HOME & GARDEN

DIGGING DEEP

Getting a bit fruity

Last month we explored how a pond can improve your garden by encouraging many species of wildlife, but autumn officially starts in September and if you already have one of the water features this is the time to take extra care of it.

When leaves begin dropping from trees, you really don’t want them to land in your pond where they will rot and add to the sludge. In turn, aquatic life will be harmed when the leaves decay, which also affects the colour and quality of the water. A leaf-free pond in a happy pond.

Planting grass around the periphery is a smart move, as it will act as a great dust catcher.

But as the seasons slowly change, there are many other jobs to turn you into a busy bee in your outside space; water butts need to be cleaned, and pay attention to your grassed areas; if you have sparse patches, reach for the seed and replenish.

Autumn winds can play havoc with your delicate plants and young or fragile trees. Don’t wait until problems arrive; act now in anticipation of high winds by ensuring tree ties and plant supports are doing their job.

Preparation is key if you want a pop of spring colour in your flower beds – bare-root wallflowers will survive the winter frost, so plant now and you’ll be glad you made the effort when they bloom next year. Crocus, daffodil and bluebells bulbs can all be planted now too.

If you grow to eat, there is plenty to do in your vegetable patches including sowing greens. Broad beans, peas and onions and shallots can all be put in now.

And what of fruits? The best plums we’ve ever tasted were the ones harvested from a very old – and very reliable – tree belonging to a neighbour. When he would climb up the Adam Frost from Gardeners’ World says, ‘save seeds from your plants and save money.’

I’d like to talk about saving your tomato seed. Tomato comes from the Aztec word Xitomatl and this year I have grown varieties resistant to blight disease (there is no sign of that as I write) and ones from seeds saved myself.

The big one on the the photo (below), I saved seed from last year. It’s called Giant Bolivian Pink (and has a lovely, mild taste) and the smaller dark one is Black Krim from a Guernsey garden. If you find a tomato that you really like, cut it in half, scoop seeds out with a small spoon and spread them onto kitchen paper to dry. When the seeds are dry, leave them on the paper, write the name on it if you know the variety, and put it away till next year. When the time is right to plant them, cut the paper into bits with some seed on and plant that in a pot to germinate - there is no need to separate them from the paper. You can save any seeds, vegetable, flowers, seed from a favourite shrub. Not all seeds are suitable, but it is always worth a try as it saves money, packaging, and energy and gives great excitement when you see those little green shoots popping their heads out of the pot.

Happy gardening, Carol Smith

Plum trees are a delicious and nutritious addition to a garden

ladder to reach those at height, he would throw the odd one onto our lawn for us to grab and devour. Later, we would receive a bag full of yummy yellow fruits. Delicious, organic, packed with vitamins and so versatile; they can be used in jams, chutneys, sauces, poached or taken straight from the fruit bowl. As we often did.

If you have fruit trees, ensure you pick the produce before winds force the fruits to the ground where they will bruise and be at the mercy of insects and frost!

If you have too many, store them, or distribute them – fresh fruits will be welcomed by neighbours and friends. If you are lucky enough to have a big harvest, you might like to consider donating to a food bank. Whatever you do, please make sure they are used, not wasted.

If you were looking forward to putting your feet up this month, you had better think again.

Your garden needs you!

Top Tip...

Sunflowers are one of the biggest and brightest of the summer blossoms, and this year they have taken on more meaning; as the national flower of Ukraine they have been embraced as a symbol of support for the embattled country.

The flowers signify peace in Ukraine and many people have shown solidarity by growing the terrific flowers here. If yours are still looking radiant, enjoy them while they continue, but when they bow out, leave the seed heads in situ – visiting birds will feed on them and be thankful.

How does your garden grow?

> Bletchley Garden Club (BGC) meet each month. New members welcome. For details visit bletchleygardenclub.org

Learning to live in a changing world

Climate change is already having effect on our daily lives including our environment, business, health, and public services. The cost of living is soaring, and households are faced with the pressure of finding enough money to pay eye-watering energy bills, fuel for our cars and food for our tables.

Each of us has a responsibility to make changes but sometimes it can be a challenge to see how an individual can really make a difference.

After some of the hottest summer days on record nobody needs reminding about the effect that global warming is having on our day-to-day lives.

Day after day, headlines have been showing empty reservoirs, wildfires causing havoc across the countryside and, when we think enough is enough, there are flash floods destroying homes and lives.

The war in the Ukraine, has been another factor with an increase in energy prices of more than 50 per cent. The Energy Price Cap which comes into force in October will see yet more price rises with another due in January putting average bills at more than £4,200 a year.

While this increase in global demand for liquefied natural gas has added to the pressure the United Kingdom experienced lower winds than normal, meaning that wind turbines have been unable to generate as much power as they have done in previous years.

In the meantime, in the United Kingdom 40 per cent of CO2 emissions are caused by individuals, mostly from energy used in the home. Many of us recognise the value of making changes to reduce our personal carbon footprint and to preserve the world’s precious assets. So, while we watch events unveil on the global stage and closer to home, there are ways we can each make a difference.

Advances in technology have enabled specialists like T&K Home Improvements to bring new products to the market. This includes solar glass which has an invisible coating that is effective in blocking external heat from the sun while retaining the warmth when temperatures plummet. This hi-tech glass for windows, doors and other living spaces means households can stay cool when temperatures rise and stay warm when freezing winter starts to bite.

The reality is that our energy bills are going to rise - we need to find ways to negate the rising costs. One way is improving the insulating quality of our glazing

We all want to do our bit for the planet but sometimes it can be difficult to see how we can make a difference A starting point would be to look at how we can better insulate our homes by taking advantage of the latest advances in glass technology.

Double glazing is another option. It was recently hailed as the ‘unsung hero’ in the fight against climate control by the World Economic Forum.

Adrian Timbers, sales and marketing manager, said: “We all want to do our bit for the planet but sometimes it can be difficult to see how we can make a difference. A starting point would be to look at how we can better insulate our homes by taking advantage of the latest advances in glass technology.

“It is now possible to have a living space that stays cool in the summer, warm in the winter and, at the same time, make significant reductions in energy bills. The pressure on the price of materials and manufacturing means this a good time to buy rather than delaying the decision and then finding in the coming months that it will cost a lot more to make the changes.”

T&K guarantees the work for ten years with the fitting undertaken by the family-run company’s team of experienced fitters.

>> To find out more visit our Wellingborough Showroom at Huxley Close, Park Farm South, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN8 6AB

T&K Home Improvements is a family run business that has provided quality windows, doors and conservatories since 1979 in Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas. To find out more about high performance energy efficient glazing options and how much you can save visit our website: www.tkhi.co.uk