大象传媒

We are nearly at the end of another gardening year and what a year it has been what with a mild start and the unseasonably cold days during June and July it has been a real challenge not only for us gardeners but for the plants too.

This year has proved to be good in terms of top and soft fruit though, with massive yields of Apples and Pears and Raspberries and Strawberries so its not all been bad, Roses have looked at their best and have had a long season with some varieties flowering right through almost to the end of the year with the recent mild conditions.

The main disappointment for me was my outdoor tomatoes as they were slow to get started and with the cooler conditions in June and July made very little growth, however, once they got going the crop was quite good, though not as weighty as last year, and I was able to have some lovely salads and with the later green ones which were not ripening, some jars of green tomatoes chutney, so all was not lost.

My plan is to decide which plants did well this year, and those that struggled, will be replaced by those which I consider will flourish.

PLANT OF THE WEEK:

Hebe "Heartbreaker" is a relatively new variety of this favourite border plant. Most varieties are either green leaved and some have variegations with green, white and yellow foliage but "Heartbreaker" has amazing pink tinged variegated foliage which guarantees late winter colour. Hebes will grow in most soils and need little maintenance other than a trim after flowering when the plant gets too big.

TOPICAL TIPS:

Cut foliage like Conifer, Holly, Ivy and berried stems from the garden for bringing in for Christmas decorations. Stand newly cut stems in buckets of very cold water and leave them standing out side for at least two days. this should ensure the stems will be well nourished enabling them to survive the heat of the house during the festive period.

Use the holiday as an excuse to select new seeds for next years crops as most seed suppliers will be issuing next years catalogues now. Plan also what changes you may make to your garden next year and make plenty of notes and if you spot a new plant in a neighbouring garden that's seems to be doing well then find out what it is and get one yourself.

Keep indoor plants well watered but not too wet and keep Christmas plants such as Poinsettias and Azalea's away form heat, that way they will give weeks of fragrant colour.

May I wish you all a Very Happy Christmas And A Great Gardening Year In 2012:

Happy Gardening:

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