大象传媒

For me gardening this year has been as much as a challenge as it has for many gardeners up and down the country. Even the commercial growers have had a pretty tough time, though there may be hope of a mild winter and perhaps some late cropping if the current weather allows us to get some work done in the garden.

Runner Beans and Courgettes were not bad considering, but Tomatoes for me, were a dead loss, so unless ripening starts soon then its masses of green Tomatoes chutney so I guess on that basis at least something came out of the hard work and effort earlier in the year when I cultivated my summers Tomatoes crop.

Its often hard to pass on my enthusiasm to those who are about to embark on gardening for the first time and its going to be especially difficult after such a challenging year, however, all is not lost as we are a nation of gardeners and we are a pretty hardy lot. My guess is that gardening will be just as popular next year and for many years to come so its onwards and upwards and lets look forward to a better gardening season next year, though, as I have said, there is still much that can be done, even now.

PLANT OF THE WEEK:
GRISELINIA LITTORALIS is a tender fleshy light green shrub from New Zealand. It makes a great hedge or screening shrub and if you want something a little different then plant the variegated variety "Dixon's Cream" which is quite striking. If flowering plants are used as part of a display then this lovely hedging shrub, as a backdrop, will help the colours of flowers stand out.

TOPICAL TIPS:

Make up a solution of insecticide and fungicide and after removing dead and diseased wood from Apple and Pears, spray the solution until the liquid runs off. This will help in the fight against overwintereing pests and diseases and help to keep the trees healthy during the next seasons cropping.

Take cuttings of African Violets by removing healthy leaves from the main plant and cutting them into postage stamp pieces. Once done simply turn over the leaf cuttings and make a few slicing cuts into the veins on the back of the leaf making sure the knife does not go right through. Pin the cuttings onto a tray or pot of damp compost and place in a warm light place. Keep evenly damp and in about two months small buds will develop from each cutting.

Remove Algae and Lichens from patios, pathways and steps with a proprietary patio cleaner. Carry this out as soon as you can to prevent the areas becoming slippery and dangerous.

Happy Gardening

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