Gardening

Note from a Small Garden

As I write this on a blistering hot Sunday, I’m wondering how you are all getting on with watering. As we live in the region with the lowest rainfall in the country (even though we had a wet winter), will there need to be a hosepipe ban in the next few weeks or so, if this heat wave continues?

At the moment I have to admit that I am watering the pots, tomatoes and the cucumbers in the poly tunnel every day, usually in the evening. Some people say, however, that plants should be watered early in the mornings. It’s thought that they may absorb the water better that way, but I must say I haven’t noticed any difference! I also water the beans and the courgette family in the potager and have to admit that I use a hose pipe. Watering new shrubs and trees weekly is a must in this weather. Unfortunately, as we have a thatched house, its difficult to catch the rainwater except off the garage. I remember my aunt, even in her late eighties, watering with the bath water, but you need a system feeding into a tank in order to catch all the wastewater. But we may all have to do that. A butt doesn’t hold enough water for a very hot summer! Please let me know your thoughts. Alas, I have lost a new damson and plum tree, bought from Arrington Nurseries who say that they will reimburse me. I think it was because of that sharp frost we had in May followed by drought. But anyone with good plum or greengage tree is in for a bumper year. Our old greengage trees are at least 60 years old, and happily send out a new branch , when half the tree dies. This year they are laden. And now I have a question. We are off on holiday with the children and grandchildren shortly and alas, I have no Kilner jars left to bottle the fruit. I have always been told that it is important to remove the stone before freezing as the fruit is liable to taste of almonds. This year I am doing a trial of stoning half of my greengages and leaving the stones in the rest before freezing. I will let you know the results next time!

My Discovery apples are not as big and crunchy as they usually are, probably due to the second heat wave we are currently having. On the other hand, my Crispin apples are looking good. And the climbing French beans are a big success. Farmers sadly, however, report that all their crops are down in yield this year. Enough of water problems and catastrophes! Here are just some of the essential jobs to do in September:

Cut your hedges

Dead head border plants, and really cut back Alchemilla mollis.

The leaves come back very quickly.

Beware of unexpected frosts at the end of the month, so be careful not to lose tomatoes and geraniums and any house plants that you have put outside all summer. So watch the weather forecasts. I forgot to bring a favourite geranium in one year and all the plants died. Luckily I remembered who had given it to me in the first place and she gladly gave me some new cuttings.

Plant Sale and Open Gardens

Finally, we have a plant and produce stall, and two gardens at 39 Whitecroft Road and 23 Chiswick End will be open on the afternoon of Sunday 6th September from 2.00-5.00pm, to raise money for the fabric of the church, which at the moment is in a poor state of repair. There being no fete this year, we have lost one of our big opportunities to fund raise. Please come and support us. There will be tea and cake at the Dumb Flea and we will be all ready to welcome you and keep to the governmental guidelines for COVID-19. Meantime, good gardening and watering from Jim and me.

Julie Draper Juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738 DIGGERS, DUMPERS, BREAKERS, WHACKERS, ROTAVATORS. AVAILABLE FOR DAILY OR WEEKLY HIRE. WWW.MELDRETHPLANT.CO.UK

Are There Pine Martens in Meldreth?

Recently, I heard that Pine Martens may have been spotted in Brewery Lane and Topcliffe meadow earlier this year. Pine Martens are one of our rarest mammals and were not thought to exist in this area. They are related to weasels, ferrets and otters and are about the same size as the average domestic cat. Their fur is brown/black and they sport a creamy coloured bib.

Care should be taken not to confuse Pine Martens with Polecats, which are known to be present in Cambridgeshire. Polecats tend to be slightly smaller with a mask of dark fur on their faces. Pictures of both can be easily found online for comparison. Comparative Sizes The Vincent Wildlife Trust Pine Martens’ main food includes small mammals such as voles and rabbits but they will also eat birds’ eggs and berries. They are very agile climbers and it is alleged that they will catch and eat squirrels. The Vincent Wildlife Trust operates a Pine Marten Recovery Project and has moved some from Scotland to Wales and other suitable locations in an attempt to preserve the species. A group were released in the Forest of Dean in 2019 and one was seen on camera in the New Forest.

It would be exciting if Pine Martens became established locally. Please look out for them: apparently a sign of their presence is the remains of half-eaten squirrels! If you think you have spotted one locally, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com so that we can inform the Vincent Wildlife Trust.

Ken McLean

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