a nationwide network of 70 ancient woodlands and trees to be dedicated to The Queen in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee.

They are Horner Woods in Somerset, Fingle Woods in the Teign Valley on Dartmoor, the ancient Black Walnut tree at Antony near Torpoint in Cornwall and the Tolpuddle Martyrs tree in Tolpuddle, Dorset.

The initiative was launched by the Prince of Wales, who is Patron of The Queen’s Green Canopy, under one of the Horner Woods, near Porlock - ancient semi-natural woodlands Ancient Tree dedications - the old sycamore located at Dumfries House in Scotland.

Fingle Woods, cared for by the National Trust and The Woodland Trust, is a complex of three woods in the Teign Valley - Fingle, Halls Cleave and Cod Wood. Fingle is a very significant part of the prehistoric landscape, with the Iron Age Wooston Castle Hill Fort a Scheduled Ancient Monument within the wider context of the Teign Valley and its two associated hill forts.

Horner Woods near Porlock on the north Somerset coast is one of the largest unenclosed ancient semi-natural woodlands in the UK. In 1995 it was made a National Nature Reserve together with the surrounding Dunkery moorland. There is evidence of humans living in and using the woodland dating back thousands of years to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Seven settlements in the wood, six of which are still occupied, are recorded in the Doomsday book, the manuscript record of the “Great Survey” of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror.

In 1833 six agricultural labourers, later known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs, would meet at the sycamore tree (Acer pseudoplatanus) in Tolpuddle, Dorset to organise efforts to improve working conditions. They were caught and sentenced to penal transportation in Australia, although this was overturned three years later due to a massive public outcry. The sycamore is now accompanied by a shelter and statues as monuments to this courageous group.

The Tolpuddle sycamore tree

Gardening club events and meetings in Somerset June

DRAYTON HAS SEVEN GARDENS FOR VISITORS TO ENJOY

1ST

Drayton Open Gardens, near Langport in the heart of the Somerset Levels takes place on Saturday, June 25th from 2pm to 5pm. Seven gardens are planned to be open with all seven having different styles. Entry is £7.50 with children free. Teas will be in the Village Hall and parking is free, All proceeds to St. Margaret’s Hospice and St Catherine’s Church Flower Festival in the church.

West Pennard Gardening Club ‘PLANNING A BORDER’ - THE GOLD CLUB Details on 01458 850734

8TH Nailsea & District Horticultural Society ‘SATISFYING ALL FIVE SENSES IN THE GARDEN’ - CHRIS BOND More details on 01275 855342 ‘

GARDEN FESTIVAL RETURNS TO BISHOP’S PALACE IN WELLS The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells is hosting its popular garden festival on Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June.

Returning for its eighth year, the festival will again reunite gardenlovers with specialists from around the country.

Designed to celebrate the Great British Garden, the 14-acre grounds will feature guided tours, live music, expert speakers, delicious food, skills and crafts and several stalls, including nurseries selling unusual and popular plants.

Headlining on Friday is Mark Bobin, head gardener at Minterne Gardens, who will be talking about the Himalayan garden deep in the Dorset countryside - its history, its plants and plans for the future.

Troy Scott Smith, head gardener at Sissinghurst and Sarah Venn from Popular Wells festival is Incredible Edible in Bristol will also be giving talks over the weekend. now in its eighth year Three of the region’s most skilled florists will also be on hand to advise visitors on how to get the best out of this year’s flowers.

One highlight will be Saturday’s demonstrations by Maria Heffer of The Bath Greenhouse. Maria’s detailed demonstration will spill the secrets of how dried flowers can make a fabulous bouquet.

For those who are more interested in the ornithology side of wildlife, the Palace’s own swan expert, Moira Anderson, will also be giving a talk. This year the pair of swans made their nest beside the moat and the cygnets have hatched.

The festival is a fundraising event for The Palace Trust with tickets priced at £13.50 for adults, £10 for students/Blue Lights discount, £6.50 for five year olds to 17 years, members and under 5s free.

Tickets are available from the Palace’s website www.bishopspalace.org.uk and by telephone on 01749 988 111, with advance discounts and group rates available.

21ST Barrington Gardening Club ‘ALL ABOUT ROSES’ - GOLD CLUB Details on 07870 928423

25TH Drayton Village, Langport GARDENS OPEN FOR ST MARGARET’S HOSPICE CARE

25TH/26TH Bampton BAMPTON HIDDEN GARDENS Details on 01398 332403

‘Time Off’ set to return If your gardening club or association is getting back into full swing after the restrictions of the past couple of years be sure to let Country Gardener know. Send your club meetings and outings details to timeoff@countrygardener.co.uk

Look out for the July issue of Country Gardener from Friday, 24th June onwards 6

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Triscombe Nurseries Former Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden established over 60 years ago. We have an extensive range of shrubs, ornamental and native trees, fruit trees and hedging plants.

GARDEN END DAIRY OUR MILK COMES FROM THE FAMILY RUN HERD OF HAPPY HOLSTEIN FRESIAN COWS, WHO ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GRAZE HERE ON THE BEAUTIFUL SOMERSET LEVELS. EVERY MORNING WE GENTLY PASTEURISE THEIR FRESH MILK. IT IS NOT HOMOGENISED SO THE RICH DELICIOUS TASTE REMAINS. You can purchase our farm milk and produce from our vending machine at a the farm gate 24/7

MAKE YOUR OWN MILKSHAKES

CROFT GARDEN NURSERY T S E W & FARM SHOP WE TRULY HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR MILK, AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL DAIRY FARM.

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Taunton’s plant plug centre, Henlade

Tel. 01823 443507 Open 7 days a week 9am - 5.30pm On the main A358 Taunton to Ilminster road next to Henlade post office • Geraniums £3.00 for ten • Busy lizzes, petunias, lobelia, bedding begonias £11.00 per 100 • Baskets plants £6.50 for ten • Refill baskets from £12.00 • Levington professional compost 75 litres £7.40 per bag, 5 bags £36.00 Why use mail order or garden centres when you can buy quality plants locally at lower prices?

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7

NICOLA’S SEEDS OF SUCCESS Flower-loving mum has launched the UK’s only seed subscription box encouraging budding gardeners to ‘grow to give’ to others in the community When Nicola Bird discovered the impact the floristry industry has on the environment, she vowed to stop buying bunches of flowers and grow her own instead.

A self-confessed gardening novice, Nicola, 50, watched YouTube tutorials and read books, and discovered it might not be as difficult as she first thought.

And when others saw what she was doing, they asked her for advice and now 4,000 people across the country have started to grow alongside her in their own gardens.

So the mum-of-three launched The Floral Project [www. thefloralproject.co.uk] - a campaign encouraging people to grow wildlife-friendly, seasonal flowers chosen for their suitability as cut flowers for themselves or to gift to charitable causes in the community.

Nicola said: “We all grow together. I created The Floral Project with the aim of ‘growing to give’ and it’s blossomed.

“It’s now full of people, many completely new to growing flowers, who have fully embraced the grounding and mindfulness it brings.”

Nicola’s children - Tilly, 18, Ned, 16, and Bea, 14 and her husband Matt - were also involved in the project, helping to sow and cultivate the seeds and answer the many questions.

But after starting in 2020, Nicola - who began her working life in a care home for the elderly - realised she was growing too many flowers for her own kitchen table - so she decided to donate the flowers to her local Age Concern.

The Floral Project is now the only seed company in the UK to encourage its growers to give.

Nicola, who is now studying horticulture with the RHS, said: “There are many wonderful organisations in local communities that provide befrienders to those who are housebound or vulnerable, but after that visit is over, imagine if that volunteer could leave behind a simple vase of flowers to remind that person that they are loved and thought about all week long?

Horticultural related searches on Google have increased 8

by an average of 450 per-cent in the last 12 months, as the pandemic brought simple pleasures away from digital screens and busy work schedules back to the forefront.

Stepping away from devices and getting outside is something Nicola champions.

But for those who think growing their own flowers is too difficult, Nicola has one main piece of advice: just start!

The Flower Club subscription box (£22) contains five different cut flower seeds each month to grow alongside some of the more than 4,000 other people currently sowing, growing and giving with The Floral Project.

“Starting a tiny cut flower patch is a really simple way to start, you can start it at any time in the year, and it rewards you very quickly with your own flowers ready for cutting within a matter of a couple of months.”

Nicola admits she has never been interested in gardening but has always loved flowers.

Nicola said: “We bought a house with a beautiful garden with the idea that the kids would be out frolicking around outside, building dens - but they never stepped foot in it and neither did I. “When I learned about the environmental impact of the traditional cut flower industry, I just thought I can’t have flowers in my house as I didn’t want to support that.

“So, I took a small space in the garden, ordered some raised beds - about 12 metres - and a little greenhouse online for just £50, and I learned everything through YouTube and books.”

Each year, Nicola runs a 100 Posy Challenge where those who want to join declare their aim to donate either ten or 100 posies throughout the summer.

“There are seeds you can sow right now today to start your cut flower patch. Just start.”

For more information visit www.thefloralproject.co.uk Country Gardener

NICOLA’S ANNUAL ‘WHAT TO GROW’ WHEN GUIDE: JANUARY: Planning what flowers you want to grow FEBRUARY: Sow hardy annuals.

MARCH: Sow half-hardy annuals specially in the greenhouse / start your dahlias/ narcissi and daffodils/anemones are all in bloom at the start of spring. And all make ideal cut flowers APRIL: Ranunculus will now be blooming / sowing your summer garden seeds/dahlia cuttings.

MAY: Cut the flowers and this is the month to start giving JUNE: emphasis on biennials and sowing these now to start the garden next year JULY: Watering/growing sustainably, giving flowers, what to do with your flowers when you go on holiday.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER: Vital months -sow hardy annuals – most people don’t know this is the ideal time to start your cut flower patch.

SEPTEMBER: Plant narcissi and keep up with regular sowing of hardy annuals OCTOBER: Plant ranunculus and anemones and plan what to do with dahlias at the end of the season.

NOVEMBER: Plant tulips

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9

READERS LETTERS

Have your say...

If you have any views, thoughts, gardening ideas or success stories you would like to share with Country Gardener then contact us via letter or email at Country Gardener, Mount House, Halse, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3AD or email editorial@countrygardener.co.uk

My solution to send rats packing from the allotment I know many of my neighbours and fellow allotment holders have been badly affected by rats this spring. I think I might have come across a solution. Mix hot chilli powder, ground white pepper and ground black pepper and sprinkle it liberally around rat runs, rat holes and wherever they forage. I have used this successfully for about two years now and one sniff and the wretched creatures disappear for ever, never to return.

Amy Polhill Beaminster

IN DEFENCE OF MOSS Can I be allowed to say something in defence of moss? What is so wrong with it? I have a small lawn at the front of my house which gets plenty of sun and has lots of moss in it. It always looks super green and pretty and feels nice to walk on. The birds seem to like it and poke around happily and when it is in flower it looks lovely. The gardener who comes in and cuts my lawn rolls his eyes when I tell him I love my daisies, violas and my moss.

Pat Tobin

Petersfield

Patience in the garden is the most important thing

The delights of chickens in the garden A garden is of course many things to many people but one of the pleasures my husband and I have enjoyed over the last two years now is chickens sharing our outdoor space.

We bought them during lockdown, and I could watch my rare breed chickens for hours. The cockerel is lovely – he takes grapes or other delights he has found to his favourite girl. The hens are beautiful and as a bonus lay lovely brown and white eggs. An electric fence protects them from foxes and so far, we haven’t had any problems just the delight of sharing our garden.

Heather Watson Exeter

I read in your excellent magazine that someone was advocating patience in the garden as being very important.

This seems to be something which we all do not talk about enough. I must garden on a tight budget and my garden is most certainly a work in progress, but I can see that little by little I am getting somewhere, and it is gradually evolving into something rather special. The cuttings taken from my grandmother’s garden remind me that she is no longer with us, but they bring me comfort knowing they were plants that she enjoyed. Whenever I buy a new plant, I remember the ones she talked about and when money allows these find a place in my garden. I take pleasure in the fact that my garden is not expensive, that I am not in a rush to have it become an instant finished project. Having patience and the time to watch it grow is the most important thing for me.

Vicky Embletonn Burnham

True patience is growing an apricot tree from a stone When it comes to having patience in a garden, I would like to nominate my husband for some sort of award.

Eight years ago, he decided to try and grow his own apricot tree from a stone. He looked it all up and did as was recommended – soaking the stone in water for 24 hours. Then, placing the stone in damp paper towels, moist sand and peat moss. Then putting it in it into a plastic bag and putting in the fridge for six weeks.

Amazingly it worked. The tree now has pride of place sheltered against a greenhouse outside wall. Apricot trees typically bear fruit three to four years after planting. So, he is not there yet!

Daphne Hall Martock

MAKING HEDGEHOG ‘TUNNELS’ A PART OF PLANNING LAW

I applaud your constantly raising and writing about how we must do more for hedgehogs in your magazine. One thing caught my eye a couple of months ago and that is how important it is to allow them to travel from garden to garden. I felt so strongly about it I have now proposed a motion at our local town council requiring that all solid walls or fences in any new planning application must incorporate hedgehog ‘tunnels’. I want us to be at the forefront of stipulating these tunnels as law in the hope that other councils will follow our lead. Hedgehogs along with many other wild animals have suffered so much from human development so I hope it’s going to be successful to give them a helping hand through our planning system.

Allen Davenport

Cirencester

Don’t cover carrot seeds Well over 50 years ago, an old-timer gave my mother this hint for better carrot yields. After putting the seeds in a row, do not cover with dirt. Instead, walk down the row. That presses the seeds into the soil just enough. Mum and I have followed this advice ever since and it works.

Anna Graham 10

Culver’s Root is a wildflower to take note of One plant which I think deserves a mention in your coverage of British wildflowers is Culver’s Root. It is a native erect perennial, an easy to spot plant, which grows up to seven feet in height, with round, green to dark green, smooth or slightly hairy stems, sometimes branching near the top. I see it a lot in the Devon lanes near me and it is spectacular.

The unbranched stems are topped by several spikes of densely clustered, tiny, white flowers. The total effect is candelabra-like. Narrowly oval, dark-green leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem. The common name was to honour Dr. Culver who prescribed the plant as an effective laxative.

The genus name, a combination of Veronica and the suffix astrum (“false”), describes this plant’s resemblance to the Veronicas. It is the only species in the genus. It can be grown easily in wildflower gardens. The root contains a powerful emetic and cathartic.

Gabrielle Johns

Poole Country Gardener

Ashburton

A purr-fect read I know your magazine is well worth a read, but it goes beyond human interest! My cat Cokes enjoying the latest edition!

Diane Downs sent by email

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11

THE ROUND BARROW

THE ROUND BARROW TODAY'S LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO TREASURE

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Country Gardener

READERS STORY

VEGAN GARDENING - I’M SURE IT IS THE FUTURE Caroline Blake is studying RHS Level 2 diploma on the principles of horticulture and 12 months ago started to see how effective vegan gardening can be. As a Country Gardener regular reader, Caroline from Bristol shares her experiences so far.

What the hell is vegan gardening? It’s a question if I’ve been asked once I’ve been asked a 100 times.

Over the past 11 months I have been working on soil in the garden where no animals are harmed – and that includes slugs. Already I can see in raised beds, borders, and other areas of my test garden that it will be worth the effort.

I am studying vegan gardening alongside my ‘proper job’ on the RHS Level 2 course. I can say now it has already opened what’s possible in the garden. There will be resistance from gardeners who are successful with their own tried and tested methods, but nothing should stay still, should it?

Horticulture has been much the same for a long while: sow seeds, add manure, water and feed, and kill pests. But now, something revolutionary could transform the old world of grow-your-own: vegan gardening.

Vegan gardening is a very organic method that avoids any animal input – from manure to fertiliser.

This does not mean animals should be excluded from the garden, in fact with veganic gardening wildlife is encouraged. Without the wildlife found in your garden your plants cannot flourish and thrive.

When it comes to growing your own, I’ve already found it is important how animal products are used. Growing vegan is not as hard as you may first think and is not something you can necessarily change all at once.

I am not an experienced gardener, so I don’t have to change age old methods all at once. The good news is that there may be aspects of your gardening that is already vegan and there is no single way to garden to vegan principles.

I have already been taught that soil fertility cannot be maintained without manure, as it is known for containing a healthy mix of carbon and nitrogen. However, this is not true. A Greek farmer has proved that there is a natural compost alternative, using olive trees, that is just as (if not more) effective as manure.

In vegan gardening it is vital what you put on your crops. Animal manures used to help plants grow can be contaminated with infectious diseases such as E coli and listeria, as well as persistent herbicides.

My focus on my vegan gardening is to make my own compost carefully and hopefully efficiently from nitrogenrich green material grass cuttings, peelings, leafy prunings and carbon-rich brown material dry leaves, straw, card, shredded woody prunings, sourced from kitchen, household and garden waste.

The high-quality compost produced especially wonder crops of broad beans, squashes and courgettes last autumn.

It’s not just animal manure that should be avoided: many commercial composts and fertilisers contain animal products such as blood, fish and bone – by-products.

So, what else have I been doing to boost my plants? I make comfrey-based liquid fertiliser with chopped comfrey or nettles, borage or seaweed in a bucket of water and leave it for a few weeks until it starts to stink. Dilute and decant over crops to add nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as vitamin B12. These are the three primary ingredients required for healthy plant growth – comfrey’s high potassium levels particularly aid fruit production.

It is unethical to kill pests and diseases. But with an ecosystem of weed banks, covering crops and the consequent beneficial insects in place, you shouldn’t have to.

There is one aspect of vegan gardening that is easier than conventional gardening: you don’t need to dig. Digging over wrecks the soil and its fauna, creating compaction and erosion. Hoe off weeds instead; you should get fewer weeds anyway, because digging creates a hotbed for weed seeds. As you want to avoid harming the wildlife in a veganic gardening approach, digging is something to be avoided. Within soil is a high complex ecosystem so to avoid disrupting this, I have adopted a no-dig approach.

The positive part of vegan gardening is the benefits for animals and insects; the aim is not to kill anything, and as far as possible leave garden wildlife alone. Insects and invertebrates (particularly worms) are essential parts of a garden’s ecosystem, whether they are maintaining soil structure or providing a link in the food chain.

I am not making any conclusions about vegan gardening yet. I am going to stick to it as I like the principles it includes, and I think it makes a better garden. It’s also a good story and bearing in mind how in vogue veganism is, this is only going to get bigger.

‘I am not an experienced gardener, so I don’t have to change age old methods all at once. The good news is some aspects of gardening are already vegan and there is no single way to garden to vegan principles’ ‘The positive part of vegan gardening is the benefits for animals and insects; the aim is not to kill anything, and as far as possible leave garden wildlife alone.’

www.countrygardener.co.uk

13

Container gardening

delights

Whether you have a small or large garden, or simply a patio or balcony, container gardening offers wonderful and still perhaps underrated growing opportunities.

Container gardening is booming.

Growing plants in containers is an easy way to create instant and changeable displays outside your back door – especially if you’re short on space.

Many plants can be grown in containers, from hardy bedding plants to bulbs, herbaceous plants, fruit and vegetables and even shrubs and trees.

However, it’s worth knowing how to give your plants the best conditions possible, as container-grown plants need a little more care than those growing in the ground.

Why containers really need you You must remember you are totally in charge of the wellbeing of your container. They may be outside and exposed to the elements, but two things make life difficult for them. The first is they have a limited amount of compost for their roots to grow into. This restricts both the food and water they can get. Secondly, dense foliage acts as an umbrella and can seriously affect the amount of rain they can enjoy so for the most part they are dependent on you for water. Remember also to feed from April to September.

Choose the right location Plants that require a lot of sun should receive at least six hours of sunlight a day, so should be placed in a south or west-facing location. Shade-loving plants should be grown in pots placed in shade. Ideally, choose a sheltered spot for your containers, to stop cold, drying winds harming your plants – containers placed below walls and fences and hedges are in good locations. If placing pots on a wall or balcony, ensure they are fixed securely.

Choose the right container Containers come in many shapes, sizes, colours and materials. Opt for conventional plastic, terracotta or wooden pots and troughs, or be creative by recycling buckets, bathroom furniture or tins. The only rules are that your container should be large enough to provide your plants with the room they need to grow, and that they have adequate drainage.

Choose the right compost When filling your container choose sieved home-made compost or multipurpose from the garden centre, as 14

these are nutrient-rich, lightweight and moistureretentive. Avoid using garden soil as this is heavy and is likely to contain weed seeds which can out-compete your plants. If growing perennials you’ll need to scrape off the top layer and replace it with fresh compost annually.

Watering Watering is the number one priority for containers as the plants won’t have access to moisture below ground. On a hot sunny day they can dry out within hours and plants might not recover from serious wilting. Site containers as close to a water source as you can to make this an easy job.

On hot days water plants thoroughly in the early morning or evening, making sure that you don’t just wet the surface but allow it to soak down to the roots.

For convenience, drip irrigation can be installed particularly useful if you will be away from home during part of the summer.

Feeding Plants in pots have less access to nutrients than those in the ground, so will need additional feeding. Use slowrelease fertilisers or add liquid feed to your watering can.

Plants should be fed around every fortnight during the growing season.

Growing veggies in pots has lots of advantages If you’re new to growing your own vegetables, growing plants in pots is a great beginner gardening project.

You can keep things small-scale, moving onto a larger vegetable patch as you learn and become more confident.

The other element of growing vegetables in pots that suits new gardeners is the low maintenance aspect. It’s easier and quicker to take care of plants in pots than it is to keep on top of a whole vegetable garden or allotment.

In addition, containers are relatively portable, so if your plants aren’t thriving you can easily move them to a different location.

Containers are also perfect if you want to grow your own vegetables in a small space. You don’t even need a

Containers in your garden – things to remember Containers can dry out easily so you need to water and feed much more frequently Only small amounts of vegetables can be grown in containers, so match the size of the crop to the container.

You can overwinter potted perennials by placing them in an unheated garage or shed – this can protect the plant from extreme fluctuations. Check on the pot occasionally to make sure it doesn’t dry out, and don’t keep them somewhere that is heated – all perennials need a period of dormancy.

If the roots are poking out of the bottom of the container that’s a sure sign it needs repotting. It might sound obvious but too many gardeners ignore this.

Most of the time plants that are grown in containers have fewer problems with diseases than plants grown in the soil. Fewer pesky pests: Insects that move from plant to plant in the garden are less likely to discover plants on a balcony, veranda or decking.

Containers are the perfect home for colourful annuals and half-hardy perennials - both of which are sometimes called ‘patio plants’ or bedding. Most shrubs, climbers, herbaceous perennials, grasses and even trees can be grown in containers.

Country Gardener

garden. Containers allow you to grow vegetables in pots on a balcony, outside a front door, on a window ledge, or on a hanging bracket. This makes growing vegetables in pots easy, regardless of the size of your outdoor space.

Growing vegetables in pots, baskets and containers allows you to adjust the height of your garden too. This is particularly helpful if your movement is restricted, or you struggle to garden at ground level. Being able to play with height is also a fantastic way to create a bigger container vegetable garden in a small space by using a range of pot sizes, trellis or even shelving.

Choose a sheltered spot for your pots, so your plants are kept out of cold, drying winds. Walls, fences and hedges are good locations, or try to screen the pots to reduce the effects of the wind.

Salads - Salad leaves only need a shallow container a few inches deep. If summers are hot in your location, choose an area that gets morning sunshine and afternoon shade to avoid the plants ‘bolting’ or running to seed before they’re ready for harvest.

Tomatoes - Tomatoes need plenty of soil to supply enough nutrients right up to harvest. Many varieties such as ‘Tumbling Tom’ can be grown in hanging baskets and look great as they trail towards the floor. Tomatoes are very thirsty so will need lots of water - at least twice a day in hot weather.

Potatoes - Potatoes can be grown in large pots or bags and sacks designed specifically for the job. The seed potatoes (or potato eyes) are layered with the potting mix, left in a sunny spot, and watered as required.

CONTAINER TIPS FROM COUNTRY GARDENER READERS “Don’t focus just on colour, but also texture and leaf sizes.” SUSAN BARBER, Dartmouth “Add more plants than you think you’re going to need.” ANNA HARGREAVES, Bude “Have fun with what you’re selecting for the container—mix edibles and annuals, go for texture! A container is that chance to experiment.

Experiment with the container itself, too.” CHRIS BLACKSTONE “If your container is deep and wide, use a foundation type of plant (eg. boxwood), which will remain as your permanent base plant all year. Then play around seasonally with annuals, colour and texture as fillers. You can even add more height around the foundation plant. You’ll be amazed how many styles you can create to enjoy the same pot all year long.” BETH GREENE “Containers are great to place plants right next to seating so you can enjoy plants, and even fragrance, next to you. They also can bring plants up closer to eye level. Containers are also great to ‘contain’ those beautiful but ‘bully-like’ plants that would otherwise take over the garden inground.” JENNIFER PORTER, Yeovil “Adding a layer of rock to the bottom does not help with drainage. Studies have found this has the opposite effect.” JANET KEYWORTHY, horticulturist

Some ideas for flexible container gardening

1. Add height Mix up the textures and add a sense of height and movement by planting grasses into your pots. And with such a wide variety available, you can use them as part of a complementary colour palette, too.

Bronze-tinged foliage can successfully be paired with heucheras and penstemons.

2. Grow in pots on shelves A tiered shelving structure is a beautiful way to show off your container gardening ideas all year round.

The likes of heather, pansies, sage, and ferns makes a complementary mix – perfect for an autumn display (and why not throw a pumpkin in for good measure?). Mix it up as the seasons change – think bulbs in spring, or bedding plants in summer. Add a gravel topping for a polished finish. Plus, it’ll help to keep moisture in, too.

3. Liven up a wall with pelargoniums Pelargoniums (often known as geraniums) are an easy-care choice for pots and bring tons of colour to a garden.

Their clustered blooms of scarlet, pinks, and whites add a Mediterranean look to a space. And, some varieties have scented foliage, too (try ‘Attar of Roses’ for a real crowd-pleaser). As demonstrated here, they’re a fabulous way to brighten up a dull wall, especially when displayed in brightly glazed planters.

4. Dwarf conifers in pots For modern plots, a row of dwarf conifers is a great way to make a statement whilst bringing a dose of green to a space. Plant a few in a row along a wall for a structural look, or use either side of a gateway for a grand entrance. www.countrygardener.co.uk

5. Simple olive tree in a pot Speaking of potted trees, if you’re looking to transport your plot to sunnier climes, then an olive is a must-have.

In milder regions you can leave these evergreens outdoors all year round, simply keep them in a sunny spot and make sure they have lots of good drainage.

Just a single plant can bring a whole new look to a space – pair with a large terracotta pot for a final rustic flourish.

6. Traditional herbs Pots are perfect for growing all your favourite herbs in one place. Not only will it look lovely, but your cooking will level up a notch as you get creative with all the fresh new flavours.

What’s more, its smaller size makes it a great addition to even the smallest balcony.

7. Patio sized orchard Enchanted by the idea of picking an apple or pear from your very own garden? There’s no doubt that an apple pie made from home-grown produce sounds really rather special.

However, for many of us, the idea of a full-blown orchard is a little far-fetched. But that doesn’t mean to say you can’t create a mini-sized version. Overcome those space limitations with a container, which is perfect for planting espalier fruit trees.

A great choice for a patio, or even a balcony, it can also double up as a screen for added privacy, once planted up.

15

TREE SPECIALIST

ANCIENT TREES

– they are good for the soul Mark Hinsley asks if it is humbling for such a transient creature as a human being to be in the presence of something that lived for a thousand years before us and will live for a thousand years after?

I am not a tree hugger and anthropomorphism drives me potty! There may be some rudimentary communication between trees, possibly facilitated by mycorrhizal fungi, but it is still just a plant.

A tree may have existed for hundreds of years but it did not witness anything.

“Just think what that old tree has seen in its lifetime…….” It saw nothing – it does not have eyes. If you want to know what happened in the Middle Ages – read a book; don’t ask a tree.

However, standing beside an ancient tree, putting your hand on it, feeling the sense of ‘place’ that the tree creates around it, understanding just how long it has been there, can generate profound feelings in people who were not expecting to be affected by the experience at all.

Why? I don’t know. Is it humbling for such a transient creature as a human being to be in the presence of something that lived for a thousand years before us and will live for a thousand years after? Is it our tendency to attribute the characteristics of wise old people to any long-lived thing? Is it the calmness of being in the presence of something so unchanging in what is otherwise an increasingly rapidly changing world? I think these things are very personal and if you want to find out how you feel – go try it!

So how do you find them?

There are plenty of online resources. There is the Ancient Tree Inventory of the Woodland Trust, which has an interactive map. Then there is the Ancient Tree Forum website, which has many items about ancient trees including where to find them in your locality.

If you want to be more specific, look up the Ancient Yew Group where you will find most of the oldest trees in any part of the country.

I use online sites – but I like books. Tree Heritage of Britain and Ireland by Andrew Morton, ISBN 1 85310 559 7 is a treasured volume. It breaks the country down to regions

WHAT IS AN ANCIENT TREE? How old an ancient tree is depends on the species.

Some species can live longer than others with yews, oaks and sweet chestnuts topping the age charts at over 1000 years. Other species, including birch and willow, live shorter lives.

A tree is defined as ancient if it is • In the third or final stage of its life (this stage can go on for decades or centuries).

• Old relative to others of the same species.

• Interesting biologically, aesthetically or culturally because of its great age.

16

WHAT DO ANCIENT TREES LOOK LIKE? Ancient trees don’t always look the same, depending on the species and where it grows. But in general, there are several ancient characteristics and the more a tree has the older it’s likely to be.

Look for these key features: • Crown that is reduced in size and height • Large girth in comparison to other trees of the same species • Hollow trunk which may have one or more openings to the outside • Stag-headed appearance (look for dead, bare, antler-like branches in the crown) • Fruit bodies of heart-rot fungi growing on the trunk • Cavities on trunk and branches, running sap or pools of water forming in hollows • Rougher or more creviced bark • An ‘old’ look with lots of character • Aerial roots growing down into the decaying trunk

and provides maps and descriptions of trees of historic note in whichever area you live in or are going to on holiday.

Many counties have their own local trees of note publications. I have a soft spot for The Great Trees of Dorset by Andrew Pollard and Emma Brawn published by Dorset Wildlife Trust, because I directed Emma to some of them!

You can find leaflets on local trees produced by town and parish councils in Tourist Information Offices or council offices’ reception areas. Some of them are good with maps and descriptions – some can be a bit dodgy!

I was walking around a churchyard looking at yew trees with the Vicar when he showed me a young golden foliage yew. He said the local council had listed it as having been planted by Queen Victoria. However, 20ft away was a Country Gardener

larger common yew with a gravestone beside it which stated that the yew had been planted to commemorate the death of Queen Victoria in 1901 which they appeared to have missed!

Old trees also show up on the 1:2500 OS maps of usually around 1870, they rarely show them after that, and some descriptions can be found in volumes such as Arthur Mees’ The King’s England series which you can find in old bookshops or even charity shops county by county.

So, my challenge to you, gentle reader, is: find out where the ancient trees with public access are near you, go and find them, and see how they make you feel.

Main image: This famous sessile or Big Belly oak, in the royal forest of Savernake, between Malborough and Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire, has a girth of more than 11m. The tree has allegedly been around since the time of William The Conqueror and is estimated to be 1,000 to 1,100 years old.

Inset: There are several yew trees in Tisbury churchyard near Salisbury, but the largest of them is very special indeed. It is thought to be the second oldest in Britain, around 4,000 years old.

Mark Hinsley runs Arboricultural Consultants Ltd offering tree consultancy services.

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TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSORIES

ACCESSORISING our gardens The perceptions of our gardens continue to change and as they do, a huge range of garden accessories and technologies are now tempting us to get the balance right between old fashioned gardening and new style relaxation, comfort and security There was a time when gardening was probably green fingers and a rusty old mower.

It used to work within the then low expectations of gardening and spending time in the garden.

But that is not the way of things now. With less of us moving home as often as we once did, we are looking for ways to adapt our homes to meet our changing needs.

Plants, greenery, grow your own are thankfully the core to why we love gardening but pressures on our time, the importance of a garden being a place to relax and enjoy rather than just constantly work in has brought a great choice of products to the market. And with it opportunities to personalise our outdoor space.

Blurring the lines between outside and in is still a huge growing trend, as homeowners look to extend living spaces. Whether that’s a wellness space, creating a covered veranda area or acting as an extension to a playroom – we’re looking to extend our lives to our outdoor spaces.

It means comfort with outdoor furniture, embracing technology with high tech security systems , cutting down on hard work with inventive solutions to gardening problems and more.

Gardens are fast becoming a space where we are spending more and more of our time with family and friends. Often more than not it needs to flex to meet several purposes – an oasis for quiet contemplation and an entertaining space for social get togethers.

Garden technology has also progressed in leaps and bounds with new ideas.

The use of smart garden technology is on the rise, allowing everyone from seasoned gardeners to total amateurs to home builders to make the most of it and to make life easier.

Technology has over the past ten years started to win over the most sceptical gardener as smart gardening takes advantage of the technology.

Smart technology is all the rage but did you know it translates to useful help in the garden and in the way you can achieve more with your outdoor space. Gardening with technology can help with chores and tasks common in the landscape and offer reliability when it comes to things like garden security and transforming outdoor spaces.

More products are being developed to help lower our carbon footprint, simplify chores and help us be wiser consumers. Such technology can enhance plant care, help with landscape design and inform us of the best plants for specific sites. In an imagined future, all the drudgery of gardening will be removed, leaving only the pleasurable aspects of maintaining your home.

GARDEN SECURITY – rural theft is a worry for many gardeners and homeowners but technology now offers hugely effective monitoring systems linked to mobile phones to offer alerts and gather evidence.

RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE PATIO AWNINGS – technology has made lots of progress to help homeowners convert indoor to outdoor space with confidence on how awnings can be fitted and operate.

SMART SPRINKLERS – Smart sprinklers do more than just schedule irrigation. They can determine breaks and leaks in the system, save water, adjust to accommodate weather and often can be monitored and changed via your phone or computer.

SMART MOWERS –automated lawn mowers or robotic mowers are now perhaps not common but widely accepted by gardeners. It operates similarly to robotic vacuums only in a mower. No more sweating in the hot sun trying to get the lawn cut.

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TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSORIES

Gorgeous nine seater Corner sofa – £400 off

HOW TO TRANSFORM YOUR OUTDOOR GARDEN SPACE Great British Awnings are passionate about helping their clients transform their outdoor garden spaces.

It’s the opportunity to make the most of the great British weather, despite changeable conditions. You can enjoy Indian summer evenings and time outdoors whatever the season. Providing shelter from the sun, rain and wind, their stylish designs offer shade and a comfortable temperature.

The company offers a choice of products and finishes, from automated patio awnings as well as beautiful pergolas. Innovative enhanced features can include heating and ambient lighting.

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Bayliss Autovents are leading the way with their range of Greenhouse vents which are environmentally friendly and provide a non-electric option for every gardener.

Relying on the sun and natural air temperatures to operate, the hotter it gets the wider the autovent will open, allowing your greenhouse to maintain its best operating temperature. Designed and tested to last many years, Bayliss Autovents have the lowest failure rates in the industry and are manufactured from the highest quality materials, and each autovent is guaranteed for two years. Every part of a Bayliss Autovent can be serviced and if the need should arise, we carry spares for all our current units as well as many earlier models.

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21

D N A W R B NE

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The Kress robot mower range has been designed from the ground up, featuring a raft of innovative technologies, that will set the industry standards for the coming years.

Kress believes robotic mowers should do more than relieve users of the burden of pushing a mower each week.

As well as saving both time and cost, Kress Mission robotic mowers are also enabled to take autonomous decisions to protect and enhance the health of turf through innovative technology.

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The new 60V max battery garden power tool range from Kress sets new standards in operating comfort, features and design. The quality-manufactured tools are driven by high-performance brushless motors and exceptionally powerful Kress 60V max batteries. As a result, they are a green alternative to petrol tools, even for challenging jobs.

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TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSORIES

Wire Anchors from Rivelin Glen Keeping shrubs and climbers under control is always a problem. You can control them effectively using Rivelin Glen Products uniquely designed Wire Anchors. They are quick and easy to attach to concrete posts (without drilling) to act as an ‘eye’ by threading wire through them to create a trellising system. The Gripple No drilling fixture Trellising System is ideal to use with the Wire Anchors as the wire does not stretch, takes up to 100kg load & has a life of up to 15 years. Multiple rows can be achieved with one length of wire and two tensioners. No more sore hands or sagging wires!

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Prices: Wire Anchors from £10 for a pack of three; Gripple Starter Kit - £19.75 Details available at: www.rivelinglenproducts.com

Fabulous bespoke glass verandas - up to 25 per cent off* You can enjoy your garden throughout the year, whatever the weather with a stylish Eden Veranda and now available with a superb finance deal – Buy Now, Pay 2023 plus you can save up to 25 per cent off* Eden Veranda’s summer sale.

Constructed from the highest quality materials and bespoke manufactured, an Eden Veranda is a stunning addition to any home. With accessories such as intelligent heating and lighting you can spend more time ‘outdoors’ in comfort. Every Eden Veranda is powder coated with a hard-wearing weatherproof finish, available in a choice of 56 colours and installed by experienced engineers.

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Personalised and bespoke designs made from mild steel

Beechwood Trinkets are a family run business, based in the heart of ruby country Devon near the Cornish border who design and make garden sculptures large and small along with home wall art décor.

All their products are made from mild steel, handcrafted and finished to a high-quality standard.

They also create personalised and bespoke designs so please feel free to contact them with any requests.

To see their full range visit their online shop at www.beechwoodtrinkets.com can also follow them on Instagram and Facebook for up to date feeds and new creations along with amazing competitions.

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High technology with uWatch offers security for house and garden

No mains, no wifi connection

An alert on activity is sent to your phone in 30 seconds 24

The uWatch security system keeps a close eye on your valuable assets and property. The system encompasses game changing long-range (LoRa) technology that encodes information on radio waves using ‘chirp pulses’ – like the way dolphins and bats communicate!

The no mains power, no WiFi uWatch Cube security camera is a buddy for your smartphone and communicates picture alerts to your app in under a minute.

Rural theft cost the UK an estimated £43.3m in 2020 (NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report 2021). Skilled and highly-organised criminals continue to plague communities, smallholdings, and allotment gardeners, often visiting victim sites to identify what they are going to steal, and confusing victims as to why an intruder broke in but left empty handed. The thieves will then go away to list the item(s) and sell it, returning later to steal the item(s) once sold.

The Secured by Design approved Cube is a portable and instantly deployable alerting system to suit numerous applications, from simple peace of mind care monitoring to real time crime detection. uWatch Limited is a member of Secured by Design, the UK police initiative to help ‘design out’ crime through the use of highquality, innovative products and processes.

If any of the sensors (PIR motion, shock, temperature or Bluetooth/LoRa) are activated, an alert is typically received to your smartphone in under 30 seconds. If configured to do so, the alert will contain a date and time stamped picture (important evidence the police need), GPS location, temperature and the name of the sensor activated.

Innovative LoRa technology has replaced Bluetooth to link the Country Gardener

uWatch Cube II with remote sensors (tags). There are several versatile applications for tags, as they allow a single Cube to monitor several valuable assets and points of entry, with alerts telling you exactly which tag has been activated, and when, in around a minute.

This means that the Cube can monitor multiple assets simultaneously at distance, this could be your shed door, bike and gate.

LoRa is a wireless data transmission technique that sends encoded information on radio waves. Thanks to this, transmission is robust against disturbances and data can be transmitted at a longer range compared to technologies like WiFi or Bluetooth. These features make LoRa well suited for sensors.

In trials of recent developments, sensor activations were received over 13km but in practical applications reliable alerts were received up to 2km (with few obstructions) and 400m (through thick woodland and buildings), from a battery powered alerting device (shock tag) that fits in the palm of your hand.

LoRa works using low frequency radio waves more powerful than the higher frequency Bluetooth, hence the longer range, which in applications that do not require to transmit large amounts of data, is a significant advantage. This higher power also allows LoRa to better penetrate obstacles Following on from recent trials, the alerting system has welcomed many enhancements including a solar powered version of the Cube and PIR (movement) and magnetic switch tags (suitable for gate monitoring) to suit particular applications.

The Secured by Design panel stated that the uWatch system will help “prevent, reduce and solve crime” and that “there is nothing like it on the market.”

The uWatch system allows us all to take responsibility for the security of our possessions and join forces with our local community and the police to fight crime.

Contact the uWatch Team uwatchadmin@uwatch.co.uk or call 01491 651229

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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Garden advice If you have any queries, questions or gardening problems you are struggling to solve then write to us at Country Gardener Magazine, Mount House, Halse, Taunton TA4 3AD or email editorial@countrygardener.co.uk We have a huge postbag of queries and cannot promise to answer them all but will do our best.

How can I stop badgers digging up my lawn? It is become a scene of devastation over the last few weeks.

Alan Briton Chard Like rural foxes, badgers are becoming more tolerant of us, venturing into our gardens in search of easy pickings. This is good news for badger lovers but with their powerful front legs and sharp claws they can destroy a lawn or compost heap in minutes.

Badgers are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foodstuffs, including earthworms, insect larvae, plant bulbs, and fruit and vegetables. When they dig holes in your garden or compost heap they are looking for food. Other common sources of food that will attract them include spilled bird food, especially peanuts, which they love.

Badgers are a protected species, so you must not trap, harm or otherwise interfere with them. Removing potential food sources is the easiest course of action. This means not allowing spilled bird seed to accumulate on the floor.

You could try feeding the badgers in a controlled area for them to enjoy in a non-destructive way, sidestepping the problem.

Peanuts always go down well and a steady supply on the patio will enable you to enjoy watching them without risking your lawn.

Be aware though: once you’ve started feeding them, you’ll have to maintain it, otherwise they’ll learn that your garden is a great source of food and if you don’t provide it they’ll forage for it themselves.

Our home-grown compost is full of unwanted seedlings and very disappointing as it is ruining the quality of the heap. What have I been doing wrong?

Amanda Porter Minehead You shouldn’t add weeds that are in seed or even in the late part of their blooming cycle to the compost to avoid the problem. Heat or lack of it is most often the answer.

The bigger the compost pile, the more heat it produces… and heat kills seeds, even weed seeds.

If you don’t have a compost thermometer, try sinking your hand into the pile. If it’s so hot for you to feel uncomfortable, it’s heating up enough.

Do not forget to turn the pile regularly, not only because that helps to oxygenate it and thus stimulates microbial life, leading to and maintaining higher temperatures, but also so the ingredients on the outside of the pile, where it’s cooler, can also get their full heat treatment.

We have a new Devon garden but much of it is on a sloping site.

Are there any plants which will help to stabilise it?

Marie Grahame Graham Barnstaple Sloped properties pose challenges with their potential to erode, dry out, and their exposure. The first steps to planting a sloping area are to evaluate the pitch and runoff. If the pitch is more than 30 degrees, it might be a good idea to terrace the area to prevent topsoil from eroding and all moisture evacuating every time you water or it rains.

Although growing plants on a hillside can be a challenge, once established they can transform the area and help keep soil from slowly sweeping down into the flatter parts of the terrain. Taller shrubs and bushes add many seasons of interest and will help give the area a sculpted appeal.

Just remember that young plants will need additional moisture, staking and training as they establish. To keep maintenance down, choose plants that produce very little mess which would otherwise require extra work to clean up annually. Some plants that work well on slopes include: burning bush, fragrant sumac, Japanese yew, California lilac, creeping juniper, dwarf forsythia, snowberry, and cypresses.

Horsetail is invading my allotment and spreading all over neighbouring plots. I am not sure how to control it without chemicals which I am not keen on using.

Andy Parker Cheltenham Horsetail roots go down as far two metres in some cases, so the deeper you dig the better and that is the best option- digging it all out. Getting as much of the root out is crucial. And never put it in your compost heap – burn it.

According to the RHS horsetail can persist for several years. Because rhizomes lay dormant for a number of years, they’ll quite happily survive in a compost bin, until you empty out your compost bin into your borders.

It’s very difficult to get the whole plant and root structure out of the ground, so it’s inevitable you’ll miss a bit. Once dug out, plant something else into the ground such as marigolds or dahlias to take up some of the moisture and create shade.

If you have a large area that’s covered in horsetail – it can be back breaking work to dig this out manually. You’re better off covering the area with heavy duty black matting and leaving the area for a year or two.

See the article on weeds on page 50.

26

How can I get rid of geranium sawfly from my garden?

Tamsin Danvers Poole The greyish green larvae of geranium sawfly feed on geranium leaves during spring and summer.

Sawflies are small winged insects, related to bees, wasps and ants. Their caterpillarlike larvae feed on the leaves or fruits of certain plants, including apples, gooseberries and Solomon’s seal. However they rarely cause severe defoliation and are part of the biodiversity a healthy garden can support. Encourage predators and other natural enemies of sawfly in the garden, such as birds and ground beetles. Check plants regularly from May for the presence of larvae and remove by hand where practical.

Country Gardener

Can I grow plants from banana seeds? I read something a while ago and have been tempted to try.

Katie Walters Exeter You cannot grow a banana tree from a commercially cultivated banana fruit. But, if you can get hold of seeds from a supplier then yes it is possible.

If you want to grow seed grown bananas, be aware that the resulting fruit will not be like those you buy in the shops. They will contain seeds and, depending upon the variety, might be so large that the fruit is difficult to get to. But if you really want to try, begin germinating the banana seeds, soak the seed in warm water for 24 to 48 hours to break the seed dormancy. This softens the seed coat, enabling the embryo to sprout more easily and rapidly. The time that a banana seed germinates, again, depends on the variety. Some germinate in two to three weeks while others may take two or more months, so be patient when propagating banana plants via seed.

COMPETITION Lily of the valley is growing like a weed in my garden, and I can’t get rid of it. I appreciate some of your readers will be aghast at this but it has spread far too much and I must try and do something about it.

Joanna Prescott-Smith Winchester Lily of the valley, scientifically referred to as Convallaria majalis, is a beautiful plant with a delightful scent. It’s nice to have in your garden, but yes can be annoying when it spreads and takes over what’s nearby.

Some do consider it an invasive plant. The rhizomes or the roots of it can form large colonies.

Even a small rhizome left in the soil can grow into a full-grown plant. Killing off lily of the valley isn’t impossible, but it needs patience and persistence. Using your spade or a flatbladed shovel, dig up the plants and as many roots as you can. Then, rake the area to remove any roots that are stuck to the soil. You may need to wear your gloves and use your hands to sift through the soil and remove any smaller pieces of the roots left behind.

Lastly, bag up the removed lily of the valleys and dispose of them. This method is best done when the soil is moist. It’s effective and environmentally friendly, but it needs a lot of effort and patience.

My olive tree planted about seven years ago is decidedly unhealthy looking, with hardly any leaves on the bottom two thirds of the plant. Is it dying?

Neal Elliot Bristol It might be too early to say and certainly don’t give up yet. One of the biggest indicators of an olive tree’s health is its leaves. If they’re dropping off the tree more than they usually do, as you say yours is. Then something serious is up.

Olive trees can thrive in dry, hot conditions in the Mediterranean, so it’s perhaps not surprising that excessive amounts of water can jeopardise their growth and overall health. If the soil your tree is planted in doesn’t drain effectively enough, the tree can become waterlogged quite quickly – an olive’s roots are small and shallow. Prolonged overwatering can lead to leaves dropping off and the roots rotting away.

If you’ve recently moved your olive tree to a new location, it can take time to adjust. Moving it from a sunny spot into a shadier one can ‘shock’ the tree, leading to a loss of leaves – as can intense temperatures.

Hedges on three sides of my garden are in a bad state, scruffy and overgrown. I just couldn’t fine the time to cut them back in the late winter. I am very worried now about doing anything with the nesting season in full throttle but how long do I have to wait?

Dan Ferris Torquay The law is very clear – you must avoid hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs throughout March to August each year. This can be weather dependent, and some birds may nest outside this period, so it is important to always check carefully for active nests prior to cutting.

Although within the Wildlife & Countryside Act no dates are legally stated between which hedges cannot be trimmed, cut, laid or coppiced, the main bird breeding season is recognised as being between 1st March and 31st July. Therefore, the risk of committing any of the above offences is increased between these dates. All wild birds are protected. This includes their nests (whilst in use or being built) as well as any eggs the nest may contain. Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), it is an offence to cut hedges back between these dates.

Why do my biodegradable pots go mouldy? It seems to happen every year.

Sharon Smith Liphook The whitish or brown moulds that grow on the surface of peat pots and other organic materials are unsightly but will not harm healthy seedlings.

However, the presence of moulds may indicate excessive moisture levels. It is very possible that you have been overwatering them and this is the result. Overwatering may lead to damping-off and other serious problems.

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Backdoorshoes® flip-flops are a perfect accessory for any outing. Their range is colourful and features unique patterns to include Meadow, Poppies, Bluebells and Grass.

We are delighted to be offering you a chance to win a pair of Flip Flops by entering our competition.

Backdoorshoes® clogs were created to solve the problem of how to make quick trips into the garden without having to bother with boots or fiddle with laces - and without getting soggy socks. They slip on and off easily, and are waterproof, lightweight, durable and comfortable. They are made from a vegan-friendly foam EVA formula that won’t crack or perish, with removable washable insoles.

The array of colourful, characterful designs continues to expand with Bees and Slate joining the men’s Chunky Tread range, in sizes UK 8-14 and Green Camo added to the women’s range which come in sizes UK 3-8.

For more information on the ever increasing range (to include Ultralight Wellies and Chelsea ‘Jumpy’ Boots) visit www.backdoorshoes.co.uk and check out the entertaining new videos for more reasons why every back door needs Backdoorshoes®

To enter just answer the following question...

Name either one of the new Men’s Chunky Tread range.

Put your answer on a postcard and sent to: Backdoorshoes Competition, Country Gardener Magazine, Mount House, Halse, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3AD. Closing date for entries is Wednesday, 30th June. The competition winners will be announced in the next available edition of Country Gardener.

www.countrygardener.co.uk

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GLORIOUSLY GARDENS

rewilding

The NGS has embraced the change in gardening habits and is now offering more diverse gardens for the public to see which reflect wild and woodland gardens

Any ideas about rewilding in our gardens seems a contradiction in terms when you think of the National Garden Scheme, which historically was all about the large gardens, manicured lawns, rhododendrons and roses, and even the more modest modern gardens on display have been expected to be neat and tidy.

Now the NGS has embraced the change in gardening habits and the need to reflect the growing awareness of climate change; the gardens that open for the organisation to raise funds for nursing and caring charities are much more diverse. There are many gardens opening for the NGS these days with wild meadow planting in urban spaces and woodland gardens, as well as those with neat borders, tidy lawns and areas of modern landscaping.

In rural west Dorset there are three new gardens opening in June for the NGS that have taken the principles of caring for nature even further, with brilliant displays of rewilding, at Hooke Farm, Hooke, Beaminster, Hogchester Farm at Charmouth, and Wyke Farm, Chedington near Beaminster.

“As the concept of rewilding has come to the fore, I felt that it was important that we started to include gardens and rewilding projects within the National Garden Scheme,” says Alison Wright, South West Regional Chair and Dorset County Organiser.

“Following the pandemic many of our gardens in Dorset have been extended to include wildflower meadows, woodland walkways, and have also started to embrace a return to nature, allowing our visitors to enjoy greater diversity on an open day. This year we have three important rewilding projects opening for us for the first time, Hooke Farm, Hogchester Farm and Wyke Farm. The knowledge and expertise of these garden owners is exceptional, and I am delighted that we will be able to share these fabulous rewilding projects with a wider gardening audience.”

Hooke Farm, Hooke, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3NZ opens for the NGS on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June, 10.30am-5.30pm both days.

HOOKE FARM has been transformed into a peatfree wildlife haven with bird boxes, bat caves, butterflies and bee-friendly wildflower meadows.

The landscaping project includes a series of ponds in a wetland area, orchard trees and woodland planting all interlinked with mown paths through swaying grass. There are standing stones, a stilted henhouse, a giant throne and driftwood stags.

There will be talks and guided tours on both afternoons, covering different aspects of wilding and environmentally friendly gardening. This will include butterflies, moths, reptiles, weed control, tree maintenance, grassland management and how to attract insects and birds.

Admission £8, children £4. Locally sourced lunch, cream teas and refreshments throughout the day, or you can bring a picnic. Dogs are allowed on leads and there’s partial wheelchair access.

Wyke Farm, Chedington, Beaminster, Dorset DT8 3HX opens for the NGS on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th, 9.30am-5pm both days.

Hogchester Farm, Axminster Road, Charmouth, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6BY opens for the NGS on Saturday 25th June and Saturday 16th July, 9am6pm both open days.

The farm house garden was planted when the building of the house was finished in 2005. There are herbaceous borders and lawns around the house. There is a rose garden that leads to a woodland garden, then a more formal courtyard garden that leads through the barn to a kitchen garden. At the front of the house there are wildflower meadows which the owners have been establishing for about 15 years.

HOGCHESTER FARM is a collaboration between those seeking connection with nature and themselves through conservation therapy and the arts. The 75-acre old dairy farm has been largely gifted to nature which has helped to preserve the overflowing abundance of natural life. Having worked closely with the Dorset Wildlife Trust, Hogchester Farm has been able to preserve wild meadows and wilding areas which are filled with local flora and fauna including wild orchids, foxgloves and primroses.

The farm offers something for everyone, making a great family day out with a treasure hunt for children in the wild meadow area, many animals including rare breed sheep, goats, pigs and horses, as well as horticulture based therapy for general mental health and well-being.

Admission £4, children £1. Café on the hillside will offer tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes and light refreshments. Coaches are allowed and this is a venue offering accommodation.

Admission £8, children free. Refreshments available, in aid of Horatio’s Garden. Plants will be on sale and there’s wheelchair access, although the paths are gravel.

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Country Gardener

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

INDULGE YOURSELF with a

gardening day out There is no better time to indulge a passion in visiting gardens than in the long languid days of June.

Flower borders are bursting with bold, beautiful colours and the grass has yet to turn to the colour of straw.

It’s also a bumper time for garden events, villages and communities work hard with open gardens, plant shows and plant fairs who tempt gardeners to buy plants and the great and famous gardens of the south west are all at their best.

Our favourite reason to visit gardens is to find inspiration, make a note of plants that catch your eye, take photos, and see if there’s anything you can take home with you as an idea for your own gardens.

You might find something unique.

Certainly, this is the time of year when many gardens are at their peak – full of spectacular displays of roses clambering up walls and across pergolas, or swathes of lavender bushes that release a heady scent as you brush past. We’ve rounded up some of the summer gardens and events to visit, so you can make the most of the season.

Cotswold Garden Flowers at their June best Who could not fail to want to visit the Cotswold Garden Flowers display garden developed over 30 years by Bob Brown and discover which plants have become established in their limey clay soil. Tulipa sprengeri, camassia and other summer flowering bulbs have found plenty of spaces to fill. We are also growing a range of peonies and lots of other plants. Many of these plants can be bought from the sales area. Enjoy a day out in Evesham Vale and feel free to picnic at the nursery. Dogs on leads please.

Cotswold Garden Flowers, Sands Lane, Badsey, Evesham 01386 833849 info@cgf.net Enjoy a day out in Evesham Vale

www.cgf.net

Visit Dartington’s Grade II* listed gardens

Badminton House Garden Open Days SUNDAYS 19TH JUNE AND 4TH SEPTEMBER 2022 10AM-4PM

Tickets PRE-BOOKED TICKETS £7.50 PER ADULT ON THE DAY ENTRY £10 CHILDREN UNDER 12: FREE

Tickets and full information available through the website: www.badmintonestate.com

Experience the tranquillity of our Grade II* listed gardens, the only example of landscape architect Beatrix Farrand’s work in the UK, featuring lawned terraces, colourful borders, woodland glades, ancient trees and original sculptures including a Henry Moore.

Any questions please contact the Estate Office on 01454 218203 or by email estateoffice@badmintonestate.com

Dartington.org www.countrygardener.co.uk

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GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

Eighth garden festival hosted in Bishop’s Palace gardens, Wells The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens in Wells is the popular venue for the eighth garden festival held in a spectacular setting on Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June.

The 14-acre grounds will feature guided tours, live music, expert speakers, delicious food, skills and crafts and several stalls, including nurseries selling unusual and popular plants.

Mark Bobin, head gardener at Minterne Gardens will be talking about the Himalayan garden deep in the Dorset countryside - its history, its plants and plans for the future.

Troy Scott Smith, head gardener at Sissinghurst and Sarah Venn from Incredible Edible in Bristol will also be giving talks over the weekend.

Three of the region’s most skilled florists will also be on hand to advise visitors on how to get the best out of this year’s flowers. One highlight will be Saturday’s demonstrations

by Maria Heffer of The Bath Greenhouse. Maria’s detailed demonstration will spill the secrets of how dried flowers can make a fabulous bouquet.

The festival is a fundraising event for the Palace Trust with tickets priced at £13.50 for adults, £10 for students/Blue Lights discount, £6.50 for five year olds to 17 years, members and under 5s free.

Tickets are available from the Palace’s website (www.bishopspalace.org.uk) and by telephone on 01749 988 111, with advance discounts and group rates available.

Cadhay celebrates with 40 varieties of roses

VIBRANT COLOUR EXPLODES AT MARWOOD HILL June is a time of vibrant colour at Marwood Hill Garden, with displays of candelabra primulas in yellow, orange, pink, purple and red, planted in drifts along the stream and lake margins. It is also the beginning of the Astilbe season, early flowering varieties such as ‘Europa’, ‘Ceres’ and ‘Queen of Holland’ erupt with pink and white feathery flower plumes located at the heart of the garden.

In the herbaceous borders, brilliant blue iris sibirica rub shoulders with white flowering Phlox, contrasting well with various silver leaved Artemisia and deep plum-purple coloured poppy Papaver ‘Lauren’s Grape’. The Mediterranean terrace, tearoom borders and scree garden show a growing collection of aromatic and colourful salvias in flower.

Elsewhere across the garden the curiously named paradise lily, with its elegant and fragrant spires of white trumpet-flowers. Early flowering hydrangea such as the unusual violet-purple flowering hydrangea serrata ‘preziosa’ and hydrangea aspera Villosa are also well worth a look.

The two medieval fishponds which form the backbone of the Cadhay garden really come into their own at this time of year with their water lilies and edged by flag irises and hostas. There are over 40 varieties of roses in the gardens and the allotments are in great shape this year. The new garden created beyond the pond has just been chosen by a bride and groom as a location for their ceremony which is a great tribute to the designer.

Cadhay is open on Friday afternoons throughout the summer from 2pm. Contact jayne@cadhay.org.uk or 01404 813511

Marwood Hill Garden, Marwood, Nr Guineaford, Barnstaple, EX31 4EB www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk

Cadhay, Ottery Saint Mary EX11 1QT

AT CIRENCEST E R PA RK

Sat 2nd and Sun 3rd July 2022 Ben Atkinson Action Horses Savage Skills BMX Show The Black Stallion Falconry Display Hawkeye Falconry Polo Demonstration Harvesting in Action Parade of Hounds Media Partners

Tree climbing and Go Carts World of Dogs Traditional Rural Skills Cookery Theatre and Food Hall Sheep Show and Rare Breads Pavilion Over 200 Exhibitors & MUCH MUCH MORE!

cotswoldshow.co.uk KIDS GO FREE

Early Bird Tickets

£12

BOOK O

NLINE

Show Partners

Witchampton Open Gardens Four miles north of Wimborne • BH21 5AG

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June 11am - 4.30pm (last entry) 15 Gardens • All day refreshments Plant stall • Arts and crafts stall Live music • Historic photos of Witchampton

Want to advertise in one of our features?

We offer special all counties prices when advertising with our features, plus 100 words of free editorial with an advert.

Speak to one of our sales people for more details.

Admission £8 (under 16 free)

In aid of the church and village organisations 30

Country Gardener

26 acres of tended grounds highlight Dartington as a very special place Dartington’s impressive Grade II* listed gardens have been shaped and inspired by the remarkable custodians of this special place for over 1,000 years. It emits a sense of pure tranquillity.

WELL BEHAVED DOGS ON LEADS WELCOME

Tea Room & Walled Garden Nursery

Nestled in the heart of North Devon, Marwood Hill Garden is a hidden gem Home to four National Plant Heritage collections, this private valley garden spans over 20-acres and showcases three stunning lakes, rare trees & shrubs, and colourful surprises throughout each season. Not only a haven for wildlife, the garden is also the perfect environment to explore and be inspired.

Henry Moore’s ‘Reclining Figure’

Enjoy a day of inspirational and relaxation for the whole family.

Some of the highlights to be found in the 26 acres of tended grounds include an ancient yew tree which is at least 1500 years old, a 150-year-old Lucombe Oak, a row of Sweet Chestnuts which are believed to be over 400 years old, an incredible magnolia collection and the Henry Moore ‘Reclining Figure’ sculpture which was designed specifically for Dartington, among many other delights to be discovered. It is also the only example of landscape architect, Beatrix Farrand’s work in the UK, as she was brought over by Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst from America to redesign the courtyard in the 1930s.

Dartington is an RHS Partner Garden. www.dartington.org Dartington Estate, Totnes, TQ9 6EL

Catch up over coffee and homemade cake or a cream tea in the picturesque Garden Tea Room or take a bit of Marwood magic home with you from our Walled Garden Nursery and Plant Sales.

Enquiries & Tea Room 01271 342528 Plant Sales & Nursery 01271 342577 e info@marwoodhillgarden.co.uk w marwoodhillgarden.co.uk Marwood Hill Gardens, Marwood, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4EA

HARTLAND ABBEY GARDENS SPECTACULAR IN JUNE June is a wonderful time to visit the Hartland Abbey gardens on the north Devon coast and also to see the wildflowers in this hidden corner the county. Hartland is renowned for its foxgloves flowering where St Nectan’s blood from his severed head dripped as he carried it round the parish under his arm! With the lovely walks from the Abbey to the gardens and the sea, wildflowers are in abundance and on the coast in June. The house and gardens will be open as usual from Sundays to Thursdays and on Friday also during the Platinum Jubilee weekend. The main reception rooms and the bedrooms will be closed from June 20th to July 15th for filming but all the exhibitions, museum, gift shop and tea rooms will be open as usual from 11am to 5pm.

All details are on www.hartlandabbey.com Hartland Abbey, Hartland, Stoke, Bideford EX39 6DT

WITCHHAMPTON HAS 15 VILLAGE GARDENS OPEN FOR VISITORS TO ENJOY

GARDENS & TEAROOM Open every Friday 2pm - 5.30pm from 6th May to 30th September

Also last weekend in May & August Bank Holiday weekend - Sat, Sun & Mon GARDENS: adult £5, child £1

CADHAY, OTTERY ST. MARY, DEVON, EX11 1QT 01404 813511 www.cadhay.org.uk Member of Historic Houses

Witchampton is one of the jewels of East Dorset, hugging the high ground to the west of the beautiful Allen valley, four miles north of Wimborne. It dates from Roman times and is considered one of the county’s best preserved villages.

Witchampton’s biennial Open Gardens weekend on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June is an anticipated event and due to Covid, this will be the first such occasion for three years.

Some 15 gardens are scheduled to open over the weekend – the grand and the modest, the formal and the relaxed, riverside and hillside, old friends, and new wannabees. It will include a few gardens that open individually under the National Gardens Scheme.

To accompany this floral extravaganza, there will be food and refreshments, a plants stall, an arts and crafts stall, and hot music and cold beer at the Witchampton Club. There will be free tractor rides through the village. A weekend ticket to all the gardens costs £8 (under 16’s are free) with complementary parking at BH21 5AG. Blue badge parking will also be available. All proceeds go to village activities. For more information contact Tim Read on 01258 840438 or tim@witchampton.org.

Witchampton Open Gardens, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June, 11am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm).

46th Cerne Abbas

Open Gardens About 25 Private Gardens Open

18th & 19th June, 2-6pm Day ticket to all gardens £7 Ticket for 2 days £10 Accompanied children free Teas in St Mary’s Church from 1pm Well stocked plant stall from 1pm Free Car Park (DT2 7GD) from 1pm Equal proceeds to: Young People’s Trust & the Dorchester Youth Theatre

Keep up to date: www.cerneabbasopengardens.org.uk

www.countrygardener.co.uk

HINTON ST MARY DORSET DT10 1NA

GARDENS OPEN

SATURDAY & SUNDAY 18th & 19th JUNE 2022 2PM - 6PM Adults: £6 (tickets valid for both days) Children under 14 free Many village gardens, including the manor gardens will be open and cream teas in the Tithe Barn ‘Old Hinton’ exhibition in the church Plants, books, and ‘collectables and home decoration’ stalls Sorry No Dogs Ample Free Parking 31

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

BOSCREGE, A BREATH OF CORNISH FRESH AIR Boscrege Caravan and Touring Park in Cornwall is a peaceful and picturesque park, set at the foot of Tregonning Hill, Godolphin National Trust and amongst a myriad of Cornish lanes in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The park, open all year through, is situated close to the wonderful Cornwall coast and only a few minutes’ drive to Praa Sands, one of Britain’s best beaches. St Ives, Penzance, Hayle, Lands’ End, The Lizard Peninsular, Helston and Falmouth and many other Cornwall attractions and beaches are very easily visited from the central location in West Cornwall. And new this year, an exciting development of single/twin lodges available to buy with a 20-year site licence and two years free site fees. Come for a two-night free stay, available for genuine buyers.

Boscrege Caravan Park, Boscrege, Ashton, Cornwall TR13 9TG Tel: 01736 762231 www.caravanparkcornwall.com

OVER 20 GARDENS OPEN AT HINTON ST MARY JUNE WEEKEND Hinton St Mary Gardens Open Weekend will raise funds for St Peter’s Church and will be held on Saturday, 18th and Sunday, 19th June from 2pm to 6pm on each day. The Manor House Gardens will be open as well as over 20 other gardens in the village. This event takes place every two years, and its financial success is essential to the future of the church.

Cream teas and home-made cakes will be served in the Tithe Barn, and there will be plants, collectables and second handbooks on sale. Hinton St Mary is a small, picturesque village with a number of thatched and listed cottages located one mile north of Sturminster Newton. It is well known to archaeologists for the important Roman Mosaic discovered in 1963, which is now in the British Museum and is thought to be the world’s first depiction of the head of Christ.

Admission £5 - children free. Postcode: DT10 1NA. No dogs please. Ample free parking and disabled facilities Further information: www.hintonstmary.com

Garden at Miserden hosts sculpture bonanza exhibition The Cotswold Sculptors Association are hosting the ‘Creating Spaces 2022’ exhibition in the Garden at Miserden overlooking the rolling Cotswold hills The estate encompasses 850 acres of woodland and extensive farmland which provides a sanctuary for wildlife and unrivalled walks.

Its timeless 17th century walled garden offers spectacular views over the deer park, rolling Cotswold hills and beyond. The exhibition will use the 130 pieces of sculpture in the garden garden as the canvas of the exhibition with 130 pieces being placed within the garden and 70 sculptures designed for indoor settings, being exhibited within The Club Room, in the centre of Miserden village, two minutes’ walk away. The Cotswold Sculpture Association is proud to be exhibiting in such a magnificent setting. www.cotswoldsculptorsassociation.com

TWO SPECIAL DATES FOR GARDENS IN GROUNDS OF BADMINTON HOUSE Badminton House Open Gardens are opening this summer for two special events on Sunday, 19th June to mark the beginning of summer and later in the year on Sunday, 4th September.

Explore the usually private gardens within the grounds of Badminton House, home to the Duke and Duchess of Beaufort and take in the exquisite roses, wisteria and more.

Plants and flowers will be available to purchase from local sellers, plus food, hot drinks, and ice cream. All children under 12 go free. Gates open from 10am until 4pm.

Money raised from this event supports Severn Area Rescue Association.

Badminton House offers a great welcome to visitors.

June Fairs 5th June High Glanau Manor, Nr. Monmouth NP25 4AD 12th June Waterperry Gardens, Nr. Oxford OX33 1JZ 19th June Rodmarton Manor, Nr. Tetbury GL7 6PF

www.rareplantfair.co.uk

Badminton, South Gloucestershire, GL9 1DD

Please visit our website for full details of admission fees and times of opening.

Hartland Abbey & Gardens

Enjoy the wildflowers and stunning gardens - open Jubilee Friday too So much to see - a fascinating house, an eclectic mix of architecture and decoration, exhibitions, 18thC walled and woodland gardens and walks to the beach. Location for Enid Blyton’s ‘Malory Towers’ and more... * Homemade light lunches & cream teas * * Dogs welcome * Holiday Cottages * * Hartland Quay 1 mile * House, Gardens etc and Café - open until 3rd October, Sunday to Thursday & Bank Hols. 11am - 5pm (House 2pm - 5pm last adm. 4pm) * Some rooms in house closed 20th June - 15th July for filming *

For more information and events see www.hartlandabbey.com Hartland, Nr. Bideford EX39 6DT 01237441496/234 32

BOSCREGE CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK

THE MOST PICTURESQUE CARAVAN PARK IN CORNWALL With a welcoming atmosphere and set in 12 acres of Cornish countryside only two miles from the beautiful sandy beaches of Praa Sands, Boscrege Caravan & Camping Park is the best place to enjoy your Cornish holiday.

Each of our luxury holiday homes comes with a private garden and Wi-Fi. Perfect

for families and couples, we are open all year, and offer seasonal pitches.

We offer the following: • Designated dog walking fields • Pet friendly accommodation • Comprehensive storage • Luxury holiday homes for sale

01736 762231 • enquiries@caravanparkcornwall.com www.caravanparkcornwall.com Country Gardener

DELIGHTFUL GARDENS TO INSPIRE YOU PLANT AND GARDEN ADVICE Mail order and click and collect available, or pop along and visit us at the nursery

Groups welcome by appointment Open 7 days a week from 1st April to 30th September.

Weekends 10am -5pm, Weekdays 9am-5.30pm

Sands Lane, Badsey, Evesham, WR11 7EZ 01386 833849 info@cgf.net www.cotswoldgardenflowers.co.uk

www.countrygardener.co.uk

33

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

Great summer days out at Rare Plant Fairs

There is a packed programme of Rare Plant Fairs during June, all held in interesting and unique gardens with their own individual style, making a summer visit to one (or more!) of the events a great day out for gardeners.

A selection of specialist nurseries attends each of the fairs, all of whom are experts in the plants that they grow. The full programme is: HIGH GLANAU MANOR, near Monmouth, Sunday, June 5th, 11am to 4pm.

These beautiful Arts and Crafts gardens have been lovingly restored by the present owners and offer spectacular views over the Vale of Usk. WATERPERRY GARDENS, near Oxford, on Sunday, June 12th, 10am to 4pm.

The former teaching gardens at Waterperry have now been transformed into stunning ornamental gardens at this iconic venue, including a rose garden, formal knot garden and a canal studded with waterlilies.

RODMARTON MANOR, near Tetbury, Gloucestershire,on Sunday, June 19th, 11am to4pm. The fair is set in magnificent Arts and Crafts gardens surrounding the Manor House, and include formal and topiary gardens, classic herbaceous borders and a woodland garden.

Visit the website at www.rareplantfair.co.uk for full details, including admission charges and a list of the exhibitors.

CROSSWORD

country gardener

CROSSWORD WIN £100 IN RHS GIFT TOKENS

There’s a special bumper crossword to enjoy this month compiled by Saranda. The winning entry to be drawn by us will receive £100 of RHS gift tokens . Completed entries should be sent to Mount House, Halse, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3AD. The closing date is Friday 24th June. The winner of the May crossword was XXXXXX 1

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Cotswolds Show set to be the biggest yet The Cotswold Show was founded by Lord Bathurst in 1989 to showcase everything about our glorious countryside and farming. Since then the show has grown seeing over 30,000 people each year. This year’s show on 2nd and 3rd July is set to be the biggest ever with a huge array of attractions, shopping and a large food hall and cookery theatre. The show is the perfect day out for families with everything from dog shows, a sheep show, equestrian displays, farming techniques and memorabilia, vintage machinery, traditional rural crafts demonstrations and much more. All tickets bought in advance online save 20% off the price of the gate ticket on the day. www.cotswoldshow.co.uk

CERNE ABBAS GARDENS BACK IN THE OLD OPENING ROUTINE Cerne Abbas first opened some of its village gardens in 1974 when the proceeds helped rehang the church bells. Since then, the village has missed only three years, the last being due to the pandemic in 2020. In 2021 the event was delayed from the usual slot of the third weekend in June and took place in August, visitors enjoying our gardens in high summer. This year it resumes the traditional slot, and the gardens will be open on 18th and 19th June 2-6pm. The beneficiaries, chosen by the gardeners, will be the Youth Trust in Cerne and the Dorchester Youth Theatre.

It is expected around 25 gardens will open from 2pm to-6pm mostly with the gardeners on hand to talk about their gardens and gardening experiences. All the gardens are within easy walking distance of the free carpark, open from 1pm, and the plant stall, located in the square, always offers irresistible temptations. Teas are served in the church by the Youth Club.

Cerne is dog friendly and almost all gardens welcome well-behaved dogs on leads.

Some of the gardens have wheelchair access and these will be marked on the map which is distributed when you buy your ticket which allows access to all gardens on the day of purchase for £7. Accompanied children are free.

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Stem enlargements in certain orchids (11) Aromatic plant popular as a herbal tea (9) For what James Lovelock is famous? (4,6) Floral occasion to honour war victims of the armed forces (5,3) 15. Rare UK wildflower also called thorow wax (5,3) 16. Star of 1951 comedy, The Lavender Hill Mob (4,8) 17. Pale green seeds of an Asian tree (9,4) 19. From where Rose in Irish ballad originated? (6) 21. Plants of saxifrage family sometimes called fringecups (7) 22. Spanish word for 33 (8) 24. Genus of small tropical trees and shrubs of subfamily Mimosoideae (4) 26. Small, purplish-black fruit similar to a plum (6) 29. Corresponding part or segment (7) 30. Poet (1631-1700) who translated the poem ‘The Flower and the Leaf’ (6) 31. He painted the Meditative Rose in 1958 (4) 32. Dutch city which has the world’s tallest windmill (8) 33. A highly-valued fruit of a tropical tree (7) 36. Large treeless plains in South America (7) 38. Large European tree that produces an edible crop (5,8) 40. Pertaining to the measurement of temperature (12) 42. Relating to or resembling a drum (8) 44. A miniature gas discharge light (4,4) 45. Tree from whose timbers Noah’s Ark was made (6,4) 46. Earliest stage of development in the life cycle of mosses (9) 47. Iconic green area for New Yorkers to enjoy (7,4)

Answers from May 2022 on p53

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Local name for salvia triloba (4,5) Ubiquitous and comprehensive (9) Offbeat and outlandish (5) Find something in the ground when digging (7) Treelike cactus of tropical America with yellowish fruit (8,10) Used by farmers for cultivating the land (12) Assign or delegate a job to someone (7) Tall white flower of the eastern Mediterranean (7,4) English poet (1880-1958) who wrote ‘The Forest of Wild Thyme’ (5) Also called sunroot and topinambur, a very easy-to-grow vegetable (9,9) Edible nuts of a tree, related to the peach (7) Large bird of prey and score in golf (5) Edible Mediterranean plants whose bitter leaves can be added to salads (7) Genus of plants belonging to the borage family (12) Large Asian plant of the banana family (5) Any plant belonging to the genus Calceolaria (11) Variety of melon with sweet orange flesh (9) Perennial white-flowered pepperwort (9) Rich German fruit and nut bread (7) Outdoor tool that could be useful in garden (7) _____ Blackman, early Bond girl (5) Asiatic bowstring hemp plant found in India (5) Genus of gymnosperm shrubs, some of which are used in medicine (7) Well-loved garden plant with colourful flowers (5) A tall, grass-like plant that favours wet places (4)

MULCH, MULCH AND

more mulch Mulching is generally used to save water, suppress weeds and improve the soil around plants but it also brings a neat, tidy appearance and can reduce the amount of time spent watering and weeding

Mulching is a very underrated concept in our gardens.

It is simply a thick layer of material placed over the soil and around plants, used to suppress weeds and lock moisture into the soil, while acting as a physical barrier to drying winds and direct sun.

It is basic but it is underrated because of the huge difference it makes to the health, longevity and protection it gives to plants. Some mulches also contain nutrients, acting as slow-release plant food. As worms take the mulch into the soil, they help to improve soil structure, making it more moisture retentive, free-draining and fertile.

Organic mulches also contain nutrients, acting as slow-release plant food. What’s more, while they’re breaking down, they attract beetles, worms and other soil invertebrates, which provides food for birds.

In winter, a biodegradable mulch can also be used to protect the roots of more delicate plants. In fact, if you do one thing before the weather gets cold, it should be this.

Mulching is a fantastic weed suppressant and will help your plants get all the nutrients available, without you having to spend hours weeding.

It’s also useful to protect your plants, especially when the temperatures drop.

Mulches can be split into two main groups: biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Both types suppress weeds by blocking sunlight which is needed to germinate and grow weed seeds, and conserve moisture by reducing evaporation from the soil surface.

Biodegradable mulches will also improve your soil structure. Gradually the worms will drag the mulch down into the soil, improving aeration and drainage. It will improve the nutrient content of the soil too.

Some mulches, such as bark chippings, are also useful at deterring garden pests. The rough bark of the mulch will deter slugs and snails as it is too rough to negotiate.

Pile it on thickly for the best results. You can also mix in the old compost that’s left over from summer pots and containers to make it stretch a bit further.

Non-biodegradable mulches do not boost the fertility or structure of the soil, but they do suppress weeds, conserve moisture and some have the added advantage of looking decorative. Slate, shingle, pebbles, gravel, stone chippings and other decorative aggregates are often used as a mulch across beds.

There’s a wide variety of mulches to use - both organic and inorganic - which have different uses in the garden. Organic mulches are made from dead plant material such as compost, leaves, bark or grass clippings. Inorganic mulches include rocks or gravel, but they can also include plastic sheeting, landscape fabric and ‘rubber mulch’. Unlike organic mulches, inorganic mulches do not break down. Indeed some, such as plastic sheeting, can disintegrate over the years and pollute your garden environment. Inorganic mulches don’t add nutrients to the soil and can, in some instances, stop nutrients reaching soils. They can offer a more long-term solution to weed suppression than organic mulches.

ORGANIC MULCHES INCLUDE: Leaf mould - low in nutrients but an excellent soil conditioner, leaf mould provides a quick reward for a little effort. Simply bag up leaves in autumn and they should be ready to mulch around your plants after around 12 months.

Well-rotted horse manure - this is packed with nutrients and retains moisture well. It’s excellent for mulching around hungry plants like roses and edibles, especially pumpkins and squashes. Make sure it’s been left to rot for at least two years, otherwise it can ‘scorch’

Clockwise from top left: leaf mould, composted woodchips, mushroom compost, straw mulch

PROBLEMS WITH MULCHING •

•

•

Problems with mulching occur usually when you’ve mulched too thickly, which prevents bulbs and herbaceous plants from growing. Gently use a rake or long-handled cultivator to gently thin out the mulch, which may help plants grow better.

Another problem you might experience is when using manure to mulch plants. If this isn’t well-rotted it can scorch plant leaves and even lead to the plant becoming distorted.

Some types of inorganic mulch can disintegrate into the soil, heat up the planting area and potentially leach harmful chemicals into the soil.

plant leaves and even remove nutrients from the soil as it breaks down.

Homemade garden compost - this is a fantastic allround mulch, great for retaining moisture, suppressing weeds and improving soil. Add kitchen scraps and chopped up garden waste to your compost bin and turn every few months. You should have a useable compost between six and 12 months later.

Composted woodchips or bark - this bulky mulch breaks down slowly and is ideal for improving soil structure by improving drainage and making it more

www.countrygardener.co.uk

moisture retentive. Also, its dark colour offsets the green of plants beautifully.

Mushroom compost - often bought as ‘spent’ mushroom compost, this alkaline mulch is light and easy to use.

Given its high pH, it’s ideal for lime-loving vegetables, including brassicas like kale, cabbages and broccoli.

Straw - One of the best mulching materials you can use around your vegetable and fruit plants, especially if you’re learning how to grow potatoes or even how to grow strawberries.

35

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36

Country Gardener

JOBS FOR THE MONTH

JOBS IN THE

June garden 1

2

Take hydrangea cuttings

The longest day of the year is amazingly only a few weeks away and the garden is growing at a rapid pace.

The frenzy of spring should be slowing into a more regular rhythm.

The hundreds of young plants you have been raising should have left the confines of the greenhouse and are now making their own way in the world. Consequently, all you must do in terms of your gardening jobs is keep up with the watering, weeding, grass cutting, hedge trimming, etc, etc.

Pinch out tomato side shoots

Cordon tomatoes are best grown as single-stemmed plants. However, these vigorous plants naturally produce side-shoots from the joints where leaves sprout from the main stem. These sideshoots should be pinched out to keep plants growing vertically on just one stem.

Large side shoots can be used as cuttings to start other plants. You can stand them in a glass of water for a week or two or use rooting gel.

Sometimes tomato growers allow a large side shoot to grow into a second main stem. This has the advantage of growing more trusses at a lower height from one plant.

Bush varieties, also known as determinate, do not need to have their side shoots removed. However, there are situations when it may be wise to remove some of them if growing large tomatoes and you would like the fruit to mature earlier rather than later.

Of course, by removing side shoots on bush varieties, you will reduce the number of flowers and fruit that would grow over a long season.

Now is the ideal time to take cuttings from any hydrangea shrub. Take a cutting from a branch of the hydrangea shrub about five inches long. The belief is the cutting will work best if taken from a branch that did not flower this year. Remove the lower leaves of the bottom two leaf nodes. The leaf node is where a leaf comes out of the branch.

Remove the lower leaves from the stem and if the top leaves are large, cut them in half to help reduce water loss and wilting.

3

Strategic watering is called for

In dry spells, make sure you thoroughly water anything that’s been planted in the past couple of months as it will still be growing roots into the surrounding soil. A good drench is better than a regular light sprinkling. Patio pots and hanging baskets will need watering at least once a day, more in hot weather.

5 4

Be more aggressive on thinning fruit

The natural June drop will see many small fruitlets fall from your trees, but for the best-size fruits it’s worth checking to see if you need to thin more of them, that is remove excess fruit.

• Thin apples to one fruit per cluster: for dessert apple varieties, thin to 10-15cm between clusters; and for cooking varieties, thin to 15-23cm between clusters.

• Pears should be reduced to two fruits per cluster, with clusters 1015cm apart.

• Plums should be thinned to five to eight cms apart.

• Peaches should be thinned to 2025cm apart. Nectarines should be thinned to 15cm apart.

6

Time to plant biennials Biennials, such as honesty, wallflowers and sweet rocket, are sown in spring to flower the following year. You can either move young plants to a nursery bed in a quiet spot outdoors for moving again in the autumn or put them in their flowering positions. You’ll find plants at the local garden centre or via online retailers.

What to plant over the next few weeks

Sow seeds of annual flowers to fill gaps. Mix the seeds into sand or cover seeds with a mix of potting compost and sand so you can easily spot which areas you have sown and don’t enthusiastically hoe or pull up seedlings by mistake. Remember to keep the soil moist until they have germinated and the seedlings have grown into their space.

Keep sowing salad leaves and lettuces. If you find them too fiddly try using seed tape – seeds set into paper tape-a clever way of ensuring you don’t sow too thickly. Plus, it ensures straight rows. They are a bit more expensive but satisfying.

Sow spinach and kale. Both are useful crops that are easy to grow and good to eat. Sow F1 varieties for reliable performance. Use the thinnings for salads.

June is the last time realistically to sow green beans. www.countrygardener.co.uk

7

Deadhead and feed roses After the first flush of flowers deadhead repeat flowering roses, just nip off the faded flowers right underneath. Don’t be tempted to remove a lot of stem under each fading flower. Simply cut straight under the spent flower, or pinch it off with your fingers. Deadheading this way helps your roses to rebloom quickly. Feed them with a high potash pelleted food. This will produce more flower and the potash will toughen up the foliage and help it to resist diseases.

Roses that flower only once should be left because many produce attractive hips that add winter interest.

37

8

Feed plants

Liquid tomato feed can be used as a supplement on ornamental as well as productive plants. Anything potted into compost and containerised, such as summer bedding, will benefit from a fortnightly feed of tomato feed because the nutrients in the compost run out after three to four weeks. If you find the watering can too heavy, invest in a smaller one.

Feed all greenhouse crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes and continue to apply a fortnightly feed until the beginning of September. Agapanthus, often said to thrive on a poor diet, respond well to being fed with tomato food. You’ll get far more flowers.

Anti-allergy gardens: how to make your garden hay fever free

9

Protect tender plants from slugs Look out for slugs and snails hiding in nooks and crannies. One thing is certain - they’ll be out in force after all those tender young shoots coming up this month. Hunts are best done in early morning and evening when cool damp air brings them into the open.

Depending on how much of a problem they are in the garden you can try various control methods. Nematodes (microscopic organisms that predate on slugs and snails) are organic and safe with pets and children but require careful application.

Also try non-toxic and eco-friendly slug granules. These make crossing them unpleasant for slugs and snails and offer good protection. They’re made from sepiolite clay, a natural material that is dry and sharp which can be used with edibles. There are also organic pellets available to buy. If, however, you have a really serious problem you may need to resort to old school slug pellets.

Protect the growing tips of beans from slug damage. They don’t recover. Push some new beans into the ground as replacements if needed.

Try to site pots up and out of reach of slugs who will eat the heads of violas in double quick time.

11

10

Spring is moving into summer and with it comes weeks of misery for hay fever sufferers Tie in sweet peas

Your annual sweet peas should be nicely settled into their new homes for the summer and they will start to grow rapidly now. Tie in any shoots to your supports. For the best quality flowers, remove all the side shoots to create a cordon, as you would with a tomato plant.

Watch out for aphids as they love the fleshy growing tips. They’re full of sap and as a result they will quickly colonise them. If you have any early flowers, they might drop some buds. Don’t worry, this is a symptom of cold nights and is the plant’s way of regulating water pressure. They will soon recover as the nights warm up.

June pond care

• Keep an eye on your pond fish to ensure they’re healthy.

• Keep the pond clear of algae so the water remains oxygenated and clear.

• Remove blanket weed using a rake or cane. Leave it at the edge of the pond for a day or two to allow any wildlife to escape, before adding it to the compost heap.

• Check any new pond plants before planting to avoid accidentally introducing pests like snails.

38

Hay fever is one of the most common allergies in the UK, with one in four people suffering from cold-like symptoms such as itchy eyes, a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing. That means millions of people are unable to enjoy a relaxing day in the garden.

There are however some things you can do to lower the impact in your own garden.

Avoid wind-pollinated plants/trees Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to allergens such as pollen and dust mites, so the key to making gardens allergy-friendly lies in selecting the right plants and trees.

Wind-pollinated plants transfer light particles of pollen that are easily inhaled, whereas insect pollinated plants produce heavier pollen that isn’t as easily airborne. It’s best to avoid planting trees like ash, oak, hazel, horse chestnut, and sycamore, and instead opt for plants with showy flowers like iris, delphinium, lobelia, and geranium. Or, opt for a fruit tree, as apple, cherry, pear, and plum trees are amongst those with the lowest allergens.

Maintain your lawn Grass is the most common cause of hay fever as grass pollen scatters in the wind. The best way to beat the

symptoms is by mowing your lawn regularly once a week to prevent the grass from flowering, as it will produce less pollen. Wetting down grass before gardening and edging your garden area with stones will help to keep allergens at bay, too.

Prevent a build-up of weeds Weeds such as dandelions, creeping thistle and ragwort are a common cause for hay fever symptoms, so it’s best to remove them before they have time to flower. The best way to prevent weeds growing is by mowing, feeding, and watering your lawn regularly, and pulling out the weeds as soon as you see them.

No matter how allergy friendly your garden is, high pollen count days are off limits It’s best to avoid your garden completely on days when the pollen count is extremely high, after all hay fever symptoms are likely to make the minutes miserable. If you must spend time in the garden, be sure to wear a hat (to protect from the heat and stop pollen sticking to your hair) and gloves and when you are finished, change your clothes to reduce the chances of bringing pollen into your house.

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WATER FEATURE

PONDS NEED OUR CARE AND ATTENTION A record number of garden ponds now grace our gardens after a boom during lockdown but one expert says the problem is making sure they are kept properly.

A new survey has revealed that putting in a new garden pond was one of the main themes for gardeners during the Covid lockdown. Gardeners with more time on their hands found that a garden pond is more than just ornamental – it’s key to sustaining wildlife. Garden birds, pollinating insects and other creatures need water to survive after all.

Research found that gardener’s prime reason for adding a pond was its aesthic benefits. Then came the wildlife reason. Ponds are fantastic habitats for a wide range of wildlife, including toads, frogs, newts, insects and birds.

The number of new ponds has thought to have increased by over 30 percent with more of the reasons for them being added to gardens being that many thought it added value to their property; it could also be a focal point for lighting, and many wanted the option of adding fish into the pond.

The conclusion was that there were lots of reasons for adding a pond and fortunately it needn’t be expensive

or difficult. Simple garden ponds can be constructed by the garden pond established. That is only the start of the excavating a hole and lining it with pond liner, which can investment in the time and money a properly kept pond be secured using paving slabs or rocks. It’s even easier needs. It has to be backed up with ongoing skills and if you purchase a preformed pond made from either ability to make sure the pond is kept properly, is clean , fibreglass or plastic. functional and doesn’t quickly become an eyesore. Luckily there are lots of excellent companies an skills sets around Pumps, water features and plants can also be added. to help and advice and from some of the early season But although there was a huge expansion in the number ponds I’ve seen over the past few weeks that help is going of ponds being constructed one pond expert claims that to be needed. the upkeep of the ponds in terms of skills and knowledge needed hasn’t followed on.

John Skinner, a pond advisor for the RHS in IDEAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR POND PROBLEMS Hampshire said: Water Gardening Direct has been established for over 21 years. The staff have decades The interest in ponds of experience with many having worked for other pond companies. When setting up has been huge and the specialist company the aim was to combine the best products in the industry with encouraging. But its is the keenest price, coupled with excellent advice and service. more than just getting The company has succeeded in retaining these values, with our customers continuously commenting on our helpfulness and knowledge. We can assist with wildlife ponds, fishponds, water blade features, fountains for large lakes and solar HOW TO REMOVE ALGAE FROM YOUR POND powered water features.

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On top of the size and shape of the pond it’s good to consider what else you’ll need.

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WATER FEATURE

And while we are on the subject of water in the garden...

THE DOS AND DON’TS OF WATERING PLANTS All plants need water to reach their full potential.

It is a basic gardening point, but poor watering strategy is a real problem with many gardeners What you might not know is that incorrect watering techniques can put plants at risk for disease and even kill them. Whether you want to cultivate outdoor perennials or a new houseplant, there are some things which are essential to know.

1. Water in the morning The best time to water outdoor flowers and vegetables is before the heat of the day when the soil is cool and the water has the best chance of seeping down to the roots of the plants before evaporating.

2. Water plants at soil level Directing water at the base of your plants delivers the hydration right where it’s needed: the roots.

3. Never use broadcast sprinklers

Soil in container gardens and flowerpots dries out more quickly than soil in a garden plot or flower bed. The smaller the container, the more frequently you need to water.

5. Trees need water, too Newly planted trees and shrubs should be thoroughly soaked with water two or three times per week for the first month.

6. Don’t water container plants with a jet-type spray nozzle Pressurized nozzles are fine for washing off driveways and sidewalks, but the spray that they deliver can damage tender foliage and blossoms.

It can also disturb the soil around the roots of a container plant.

7. Don’t rely on rain Rain isn’t always sufficient at supplying enough water for plants to thrive, so don’t count on it to keep plants healthy.

In addition to soaking the plant’s leaves, which can increase the risk of a fungal disease, broadcast sprinklers are inefficient.

4. Water outdoor container plants at least once per day

The Perfect Pond OASE COMPLETE POND SOLUTIONS Adding a pond to your garden has never been easier with OASE’s complete pond solutions. Quite simply, we know water. Once you have decided on pond size and pond location we can provide all the items you need to bring that idea to life.

Why a pond? Ponds bring much needed relaxation and calm to a garden.

The stillness of water can soothe the mind, and your pond will become a place for meditation and relaxation. Furthermore, a pond invites a whole new ecosystem of plants and animals to your garden. A pond becomes a new focal point for visiting family and guests, and is a chance for all to benefit from the beauty of water.

OASE’s technical knowledge and expertise gives you peace of mind when adding water to your garden. You should not be restricted by space or know-how. From a small pre-formed pond for local wildlife to large ponds for fish OASE products can help you.

Our high quality, German-engineered complete pond solutions will give any garden a functional and attractive pond with minimal stress. We can provide liner, pumps, filtration, lighting and ways to make your pond thrive - regardless of size. Visit your local distributor for expert advice today.

www.oase.com CG_ISSUE2_PONDARTICLE.indd 1

www.countrygardener.co.uk

04/05/2022 16:31:37

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Ghost orchid (Epipogium aphyllum)

Wild orchid

superstars Wild flower expert Sam Park sings the praises of the often rare wildlife orchids which can often only be found on nature reserves in Britain Orchids are the superstars of the wildflower world. They can be a fantastic find when out for a walk.

If you get the chance this summer search for the masters of mimicry cleverly fooling their pollinators, including the furry-flowered bee orchid, or its more understated cousin, the fly orchid.

There are around 52 different species of wild orchid in Britain. Many of these species are incredibly rare and can often only be found on nature reserves that have special protection for the orchids. Orchids are among the most beautiful of the wildflower species in the UK. Sample the perfume of a fragrant orchid, or the stink of a lizard orchid. Deep in the woods, look for the bizarre bird’snest orchid growing in leaf litter; a parasite that steals its nutrients from the roots of trees, and has dispensed with the green chlorophyll that other plants use to make their food in favour of a creamy-brown colour all over.

Here are some of my favourites: Ghost orchid (Epipogium aphyllum) One of the rarest wild orchids there is. It can spend most of its time underground and it can have up to 10-year gaps between flowering. It can be described by its creamy-white flowers where the lip has some small pink spots. It has no leaves and is dependent upon the fungi in the soil for its survival.

up to 60cm tall and the stems are covered in hairs. This species has been given special protection when specimens of the species are found.

Early spider orchid (Ophrys sphegodes) An early arrival every summer. It can grow up to 20cm in the UK but due to its preferred Mediterranean climate, it can grow taller in warmer conditions.

Each specimen can carry between 2-18 flowers.

Each flower has greenyellow petals and the lip is a dark red-brown. This species tends to grow in scrub ground but also along woodland hedges.

Green-winged orchid (Anacamptis morio) This species is more common in the south west and flowers in May and June. It has distinctive purple or pink flowers which have parallel green veins on the hood. These veins are not found on other similar looking orchids like the early purple orchid, which is more common.

Lady’s slipper (Cypripedium calceolus)

Lady orchid (Orchis purpurea)

This is the one you might see more often than any other in botanical drawings. This species of orchid is famous for being the most widely illustrated species of all flowering plants. It’s easy to see why as the flower petals are a maroon colour that can often be spiralled and the sac of the orchid is bright yellow with some spots of red.

It can grow

This orchid is quite rare to the UK but is seen in the Cotswolds. It can grow up to 80cm tall. The flower spike can contain anything up to 200 individual flowers which have dark red upper petals forming a hood over the white and dark red lip. Given its size and vivid colours it is a truly stunning orchid.

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White helleborine (Cephalanthera damasonium) These plants are a slow grower, taking at least eight years to develop from seed and then the flowering can occur two or three years after that. However, the good news is that it produces a beautiful white flower that does not open fully so the yellow lip is often not seen. It can grow up to 60cm in height and can have up to 16 flowers on each stem. It is commonly found in the south west but is in decline due to a loss of habitat.

Country Gardener

Where might you go looking for wild orchids?

This isn’t meant to be a definitive list but one I have developed over the years and I admit it is a bit of a personal list.

• Berkshire, Greenham and Crookham Commons • Buckinghamshire, Aston Clinton Ragpits • Cornwall, Chyverton • Devon, Dunsdon • Dorset, Fontmell Down • Gloucestershire, Elliott (Swifts Hill) • Hampshire, Noar Hill • Herefordshire, Stockings Meadow • Oxfordshire, Hartslock (renowned for its monkey orchids - found in only three places in the country!), Warburg Nature Reserve • Surrey, Howell Hill • Wiltshire, Lower Moor Farm (including Clattinger Farm) • Wiltshire, Morgan’s Hill

WHAT TO LOOK FOR The key to finding orchids is to do your research beforehand: target the right habitats at the right times of year. Start with your local Wildlife Trust, who do so much good work in this area.

On chalk grassland, look for the dense pink flower spikes of pyramidal orchids and the taller, cylindrical spikes of fragrant orchid, which smell sweetly, especially in the evenings. Less ‘fragrant’ and more ‘smelly’ is the lizard orchid. A rarity found at just a few sites this giant among orchids has a spike of gorgeously twisty, spiral-lipped ‘lizard’ flowers, and smells strongly of goats. Be very careful where you tread: as well as the obvious flower spikes there will be plenty of non-flowering leaf rosettes which you should avoid trampling.

GARDEN VISITS

GARDENS TO VISIT

in June

OLD DOWN MANOR GARDENS

compiled by Vivienne Lewis

Foxholes Lane, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4PG

June gardens – full of roses, but much else besides. Get out to see some amazing, colourful gardens, in the counties covered by Country Gardener and help raise much needed funds for nursing and caring charities. We advise checking wherever possible before starting out on a journey as circumstances can force cancellations in private gardens. www.ngs.org.uk

A new opening for the National Garden Scheme on Wednesday 15th June has a Victorian walled kitchen and cut flower garden, sumptuous herbaceous borders, a formal rose garden with many old English roses framed by yew hedges, rolling lawns and newly restructured rockery gardens with views across the Severn Valley, and pathways through woodland or meadows to a tranquil lake. Open from 10am4pm on 15th June, admission £5, children free. For other opening times contact on 03447769380 or email Info@olddownestate.co.uk

HILLSIDE

MILL HOUSE

35 Westbury Hill, Westburyon-Trym, Bristol BS9 3AG

Whitehall, Hemyock, Cullompton, Devon EX15 3UQ

A hidden Grade II listed period gem dating to 1715 with large and established formal walled gardens and family gardens in ½ acre, with magnificent trees some around 500 years old, pond and kitchen herb garden, rockery, rose and cutting gardens, orchard and seasonal interest borders, a wildflower meadow, established kitchen garden and fruit bushes. Open for the NGS on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June, 11am4pm. Admission £5, children free.

A new opening for the NGS, owned by artist Vanessa Worrall whose studio will also be open, a delightful cottage garden around the front of the house with beds full of perennials; the back garden has a perennial border with an orchard of apple and pear trees in a meadow of grasses, oxeye daisies, wildflowers and camassias. The Mill leat is bordered with hydrangeas, specimen trees and rhododendrons.

Open for the NGS on Sunday 12th, Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th June, 10am-4pm each day, admission £6, children free.

CARRAWAY BARN Carraway Lane, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, Dorset DT10 1NJ

WEST CLYST BARNYARD GARDENS West Clyst, Exeter, Devon EX1 3TR Another new opening for the NGS, two gardens that have been planted in farmland around a converted barnyard of a medieval farm, with a wildflower meadow, wildlife ponds, bog garden, David Austin roses, magnolias and many trees and shrubs. Open for the NGS on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June, 1pm-5pm each day. Combined admission £5, children free.

OUR KEY TO FACILITIES ON OFFER AT THE GARDENS:

A new opening for the NGS, a two-acre garden around a 19th former barn, with a natural swimming pond, large shrub border, waterfall and wildflower area (with beehives), shady woodland walks, a white border of hydrangeas, hostas and ferns leading to a walled garden, with roses, peonies, alliums, geraniums and topiary, encircling a water lily pond. Open for the NGS on Sunday 12th June, Thursday 16th June and Sunday 19th June, 2pm-5pm each day. Admission £6, children free, booking essential.

Refreshments available

Plants usually for sale

Wheelchair access to much of garden

Partial wheelchair access

Unsuitable for wheelchairs

Dogs on short leads

Visitors welcome by arrangement

Coaches welcome consult owners

Accommodation at this venue

Picnics welcome

www.countrygardener.co.uk

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CHISENBURY PRIORY East Chisenbury, Wiltshire SN9 6AQ A medieval priory with later additions (not open) in a fiveacre garden on chalk, with fine trees within clump and flint walls, herbaceous borders, shrubs, roses, moisture loving plants along a mill leat, carp pond, orchard and wild garden, and many unusual plants. Open for the NGS on Sunday 12th June, 2pm-5.30pm. Admission £5, children free.

ABBOTSFIELD Bennetts Lane, Burley, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 4AT Accessible paths lead past numerous beds, containing shrubs and herbaceous perennials of a variety of leaf form and texture and a fish pond. Then through trees to a summerhouse, a tea shelter in wet weather. The circular route continues to the kitchen garden with raised beds. Open for the NGS on Wednesday 1st June, 10.30am-4.30pm.

Admission £3.50, children free.

Parking at Mill Lawn car park, 400m away.

GOLD HILL Hindon Lane, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP3 6PZ Overlooking the Fonthill Brook the house and garden, designed together and are Arts & Crafts inspired, were created on a 1.2 acre derelict builder’s yard and field between 2015 and 2017.

There’s a formal garden with mixed shrub and perennial planting, a sunken garden, rose garden, fruit trees, white walled garden with pond, fountain and parterre beds. Open for the NGS on Sunday 12th June, 2pm-5pm.

Admission £6, children free.

MANOR LODGE Brook Lane, Botley, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 2ER Close to Manor Farm Country Park, this mid-Victorian house (not open), is set in over 1½ acres, the garden of an enthusiastic plantswoman, a garden in evolution with established areas and new projects, a mixture of informal and formal planting, woodland and wildflower meadow areas, large established and new specimen trees, common and exotic perennials and fruit cages. Open for the NGS on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June, 2pm-5pm. Admission £4, children free.

SEARLES LANE GARDENS Searles Lane, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9EQ After 2021’s opening, the gardens have some additions: the half acre cottage style garden at Maple Cottage has herbaceous borders, vegetable plots and a tiny, but active wildlife pond surrounded by hostas, astilbe, sarracenia. The neighbouring oneacre contemporary garden at Cherry Tree Barn has a wide range of plants and trees, grasses, perennials, drifts of wildflowers, terracing, decking, pathways, a Japanese influenced Yatsuhashi bridge, a little Japanese style garden, and a small collection of contemporary stone sculptures. Open for the NGS on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June, 2pm-5pm each day. Admission £6.50, children free.

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Country Gardener

BATCOMBE HOUSE Gold Hill, Batcombe, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6HF Plantswoman’s and designer’s garden of two parts – one a riot of colour through kitchen terraces, potager leading to a wildflower orchard; the other a calm contemporary amphitheatre with large herbaceous borders and interesting trees and shrubs. Open for the NGS on Saturday 18th June, 2pm6pm. Admission £7, children free.

GARDEN VISITS

WESTAWAY COTHAY MANOR

Stockwell Lane, Cleeve Hill, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3PU

Greenham, near Wellington, Somerset TA21 0JR The romantic gardens will open for St Margaret’s Hospice on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June, 2pm-5pm each day (last admission 4.30pm). There are 12 acres of magical gardens surrounding the medieval manor, with many garden rooms set off by a 200-yard yew walk.

Admission £5. Parking available – use GREENHAM for Satnav, not Cothay. www.st-margaret’s-hospice.org.uk

Another new opening for the NGS, this hillside 1½ acre garden on the Cotswold escarpment has spectacular views across the Severn Vale, displaying interesting solutions to the challenges of gardening on a gradient. Mixed shrub and herbaceous borders, bog garden, orchard, small arboretum and several wildflower areas, extensive terracing with grass banks. Open for the NGS on Sunday 26th and Wednesday 29th June, 1pm-5pm both days.

Admission £5, children free.

LANGFORD DOWNS FARM

THE OLD RECTORY

Langford, Lechlade, Oxfordshire GL7 3QL Another new opening for the NGS, this Cotswold house was built in 2009 and its garden created from blank canvas, with mixed tree, shrub and herbaceous borders, traditional hedges comprising arches and windows, Cotswold pond, walnut walk, spiral and mature vegetable garden, bug hotels and hedgehog piles. Find ‘Mrs Bennet’s Walk’. Open for the NGS on Wednesday 29th June, 2pm-6pm. Admission £7, children free.

Awliscombe, Honiton Devon EX13 4PJ Open for Hospiscare on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June, 12pm5pm each day. There’s a sensory garden within an older, mature garden, with trees, an orchard and a herb garden; follow a fairy glade stream to a young sustainable agroforest (edible woodland) and see an experimental way of growing food; polytunnel, sculptures, plant stall, cake stall.

Admission by donation. www.hospiscare.co.uk

OLD DOWN HOUSE Horton, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7HL

OAK HOUSE Greenway Lane, Gretton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5ER A new opening for the NGS, this one-acre secret garden is divided into rooms and has been gradually developed over the last 30 years, with some quirky features and many places to sit and enjoy the scent of honeysuckle, philadelphus and over 50 varieties of roses; wildflower meadow, gazebo and summerhouse, formal lily pond and small wildlife pond. Open for the NGS on Wednesday 15th and Saturday 18th June, 11am-5pm. Admission £5, children free.

www.countrygardener.co.uk

Nestled down a farm track, this ¾ acre garden on chalk surrounds an 18th century farmhouse with stunning views over Horton Tower and farmland; a cottage garden style with formal elements, climbing roses and wisteria clothe the pergola and house walls; mainly walled potager, chickens. Open for the NGS on Wednesday 8th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June, 2pm5pm each day. Admission £4, children free.

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Japanese wisteria, with elongated and narrow flower clusters

Wisteria not blooming? It could be due to over-feeding.

WISTERIA DELIGHTS Former RHS plant researcher Mark Hetherington is now retired and living in Somerset where he continues to share his knowledge on all things wisteria. Here he answers some of the most common questions about the popular shrub Why is my wisteria not blooming?

There are quite a few reasons why a wisteria doesn’t bloom, but the most common is excess nitrogen caused by over-feeding. Too much fertiliser is almost certainly to blame if the wisteria’s foliage is lush and green, but no blooms are present. If you think the plant has been over fertilised, you can neutralise the nitrogen in the soil by adding a fertiliser high in phosphorus and potash. Timing of fertilisation may also be a factor, as wisteria should be fed in autumn. Other possible reasons for a lack of blooms may be inadequate sunlight, lack of proper pruning or poorly drained soil.

Chinese wisteria

What is the difference between Chinese wisteria and Japanese wisteria?

These are two different species belonging to the same genus.

In terms of flowering, Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) bears elongated and narrow flower clusters (40cm to 1.50m in length) unlike Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) whose flower clusters are heavier, stockier (up to 40cm in length).

The first blooms in April, the flowers develop successively from the base to the end of the cluster while the second blooms in May, and the flowers all bloom at the same time on the cluster. This flowering is often repeated in summer.

Another clue, rather curious this one: the direction of winding of the tendrils. From left to right for Japanese wisteria and from right to left for Chinese wisteria.

What is the lifespan of a wisteria?

The oldest known wisteria is a real myth in Japan. It is Wisteria floribunda ‘Domino’ which is in Ashikaga Park. This spectacular wisteria during its flowering is 150 years old!

We all know old plants planted in the days of the grandfather! In general, a wisteria can live easily 30 to 50 years, the Japanese variety subject being of exceptional longevity.

When to plant wisteria?

Wisteria is hardy up to -20°C. Plant it preferably in the autumn, this will give you a better chance of recovery and the plant will have time to build up a good root system before the summer heat.

A spring planting is quite possible, however, watering should be very regular in summer to ensure recovery.

Is the root system on wisteria invasive?

Wisteria is spectacularly beautiful, but certain types, including Chinese wisteria and Japanese wisteria, are invasive plants that can choke out native vegetation. This occurs

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because the roots travel swiftly and unwanted plants may appear a considerable distance from the main shrub, twining around trees or anything else that lies in their path. These plants should be avoided if they are considered invasive in your area.

Can I transplant wisteria?

It is possible but timing is everything. If you move wisteria plants, it’s better to transplant when young as a mature plant may not survive the relocation. Ideally, the vine should be pruned and the roots trimmed the autumn before transplantation in early spring. Tie up loose branches on moving day, then dig the wisteria, cutting a wide swathe around the shrub to minimize root damage. Pry the plant from the ground with a sturdy shovel, then slide a large piece of cardboard or burlap under the root ball. Plant the shrub in a pre-dug hole in soil that has been added to compost or manure.

What botanical genus does wisteria belong to?

Wisteria is one of the genus Wisteria which has about ten deciduous climbing species, all part of the Leguminous family.

It exists two types of commonly cultivated wisteria: Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) and Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis). Whether from Japan or China, wisteria comes in multiple cultivars, with white, pink, lilac, mauve or bluish flowers.

In the same family, but not in the same genre, Milletia reticulata, summer wisteria, has smaller clusters of purple to dark lilac flowers throughout the summer.

Among the many cultivars, some offer long clusters of flowers like ‘Stained Dragon‘, a very award-winning variety with flower clusters up to 1.50m in length!

Others offer a colour that differs from the usual lavender blue. This is the case of Alba, with white flowers, of ‘Lipstick’ and ‘Rosea’ pale pink, or ‘Black Dragon’ dark purple. This variety is also available in very double flowers under the name ‘Double Black Dragon’.

If you like very fragrant blooms and large opulent clusters, choose a Chinese wisteria, if you prefer more discretion in terms of scents and elegance in all circumstances, opt for a Japanese wisteria.

Can I grow wisteria in a pot?

It is possible to plant a wisteria in a pot, however, keep in mind that it will be much less beautiful and flowering than in the ground. On a terrace this type of planting can find its application to adorn an arbour for example.

Choose a large pot or large container and pour a layer of clay balls at the bottom.

If you have non-calcareous garden soil you can use it or a mixture of heather soil and classic soil will do.

Plant in the centre of the container and fill in the vacant gaps. Tamp around the stem.

Country Gardener

FLOWER POWER

for your agapanthus Many gardeners are not happy about growing agapanthus because of inconsistent flowering. Too much shade, cold weather, lack of winter protection and being in the wrong place in the garden all contribute to the problems There’s nothing better for an infusion of midsummer blue than an agapanthus.

They are great showy garden flowers and while growing them isn’t a problem, getting them to flower can be tricky, especially in less than ideal growing conditions. It is really important to select the right variety and plant in the right place in your garden; some varieties for example will tolerate frost better than others, some will thrive on having more space and not being squashed into a busy border.

Like many garden favourites, when growing agapanthus, the trick is to get the right plant in the right place. There are about ten species of both deciduous and evergreen, but most importantly, the deciduous varieties are more hardy than the evergreen varieties, and all varieties benefit from a winter mulch and frost protection.

Agapanthus will flower without feeding. It is more about getting the right growing conditions. If flowering is an issue then a high potash feed to aid flowering – such as tomato feed will help.

These South African bulbous plants have been selected and hybridised from only six to 14 species, depending on which botanist you believe. The name, agapanthus, translates as ‘love flower’ but they’re more commonly known as the African lily.

The Eastern side of the Cape has a wet summer season lasting four months, between November and February, when rainfall averages five inches per month. The winters, between May and August, are dry and cool, however. As a result agapanthus species tend to do their growing in the summer and then die down in winter. This deciduous habit makes them hardier than the evergreen agapanthus.

GROWING AGAPANTHUS IN A BORDER The fleshy roots of agapanthus can suffer frost damage in severe winters, so if you’re planning to grow agapanthus in a border the ground must be well-drained and sunny.

A strip close to a sunny house wall is ideal as long as you remember to water your agapanthus well in the growing season.

Once established clumps of deciduous agapanthus can withstand -10ºC to -15ºC as long as the ground is well drained, although the number of flowers can be reduced after a hard winter.

GROWING AGAPANTHUS IN POTS The choice is far wider when you opt for growing agapanthus in pots, because hardiness becomes less of an issue. Agapanthus look more impressive in pots too, because they are raised up above the pot and therefore reach four to five feet. They are also moveable feasts, so you can use them as eye catchers in front of borders that may have passed their best.

It’s important to choose rugged pots, because your plants will be in those pots for three years on average, before you have to divide them. Terracotta is ideal.

Make sure your pots have almost straight sides, because tapered lily pots and tall slender pots will blow over.

You’ll need to feed and water your agapanthus once they begin to grow. An unheated greenhouse gets them going faster.

Move under cover in October. A shed or greenhouse is usually sufficient. Or you can lay your pot on its side and place it somewhere sheltered - against the wall of the house. You don’t want winter rain and snow to reach the roots.

Deadhead agapanthus after flowering to allow the plant to conserve energy and stop it self-seeding.

Large clumps in the border should be lifted in spring every four to six years, split into pieces, and then replanted.

DO YOU CUT BACK AGAPANTHUS IN WINTER? Deciduous varieties – cut back agapanthus stems to about four inches above the ground at the end of the blooming season. However, if you like the texture and structure that spent plants provide to the winter landscape, cutting back agapanthus can wait until early spring.

MAGICAL AND MEDICINAL! In its native areas, agapanthus is considered to be both a magical and a medicinal plant, used to treat heart disease, paralysis, coughs, colds, and other ailments, and the leaves are used as bandages (the plant does contain chemicals with anti-inflammatory and other properties). However, the plant’s sap can cause minor irritation or dermatitis in susceptible individuals, and will cause severe pain in the mouth if ingested.

The first plants were brought back to Europe in 1679 by the early explorers to South Africa. They are grown for the spectacular blue spherical flower clusters in early to midsummer. There are two species of Agapanthus, along with many hybrids, which are commonly used as landscape plants in mild areas or houseplants in colder climates. The dwarf forms are especially good as container plants, as restricted root growth induces heavier flowering.

www.countrygardener.co.uk

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1. Spreading by creeping roots

Bindweed

The worst weeds in your garden Weeds come in all shapes and sizes with some being far less welcome than others, but which are the worst for your garden and how do you get rid of them?

There’s no doubt about it -weeds are a menace and the worst weeds are so much more of a menace that gardeners really need a plan on how to get rid of them. What’s the point of spending money and involving yourself in hard work if flowers, shrubs and vegetables get smothered by weeds and take away all the pleasure of growing and gardening?

It may be a case of easier said than done but there is one word which is the key to all this – vigilance.

If you are watchful and never ever drop your guard, then you have a chance.

Bindweed is an especially clear example of the need to get to it quickly.

It has been calculated that for every one foot of twining bindweed stem above ground there’s the same amount of the invasive root beneath the surface. So, keep pulling away the top growth and taking out as much of the root as you can. It is often a daily job but well worth it to prevent the damage that bindweed can cause.

There should be two clear rules in the ongoing battle against weeds.

• Don’t allow the weeds that spread by seed to make any seed.

• Don’t allow weeds that spread at the root to make any leafy growth to fuel more root growth.

Some gardeners will say that patches of the garden should be left with weeds for the benefit of caterpillars, ants, bees, and other pollinators.

However, another view is that the world is full of weeds and if any true gardener wants to help pollinators a much better bet is just to choose plants and flowers which do a better job and look far more attractive.

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Bindweed - Vigorous twining top growth with admittedly pretty trumpet flowers, bindweed surges into growth from constantly spreading roots and smothers shrubs and perennials alike. Dig down much deeper than you think to get rid of the roots.

Couch grass - Couch grass has strong resistant roots which can be very difficult to separate from soil.

They cling on to soil and it is often impossible to take out the whole root of the weed.

Digging out the roots with a strong fork is the only practical option , but all roots must be removed.

Horsetail - Roots can be up to six Couch grass feet deep and this weed also called marestail from the look of its fine foliage is one of the most difficult to eradicate.

Nettles - Nettles are invasive, smothering and their stinging foliage can cause real pain to toddlers and painful rash to others. It is one of the worst totally Horsetail eradicate from a garden.

Ground elder - A determined and hated spreader and one which can arrive under the fence from next door. Roots are shallow so can be easy to remove but fresh plants grow from the tiniest fragments.

Japanese knotweed - An infamous weed which is one of the fastest Nettles growing in the whole world of horticulture. If you have it in your garden and you want to sell your house it may need to be removed by a licensed contractor which is expensive and time consuming.

2. Seed sowing weeds Annual meadow grass - This small Ground elder annual grass often spreads into borders from poorly maintained lawns. Seeds are often distributed from grass cuttings.

Dandelion - Common and well known but prolific in its windblown seeds. Controlling it is hard work but effective control comes from a sharp knife which slice off Japanese knotweed the roots.

Shepherds purse - Like bittercress in making a neat rosette with upright flower stems carrying a neat rosette.

It produces colourful white flowers but don’t be fooled, this is the second most common weed on earth and one plant can send out 4,500 seeds.

Bittercress - A common weed reaching a foot in height and one plant can fling its seeds more than 30 inches when the pod splits. It is known to arrive in gardens by hitchhiking on bought-in plants.

Non-chemical weeds treatments Carpet - Old carpet can smother weeds on paths between vegetables or cut flower beds – old stair carpet is the right width.

Hand weeding - This is the hardest work method with the challenge of getting on your hands and knees with a hand fork, a sharp knife, a small hoe and a kneeler to save damage to your knees.

The other advantage is that the battle with the weeds is a close combat one and you can see the immediate results.

Mulch - Use weed-free mulch to smother weeds in beds and borders. It’s effective and clearly less hard work in the long run. Never use grass cuttings however as they are always full of grass seeds, and you will be making the problem worse.

Hoeing - Wherever you have plants, vegetables, or shrubs in rows then hoeing is ideal. Make sure the hoe is as sharp as you can make it to slice the weeds effectively.

Country Gardener

Miniature marvels!

Alpine or wild strawberries have tiny fruits but a great flavour. The small, tough plants thrive in semi-shade and produce fruit from spring to autumn. They’re often sold alongside herb plants, or you can grow them from seed.

The jewel-like fruits of alpine strawberries (Fragaria vesca Sempervirens) are a special delicacy more of us should be enjoying.

Their flavour combines the essence of strawberries, roses and pineapples.

Also known by their romantic French name, ‘Fraises des Bois’, these charming and well-behaved perennial plants yield continuous harvests of tiny, three quarter of an inch berries with an intensely concentrated flavour which should encourage more gardeners to add them to their ‘must grow’ list.

In France, Alpine strawberries are carefully hand harvested and sold as a sought after seasonal specialty to top perfect individual custard tarts at Paris patisseries. In fine restaurants, they are served in exquisite stemware topped with creme fraiche and candied violets.

Alpine strawberries are cultivated strains of wild or woodland strawberries and are reported to have been transplanted into domestic gardens as early as the 12th century – which is easy to understand as their aroma and flavour are unmatched as garden berries.

Alpines can grow in full sun, although in very hot weather areas, they will also thrive in half day sun or an area of dappled shade. Like other berries, they love a rich, fertile, and above all, well drained soil. Alpines need little special care beyond consistent moisture and occasional feeding.

These hardy, evergreen plants are carefree because, unlike regular strawberries, they do not self propagate by sending out runners. They’ll stay wherever you plant them gradually growing into soft leafy mounds about a foot in diameter and height. After several seasons, mature plant crowns will multiply and can be divided in early spring to double or triple your number of plants. Plants bear fruit the first season after sowing.

Feed and water regularly and plants will continue to fruit for up to four years.

Properly located, plants will bear a continual summer long crop of deep crimson pointed petite berries full of flavour and fragrance.

These plants with their green, serrated little leaves, white flowers and bright red delectable, berries are neat, attractive and very ornamental. The plants are perfect in windowboxes or hanging baskets, or as a handsome edging plants along a garden path or flower border and are equally at home as rock garden plants, in window boxes, patio containers, or in cascading from strawberry pots.

Seven or eight mature little Alpine plants will yield about a cup of berries several times a week on a continuous basis throughout the summer.

Alpine strawberries are easily grown from seed, so they’re cheap. Sown in March – they will soon become strong good-sized seedlings. They’ll crop a little later in the summer, but will be at their best for two or three years after that. They are short-loved though and it’s a good idea to replace them every few years or you’ll be left with straggly plants, prone to virus. Tired strawberries also produce only half the fruit.

Space your plants a foot apart in good, generous, productive sweeps down the length of your paths. They are much better than the traditional edging of chives or box around a vegetable patch, and ‘Alexandria’, in particular, is doubly useful because it thrives out of full sun.

Wild strawberries are much tougher than conventional strawberries and have few pests and diseases. The fruit rarely gets eaten by birds, so you can grow without netting. Mix in loads of leaf mould or rich organic material when planting - they like a rich soil which remains moist even in summer.

Like many fruiting plants they benefit from slow-release phosphates, so scatter seaweed solution or bone meal around them a couple of times a year.

How to eat alpine strawberries If you’ve found alpine strawberries sharp but otherwise tasteless, with barely any juice, then try putting a handful in a bowl, sprinkling them with sugar, crushing them gently and leaving them to macerate for as long as you can bear it.

Within ten minutes the juice has burst out, apparently from nowhere, and you’ll have a mouthful of superb flavour, with a hint of sharpness that sets the taste-buds humming, not to mention an interest and depth that modern varieties really don’t possess. It’s no wonder that they are said to make the best jam.

The fact remains, though, that you really need an awful lot of plants to produce a large crop. In fact, if you want to make jam, you wouldn’t look at less than 50 plants, preferably more.

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53

READERS STORY

How not to employ a gardener Country Gardener reader Adam Woolridge hasn’t had the best of experiences when it comes to finding a gardener to help out in his one and a half acre Somerset garden – bad choices, wrong people, arguments and damaged plants have made the experience difficult... but at least there’s a happy ending What did they used to say in those old crime television shows - ‘the names have been changed to protect the innocent’?

So my story of trying and, hurrah, eventually finding a competent, skilful and reliable gardener have been stressful, loaded with mistakes and I certainly don’t want any repercussions by giving out the real names of some of the people I’ve had in my garden.

I am 45, an avid gardener but have two businesses to run and a garden a little over one of a half acres. It has borders, vegetable beds, lots of lawn, some now overgrown paths and a rose bed and some other areas of wildflowers and shrubs.

My wife is not able to do a lot of physical work but knows what she is talking about when it comes to the garden. So, the bulk of the hard work falls on me.

And I just for the past two years haven’t had the time.

So, we both agreed let’s employ a gardener who we can give plenty of work to. Easy!

So, we asked around, spread the word, Advertised in

Editorial

Magazines

Publisher & Editor: Alan Lewis alan@countrygardener.co.uk Tel: 01823 431767

village newsletters then in the local paper, then in the village store. Nothing, no-one!

We had a check list ready if ever anyone did turn up: • Someone with a recognised qualification in the area of gardening or horticulture.

• Someone who has plenty of experience.

• Someone who can supply references, or could show us samples of their work, such as nearby gardens.

• Someone who comes highly recommended perhaps from friends or neighbours.

We were prepared to shop around, and to ask plenty of questions.

Eventually someone answered the notice in the village store. Nick had, he said, years of experience but no qualifications and had all the tools and could start straight way. His rate was £22 an hour. He was better he said at the bigger jobs, mowing, strimming, cutting back.

He would dig but not for too long. He worked for us for three days and was a disaster and had no control over his strimmer and my wife called him a vandal.

Number two was the exact opposite Malcolm, a frail even ill looking chap who said he used to work for the RHS didn’t like heavy work but was hard working and experienced at pruning and cutting back. His rate was £25 an hour. After three days it was difficult to see what he had done. The rose arch looked neater but he seemed to work all day on that. We would have persevered I think but he said his mother was taken ill in Wales and had to go.

Number three Luke came to look at the garden, tutted and said not for

him, - too big. Number four Peter I think, who sounded perfect was recommended but didn’t turn up and literally went missing.

Number five was a lovely middle aged lady called Rose (a good omen we agreed) who said she wasn’t afraid of hard work, brought impressive references and seemed ideal. She was too social. She loved chatting and she and my wife seemed, to my eyes to spend all afternoon talking about what needed to be some as opposed to doing anything. It was never going to work And then came Emma, slight, a friend of a friend who sort of knew our daughter and was building up gardening clients as she tried to build a business.

Like everything, you usually get what you pay for. Emma was a recent graduate from a good horticulture course and charged a relatively low hourly rate of £15 an hour.

Emma worked hard, stopped and asked before doing anything drastic, used our mowers and tools and came up with ideas about what we could do better - the only one to do that.

Emma isn’t her real name. I’m not going to share her with anyone.

We will probably adopt her she’s that good.!!

So what have I learned?

•

•

•

•

•

Beware of false economy. The less a gardener charges the longer they are likely to take - after all, what incentive do they have to hurry?

Many non-qualified gardeners try to charge the same as a qualified gardener - so why not just look for a qualified gardener and get what you are already paying for!

Save money (and help your gardener) by doing the right job at the right time! Garden maintenance is required all year around.

Talk to your gardener about how to simplify your garden i.e. mulching borders so you don’t have to weed so often. Plan ahead and call your gardener before the garden gets desperate as he/she may be busy.

To some people it’s a wildflower - to others it’s a weed. Every customer is different. Let your gardener know exactly what you want. Talk to your gardener if there is something they have not done it may be because it is the wrong time of year to do so.

Time Off

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