Innholdsfortegnelse for 30-jul-16 i Amateur Gardening

ONE of the perks of my job is that we get to read all of the other gardening magazines for free – it’s called research. I know that none of them are a patch on Amateur Gardening, but occasionally they raise interesting topics. I was browsing a certain well-known monthly and noticed a story on what to plant in the space when early potatoes are lifted. Every year I sow my winter brassicas including purple sprouting, Brussels sprouts, kale and cabbages – in April and grow them on individually in big pots. As soon as the spuds are lifted, my acidic soil (which is ideal for potatoes) is well limed and fertilised, and my by-now substantial brassicas planted in it. The liming is essential for healthy brassica growth and to…

• I bought my standard fuchsia from an excellent local supplier, but found a large clutch of small, bright yellow spheres nestled in the rootball. • I thought they might be slow-release fertiliser granules, which are usually blue or green, and too hard to break between finger and thumb. However, these squished easily, releasing a white gooey substance. • They were eggs, probably laid by vine weevils and, had they hatched, the emerging grubs would have eaten the roots and killed the plants. • If you find yourself with unwanted garden gatecrashers, either return the plant and get a replacement or refund (as I did), or wash the roots clean and hope for the best. Don’t plant it as it is, as a colony of vine weevils will infest your…

• Bearded irises (Iris germanica) should be divided every three to five years, six weeks or so after flowering. • Cut away each fan of leaves from the clump, keeping a 6in (15cm) portion of rhizome (undeground stem) attached. • Select the largest, healthiest fans, shorten the leaves to about 6in (15cm), trim the roots. Replant promptly, with the rhizome at soil surface on heavy soils, slightly below the surface on lighter soils. • For the best look, replant the divisions in groups, with enough room to spread between plants.…

1 Fill 3-4in (7-10cm) pots with loam-based compost (I used John Innes No 2), water well and allow to drain. 2 Using an old teaspoon, lift each cutting from the compost, steadying it by holding on to its leaves. 3 Make a deep hole in each pot of compost, and place the cutting into it, making sure all the roots are in. 4 Gently firm the compost to support the plant and remove air pockets. Place in a cold frame or sheltered spot.…

1 When planting bulbs in a lawn, simply scatter them, and plant them where they fall, for a natural-looking display. 2 Bulbs should be planted at a depth of two or three times their height, so measure them to get a rough estimate. 3 Dig the hole using a trowel and drop in the bulb, making sure its pointed ‘nose, or shooting end, is facing upwards. 4 Refill the hole with soil and replace the cap of removed lawn, before firming down gently. Water well.…

I ONLY planted my strawberry runners in March, and I’ve have been impressed with their yield this summer. We’ve picked bowls of huge strawberries, so it’s time we repaid them for such abundance. There are three main types of strawberry to choose from: tiny alpines (which don’t need any special treatment), everbearers (which crop all summer and autumn), and the main ones – summer strawberries. I’ve all three at home. The everbearers and alpines don’t need attention yet, but the summer varieties want a rest. Chop back all foliage (pests and diseases can fester here), give them a good liquid feed, and watch as they recover quickly with fresh leaves. You can propagate these strawberries via their runners – if you want to do that don’t cut them off; I’ll…

THOUGH they’re caged against birds, the mature cherry trees at East Donyland Hall haven’t set quite as heavy a crop as last year, which might be down to the wet weather we had in June. While a lot of fruits were set, that month I watched in dismay as many of them shrivelled and fell off. Oh well, there’s always next year! It makes me even more determined to enjoy the harvest we do have this summer, so I’m picking over these trees every few days to ensure I get the cherries at their best. Wait until the fruit is the colour of red wine as this will give you a rich, intense flavour and a cherry packed with juice. If we’re forecast wet weather, the ripening skins may split,…

THE best time to harvest lavender is after a spell of dry days. Secure small bundles with an elastic band (as stems will shrink when drying) and hang upside down in a cool dark, well ventilated place. We used the shed (right). If you intend using lavender with the stems intact, harvest just before the flowers are in full bloom. For lavender sachets or pot pourri, harvest when the flowers are fully open for a stronger fragrance. Cut and hang as above and then strip the flowers from the stems (left) and dry for a further week, ‘stirring’ daily to dispel any moisture. See next week for more lavender craft.…

• I sowed some ‘Durham Early’ cabbages indoors two weeks ago, and promptly forgot about them! • The seedlings had grown rather leggy by the time I remembered, but were not too developed to move on. • I filled a module tray with John Innes No 2, watered it and let it drain. I lifted the best seedlings from their tray using the end of a plant label, and popped each plant in its own module, firming it in. The tray is in the greenhouse, and I will keep an eye on my growing cabbages!…

GO on, admit it. You’ve always wanted to have a proper go at pond dipping. Why should kids have all the fun? If you own a pond, or have access to one, then give it a go. You can also go out and about exploring streams or rock pools on commonland (but always mindful of health and safety issues). Closer to home there’s also the watery contents of a water butt or, if desperate, a birdbath! Dipping enables you to discover the animals living and thriving in the water. I determine them by their leg numbers, eg: • Those with no legs include pond snails, tadpoles, leeches, bloodworms, water fleas and phantom midge larvae. • The only four-legged pond dwellers you’ll see are adult frogs, toads and newts. • Water…

1 Fill a seed tray with a fine-textured seed compost and press gently to achieve a flat surface. Water, using a fine rose on the can and leave to drain. These are tiny seeds and could easily be lost down cracks and crevices. 2 Sow the seeds thinly and evenly by taking a pinch and dispersing them from between finger and thumb. There are many seeds in a packet, so avoid over-sowing. 3 Scatter the finest covering of compost over the tiny seeds, press lightly again and set the tray on the staging in a shaded corner of the greenhouse or in a cold frame to germinate in natural warmth, but without disturbance by rain.…

AS fruit and veg growers know too well, the season of produce gluts is just around the corner. But gardeners no longer need to throw excess produce away and feel guilty, because a new free mobile app aims to help with sharing of unwanted veg. Called OLIO, it connects gardeners with allotments, veg patches and gardens, in a bid to eliminate food waste. Bumper harvest A spokesman said: “Gardeners can be faced with a bumper harvest and a glut of fruit and veg that can get on top of them, leading to waste. OLIO allows users to make the most of gluts by sharing it.” This month, gardeners are sharing ripe berries, leafy greens, tomatoes and herbs. The app has already been downloaded 50,000 times. Gardeners use smartphones to snap…

Trim hedges Once they’re established, most evergreen shrubs need little or no regular pruning. When it is deemed necessary, it’s normally carried out in spring. However, those evergreens that flower in late spring and early summer should be left until around now, or when flowering has finished. Box, privet, lonicera and common laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) should be trimmed at least twice during the growing season. Holly and firethorn (pyracantha) – if you do not want the berries – should be done once, in late summer. TOOLS TO USE: Large-leaved evergreens, such as common laurel and spotted laurel (aucuba) should be cut back using secateurs to avoid slicing through and killing leaves. Evergreen climbers – summer care Many evergreen climbers are excellent plants for creating permanent screens. They need…

• While shade from other plants can help to prevent a clematis container from becoming too hot (above), you can also line the pot with several sheets of newspaper or bubble wrap. This will help to shield roots from the heat of the sun, which can lead to root damage and prevent flowering. • Ensure you know the pruning group of your clematis (group one, two or three) and prune accordingly. If it flowers before June then no real pruning will be needed apart of taking out any dead, diseased or damaged growth. This should be removed in February or March.…

Q Could you recommend an evergreen shrub that flowers in winter that doesn’t grow much over five foot and spread too much? It is for a corner at the back of a rockery. Mrs Freda Pegg, Beverley AI think Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis (dwarf sweet box) fits the bill perfectly. It has tiny, fragrant creamy-white flowers followed by black berries. There’s also Daphne odora ‘Aureo-marginata’ (winter daphne – pictured) with fragrant flowers that last for a long time. The only down side is that it isn’t fully hardy, which might be a problem in East Yorkshire. It should be fine if the corner is sheltered and not a frost pocket. An early flowering option is a dwarf rhododendron, such as Rhododendron ‘Dora Amateis, (see pages 30-33 for more evergreen ideas).…

Q When is the best time to repot my blueberry plants? They have almost finished fruiting so I would like to refresh their compost. They are growing in the greenhouse. Sue Mann. (via email) A The best time to repot blueberries is in the autumn when plants are dormant, so that the bushes can become established before winter. This means they’ll get off to a strong start in spring. Don’t repot too soon, because the increased availability of nutrients may result in lots of new growth which will not have time to mature before winter. Even for plants in a greenhouse, it is better if new growth occurs in spring. The largest pot size you should need is a 50-litre pot, for a bush about 5ft (1.5m) tall. After this,…

Cosmos Pick when the petals are starting to open, but are not yet fully open. Dahlia Cut the stems when the buds are starting to unfurl but are not fully open. Phlox Cut when most flowers have opened; sear the base of the stems with a flame. Sunflower Cut as the petals are opening, put into water immediately. Support the stems well. Rose Cut as the bud is opening and recut under water frequently. Never crush the stems. Sweet pea Spring-sown ones flower until the first frosts. Keep picking to ensure continued production. What to order now for cutting in spring... • You can buy bunches of daffodils and tulips at the florist or supermarket, but the choice is pretty limited. For a huge selection, order bulbs from a specialist.…

Burning contrast Kniphofia ‘Nobilis’ - orange spikes in late summer. Sun or semi-shade. H6ft (2m). Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ - sprays of bright scarlet flowers. Sun or semi-shade. H3ft (1m). Fergus says: “Put these sizzling hot plants together, and you’ve got a fiery combo that gets the heart pumping faster” Green & black Helianthus salicifolius - an unusual willow-leaved sunflower. Sun. H6ft (2m). Atriplex hortensis var. rubra - red orach has raspberry-burgundy foliage. Sun. H4½ft (1.5m). Fergus says: “The fresh green of the helianthus foliage shows off the darkness of the atriplex.” Pink & silver Eucomis ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ - wine-pink flowers on upright stems. Sun. H27in (70cm). Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ - silver grey evergreen foliage. Sun. H29in (70cm). Fergus says: “These two have similar colour tones but…

LATE summer can be a strangely muted time in the garden. Summer flowers are fading, and autumn’s blooms and multi-coloured foliages have yet to get into their stride. You can liven things up by planting a flamboyant container using a standard shrub or large ornamental grass as the central focus, and surrounding it with bedding, and plants with bright foliage. I planted up a ‘hot’ pot packed with vivid colours. I chose a standard fuchsia as the central focus, and surrounded it with dazzling-leaved coleus, red and yellow gazanias, red celosia and a few dwarf apricot begonias left over from my bedding display. I used a black container to set the plants off to best advantage. I used a mix of multipurpose compost and John Innes No 3. This is…

AS regular readers will know, the soil in my south Dorset garden is fairly thin, with a thick layer of chalk just beneath the surface. However, this free-draining lack of nutrients has not stopped several clumps of beautiful, purple-blue Siberian irises (Iris sibirica) from growing and thriving in two of the borders. One group in particular has grown so well it has started to encroach on the lawn, and invade the growing space of a beautiful white potentilla and a thriving catmint. So once the flowers had faded and the plants deadheaded, I decided to split the clump in two, and replant the divisions in areas of the garden lacking in colour. This will free up space, and give the new iris clumps time to become established before they fall…

THE summer is often regarded as a time of drought and garden pests, but the warmer weather doesn’t necessarily mean a downturn in the number of diseases afflicting plants. If anything, warmer weather, increased humidity under cover, and the stress caused by insufficient watering in dry spells, can make plants more susceptible to a range of problems. Mildews and fungal problems can also access plants through wounds made by plant-eating and sap-sucking pests such as aphids, lily beetles and vine weevils. Prevention is better than cure, so help avoid diseases by keeping the area around your plants clean and tidy, by removing spent flowers and fallen, damaged or diseased leaves. Provide adequate ventilation in the greenhouse or conservatory, and water undercover plants regularly as they can’t benefit from rain. Keep…

“Ayletts have a very good range” IT gives me real pleasure to see plants grown well. Earlier this year I called in on Aylett’s Nurseries and Garden Centre at London Colney, just off the M25/M1 junctions, and it was a delight. At that time the dahlia tubers were all set up in trays, shoots appearing in all directions and thousands of cuttings taken for the new season ahead. I first met Mrs Hazel and her husband, the late Roger Aylett, on the show circuit back in the mid 1960’s. They carved their now considerable business out from a field all those years ago and part of that field, alongside a massed display of dahlias, now holds a spectacular celebration garden. It is well worth a visit and a good stop…

• As well as planting bulbs singly in ‘natural’ drifts, you can also lift a patch of lawn, scatter the bulbs underneath, and replace the lifted turf. • Tread it down gently and water well, and the bulbs will push their way through at flowering time. • If you are planting bulbs in beds or containers, add a general-purpose fertiliser, and place them at three times their own depth, and two bulbs’-widths apart. • Firm the soil with the back of a rake and water well. Label the area too, so you don’t dig them up accidentally!…

1 Wait until mid-August before lifting maincrop spuds, but you can lift second earlies now. First cut off the haulms to soil level and compost them. 2 Lift tubers on a dry day. Push fork tines vertically into the soil at the side of the row, then lever the roots and tubers out. Leave them to dry a little. 3 Transfer the tubers to clean, dry sacks (paper or hessian) and store in a shed or garage. Don’t store any that are damaged or blemished, eat them!…

SHOULD you use ‘grey water’ – such as that from your sink, bath, shower, washing machine, etc. – on fruit or veg plants? Some gardeners think it’s unhygienic. But cats patrol our plot, along with foxes, squirrels, hedgehogs, pigeons, etc. I don’t worry about their droppings, so grey water’s fine! We’re on a water metre, so I’m keen to recycle it. I don’t store any grey water as bacteria builds up; I use it straight away. Also, I avoid using it too much on pots, to avoid salt build-up. And I filter washing up water through a drainpipe stuffed with straw, to catch fat/debris. The only crops I’ll avoid using grey water on will be those eaten raw. But I do use it around fruit trees and bushes, and crops…

You don’t need an expensive kit to press flowers. We used an old tie press that I found in a junk shop, but heavy books and clean paper will also do the trick. Remind children to ask permission before picking flowers. Choose naturally flat blooms such as pansies or violas. Pick on a dry day. Lay flowers between sheets of absorbent paper. Put them in a press or between heavy books. Flowers should be ready after 2 - 3 weeks. Single flowers and a few leaves make great note cards or gift tags and are easy for children to assemble. Put tiny dots of clear glue onto the paper first, before placing leaves and flowers on top.…

1 Fill 5in (12cm) pots with John Innes No 2, which will feed the seedlings as they grow roots and develop. 2 Water the compost, and let it drain. Sprinkle seeds thinly on its surface, so the seedlings won’t be crowded. 3 Cover the seeds with a fine layer of vermiculite, to help regulate moisture around the growing seeds. 4 Label and seal the pots in clear bags, and place them on a warm and light windowsill.…

• 31 July: Byways, 7A Brookfield Avenue, Brookside, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S40 3NX (1-4.30pm). Open in aid of NGS and Ashgate Hospice.ngs.org.uk 01246 566376 • 31 July: Froggery Cottage, 85 Breakleys Road, Desborough, Northamptonshire NN14 2PT (11.30am-5pm) Open in aid of NGS ngs.org.uk 01536 760002 • 2 August: A Passion for Plants: gardening for beginners (10.30am-noon/1-2.30pm), Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HS 020 7352 5646; chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk • 3 August: The Power of Plants: Ethnobotany for Beginners (10.30am-2.30pm), Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HS 020 7352 5646; chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk • 6 August: Plant Hunters' Fair (10am-4.30pm), National Memorial Arboretum Alrewas Staffs. DE13 7AR planthuntersfairs.co.uk • 7 August: Hilltop, Woodville, Stour Provost, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5LY (2-6pm). Open in aid of NGS ngs.org.uk 01747 838512 •…

KEEP an eye on campanulas, as a number of pests find them tasty. Aphids might appear on young shoots under glass but usually disappear once stood outside. Aphids known as ‘spittle bug’ occasionally show up as frothy blobs on plants as they come up to flower. Wash them off gently by hosepipe. Immediately after planting, protect young plants from slugs and snails. Visit at night by torchlight to see what is happening, pick off the miscreants and surround plants with wool pellets, copper or other deterrents and traps.…

A WELL-FILLED hanging basket really earns its keep over summer, but neglect it and you’ll likely end up with a messy display of overgrown, dead or flowerless plants. Yet, it’s possible to keep a basket going until the first frost of autumn. This requires giving plants regular attention to ensure they produce lots of healthy, floriferous growth and, most importantly of all, watering effectively. In my experience, a basket needs watering once a day at the beginning of summer, moving to twice a day when the temperatures pick up and the roots start to fill the basket. Water from the top, allowing it to soak in, before giving some more. When water drips through the drainage holes, the basket has had enough. Some people think there’s no need to water…

Cistus ‘Thrive’ This compact, hardy ‘rock rose’ has narrow lance-shaped dark green leaves, flushed bronze in winter. White flowers with yellow centres through summer. H2ft (60cm). Hebe ‘Neil’s Choice’ A loose shrub with purplish stems carrying narrow, bright green leaves, and thin flower spikes of violet in late summer and early autumn. H5ft (1.5m). Phlomis lanata The woolly Jerusalem sage is a compact evergreen shrub with grey-green leaves. Throughout summer it carries hooded yellow flower clusters. H20in (50cm). Magnolia grandiflora A large shrub or small tree, carrying large, glossy green leaves with brown felt beneath. Large, scented, cream flowers are held in late summer. H20ft (6m). Escallonia ‘Iveyi’ This bushy shrub makes a good freestanding specimen in a lawn, or in a mixed border. Glossy leaves set off the pure…

Buxus sempervirens (box) Box is the traditional choice for topiary, with small, rounded mid-green leaves held tightly to the stems. Holds its shape very well. Laurus nobilis The bay, grown for its aromatic leaves can be trained into globes, cubes, pyramids and many other shapes. Best grown in containers and overwintered in a frost-free place. Ilex crenata The Japanese holly can be tightly clipped into almost any shape, and is practically identical to box. It has small, slightly glossy green leaves; a tough, long-lived and versatile plant. Ligustrum delavayanum The Delavay privet is compact, with oval, dark green leaves and (if not clipped) short stems of small white flowers in early summer. Very drought-tolerant. Lonicera nitida This small-leaved plant (that’s in the same plant genus as the honeysuckle) is a…

Q At my local garden centre I noticed some standard lavenders. I have some French lavender that I started from seed and was wondering how difficult it would be to create standards from them. Dawn Fraser (via email) A Lavenders start to go woody at the base if left unpruned, and the general rule is to keep plants young and producing fresh new growth by pruning every year. However, this woodiness makes a standard lavender possible. Plants need to grow as a single stem, with the top left intact and all side shoots removed, for as long as it takes to reach a decent height. Most bought standards seem to have their ‘head’ about 15in (40cm) above soil level. I would assume that you start with a seedling or cutting…

A Normally, pollen falls from male flowers on to the cob’s female tassels and kernels are fertilised and swell to a good size. Ideally, plants are grown in a block to ensure that wind does this for you. If you are growing them in a row, much of the windblown pollen will miss the tassels so that cobs aren’t pollinated and fertilised. For the moment, liquid-feed twice weekly with a tomato fertiliser. Then, when cobs lengthen, remove male blooms and lightly brush them over female tassels. Cobs should then swell to a good and enjoyable size. Get picking! Blueberries on the same plant will ripen at different times, giving you an extended cropping season.…

Q Could you tell me of a seed company that sells mini petunia seeds? John Horton (via email) A Unlike conventional petunias, mini-petunias, also known as million bells or calibrachoa, are normally propagated from cuttings. They can be raised from seed, but results are variable and desirable characteristics may not be perpetuated. I suggest, therefore, that you contact Mr Fothergill’s ( mr-fothergills.co.uk, 0845 371 0518), whose seed, plant and bulb catalogue lists a wealth of varieties. QI wonder if you can identify this plant for me. It has pale mauve/ blue flowers and the butterflies love it. Prue Kirby, Horam, East Sussex A The plant in question, which attracts an array of butterflies, is marjoram (Origanum vulgare). A very colourful British wild flower, it colonises sunny banks on chalky soil…

WATERING containers can be a chore at the best of times, and if your container is a hanging basket just out of reach it can make life hard – too hard to manage with a watering can. An extended arm on your hose is the answer, and if that arm is telescopic you can reach great heights without much bother. We tested six hanging basket waterers, all featuring plastic and aluminium tube construction and all with 180° (or thereabouts) travel on the tilting head. Homebase Telescopic Lance £9.99 0345 077 8888 homebase.co.uk  for store finder Features Plastic and aluminium tube construction with rubber grip handle for comfort. Tiltable head with 10 spray patterns ranging from mist to jet and including a moulded hanging ring. On/off thumb lever also…

Dahlia ‘Fascination’ Bold purple-pink flowers above bronze foliage. H29in (75cm). Ipomoea lobata A climbing cascade of small flame-red and cream flowers. H6ft (2m). Verbena bonariensis Small purple flowers atop thin, tall stems. H6ft (2m). Dahlia ‘Witteman’s Superba’ Crimson red double flowers that create impact. H4ft (1.3m). Dahlia ‘Moonfire’ Warm sunset red and gold flowers with bronze foliage. H31in (80cm). Canna ‘Wyoming’ Lush exotic orange flowers and bronze-purple leaves. H6ft (2m). Dahlia ‘Knockout’ Cheery yellow daisy-like flowers with black foliage. H31in (80cm). Phlox ‘Princess Sturdza’ Mauve blooms in July and August. H4½ft (1.4m).…

PREPARE to be amazed by the huge flowers this unusual hardy perennial hibiscus will produce! Flowering late in summer every year, this is an entirely different species from the shrubby hibiscus that you may be used to – and despite its exotic look it is 100 per cent hardy in the UK! With this collection you’ll get two well-established plants – one red and one white. Perfect for pots on a hot, sunny patio, each will produce colossal flowers that can be up to 12in (30cm) across. Grow them in the sunniest part of your garden for earlier, bigger flowers – and feed them well in spring and summer for best results. Plant them in large containers, a minimum 15in (40cm) in diameter, in John Innes No3 compost, which is…

1 Calibrachoa, or million bells, are trailing plants producing a profusion of petunia-like flowers, usually in bright colours. 2 For robust, autumnal flowering, try dahlias. Their vivid blooms bring long-lasting colour to the garden. 3 Cosmos are low-maintenance, and have large flowers and delicate foliage. Dwarf varieties are perfect for containers. 4 Upright pelargoniums make excellent central container plants, and trailing varieties are widely available, too. 4 Plant the central plant. Make a hole as deep as its rootball, carefully tease some roots free, position it and firm it in. 5 Plant the other plants. It can help to place them on the compost, in their pots, first, until you get the right look. 6 When the plants have been added, give them a good watering, stand the pot on…

1 It is a good idea to water the iris clump well an hour or so before dividing. It’ll irrigate the plant and makes it easier to lift. 2 Carefully dig the whole way around the plant leaving the rootball intact, and lift it on to a flat board or tarpaulin. 3 Place two garden forks back-to-back in the clump and lever them apart. Tease the smaller roots apart by hand. 4 Using sharp scissors or secateurs, cut down the leaves by two-thirds. This helps reduce water loss from the plant.…

AFTER I took cuttings from my lavender and rosemary bushes, back in June, I left them to their own devices in the greenhouse. They seemed to thrive on this neglect, because when I checked them this week I noticed that roots were starting to poke through the holes in the base of the cuttings tray, and the lavender shoots were actually starting to flower! Lavender and rosemary are relatively easy herbs to propagate. They are tough plants that originate from arid, Mediterranean regions with poor soils and little rain, so their shoots will happily grow away in a hot, dry greenhouse. After I potted up my cuttings, I placed them in the coldframe, where they will stay f or the duration of the winter. I will pot them on into…

LAST September I paid a visit to Kew Gardens, and one of the most memorable sights was a swathe of pink colchicums (autumn crocus) growing through the grass next to a path. Like most bulbs, those that flower in autumn are easy to plant and relatively low-maintenance. They help to brighten the garden as summer flowers start to fade. Among the most popular varieties are dahlias, which start in summer and keep their blooms through to September, autumn crocus, vivid yellow sternbergia, tall, pink nerines, and little Cyclamen hederifolium, which thrive in dark, dry areas under trees, To extend colour into the winter months, you can also plant snowdrops, yellow winter aconites and Cyclamen coum. They will all reward you with colour when it is pretty thin on the ground…

WHO doesn’t like potatoes? Nobody in our family, so I’m thrilled to discover that our second early spuds have bulked up brilliantly, thanks no doubt to the rather soggy June. I’m banking on these spuds for mywinter stores, rather than the maincrops, because they’re better at avoiding potato late blight, which ruins the storage potential of the tubers. Second earlies mature that bit earlier, before blight hits us. This earlier lifting also means less slug and snail damage (bite-holes also cause rots in storage). The second earlyvarietywe’re growing this year is ‘Lady Christl’, which is also delicious as a new potato. Consequentlywe’ve had to exert some pretty strong will-power to get the tubers to this stage! Top Tip   Ideally sweet cherries are eaten fresh, but they can be stored…

HOW perfect the scene… two charming boys harvesting lavender in my friend’s front garden singing a pretty English folk song to all the passers-by. Forget the tuneful “Lavender’s Blue dilly dilly” - they were actually humming the theme tune to Star Wars and arguing over whose turn it was to use the scissors. If you think I have an easy job photographing my children’s activities you’d be wrong. I have tricked you into thinking all is rosy, but Joe’s happy face is really a triumphant laugh in his best Darth Vader voice celebrating the fact he has the biggest bundle of flowers and that he will never ever relinquish control of the inadequate children’s scissors to his brother. “Ha ha ha…” With the photo completed and the camera away I…

I’VE said it before, and I’m sure I will say it time and again, but why buy ready-cut supermarket herbs when it’s cheap (and so easy) to grow your own? The majority of everyday herbs, such as mint, parsley, thyme, basil, and coriander, will grow happily in the garden in summer, and are also suitable for indoor sowing. In fact, serried rows of healthy growing herbs look extremely attractive on a kitchen windowsill, and can be easily replaced with a fresh sowing when they start to look straggly, or have all been used up. Throughout the summer, I use many of the herbs growing in the garden in borders, and in pots on the patio by the back door. However, now is the time to start planning ahead to autumn…

“Before you go, harvest anything that is ready” I NEVER take summer holidays as I love my garden too much to leave it. Friends suggest they could pop in and water for me, but what’s the point? This is the best time to be in the garden! However, I do understand family pressures and many people really need the break that some time away provides. The trouble is, it’s very hard to leave a garden untended during these summer weeks. So if you don’t have willing friends what can you do? Well, you could decrease the number of plants that will be lost. Anything in a small pot or basket that needs daily watering is doomed unless you set up some form of automatic supply. Proper irrigation systems are available…

CANTERBURY bells are rather old fashioned but delightful cottage garden favourites, standing 30in (75cm) tall when the spire of showy, bell-shaped flowers reaches full height from May to July. Cup and saucer kinds are the showiest, as the calyx behind the flower is enlarged and the same fresh blue, pink or white as the bells themselves. These are biennials, a group of plants often overlooked by gardeners, yet they flower prolifically in the gap between spring and high summer, fading away just as later-flowering perennials come into bloom. Canterbury bells have been bred from Campanula medium, a species of bell flower native to Southern Europe. In the garden, they need a fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soil to give best results and will grow in sun or light shade. What…

I HAVE my dad to thank for my love of alpines. When I was a nipper he built a huge rockery with a path that ran from one to side to the other. I spent hours playing with my toy soldiers on his creation and can vividly remember some of the treasures he planted. Sadly, rockeries are no longer in vogue, but these diminutive gems look great in containers. Around five plants (depending on their size) will fit comfortably in an 18in x 14in (45 x 35cm) trough, while at least nine plants can be elbowed into a 3ft x 15in (91cm x 38cm) planter. There are many different styles of planter available. Sleek black terrazzo, terracotta and fibreglass troughs suit urban gardens, while weathered stone troughs and old ceramic…

IF you can’t keep up with all the fresh leaves herbs provide don’t let the surplus go to waste. I’ve got several herbs dotted around the place in containers that can all be preserved. The foliage of rosemary, thyme, sage, bay, lovage, chives, parsley and many others can be dried – if you’re not sure if a specific plant can be preserved in this way, check out the herb rack at the supermarket to see whether or not it is offered for sale. Whole stems of larger plants can be cut and then hung upside down in a dry, airy place – an airing cupboard is ideal. Alternatively, pick individual leaves and lay on sheets of wire mesh. Leaves need to dry within two days or they will spoil. If…

A GOLD medal-winning Chelsea Flower Show garden designed by a top TV gardener has taken root at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Chris Beardshaw, a presenter on the BBC’s Beechgrove Garden, won the top RHS medal with his Morgan Stanley Garden for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Now, BBC One’s DIY SOS team has re-installed the garden at the London hospital. The BBC team built the garden on a disused second-floor rooftop. So as not to impact the daily life-saving work of the hospital, the team had to use a crane to lift the entire garden in – including 30 mature trees, topiary and hedging. The crane also had to haul 1,000 plants and 30 tonnes of soil into the rooftop garden. Chris told AG: “The wards at the hospital…

GARDENERS are being asked to keep track of which butterflies visit their plots this summer, to help with conservation efforts. Butterflies, which have suffered decline, are often regarded as indicators of the health of the environment. The UK has 22million gardens, representing an area roughly the size of Somerset. They are considered to be vital butterfly habitats. Butterfly Conservation has teamed up with B&Q for a new campaign. As well as urging shoppers to choose butterfly-friendly plants, gardeners are being asked to log butterfly sightings on the garden butterflysurvey.org website.…

• The box blight fungal disease starts with leaves turning pale, and quickly progresses to patchy die-back. In mild cases, cut out the affected growth and burn it. Spray with Bayer Fungus Fighter. Box is also being attacked by the Asian box tree caterpillar, which can reduce a plant or hedge to a bare skeleton within days. According to the RHS it is now the number one garden pest. Where practical, remove caterpillars by hand, or spray with Resolva Bug Killer.…

Q Why does one of my container clematis only produce one or two flowers, even though it’s a large, healthy plant? It’s a small-leaved variety that should bear large white flowers. It only managed one flower so far this summer and three last year. What’s wrong? Rosemary White (via email) A Clematis can do well in a container providing that the tub is large enough. It should be at least 18in (45cm) deep, as plants need a deep root run. Ensure the container has plenty of drainage holes. Shade the pot to prevent roots from getting too warm. If temperatures at the roots are too high, the plant’s growth can slow down and almost come to a halt. Try standing other containers on the sunny side of the clematis pot,…

Q My giant lilies are already about 5ft (1.2m) in tubs in their first season, with flowers 7in (17cm) across. Should I lift them at the end of flowering season, or leave them in their tubs? Ian McKenzie (via email) A There is no need to lift them – it is probably best not to disturb them. In spring next year, apply a top dressing of Growmore and fresh compost. At Beechgrove in Scotland, tree lily ‘Manisa’ are getting on for 10ft (3m) tall and look magnificent. They have been in the same pot for the past three years. They are grown in the conservatory, mainly to protect them from the wind. AG Expert hotline Call weekdays from 12-1pm 0843 168 0200 WRITE TO US: Ask Christine, Amateur Gardening magazine,…

QI would like to take cuttings from my fuchsia. How can I do this? Su Brandon (via email) A To take cuttings, remove this year’s side shoots about 5-6in (13-15cm) long. Then use a sharp knife to shorten them to 3-4in (8-10cm). Make a horizontal cut just below the bottom joint, and a sloping cut above a leaf at the top. Remove lower leaves and insert cuttings 2in (5cm) apart around the edge of a 4in (10cm) clay pot filled with gritty seed and cuttings compost. Water and cover them, and the pot, with a large plastic bag. Roots will form within a few weeks, and new growth will indicate that the cuttings have successfully ‘taken.…

Poppy Tray £4 Wilko stores   08000 329 329 wilko.com Everyone loves vibrant red of poppies. So bring that splash of colour to the garden table with an easy to clean tray that at W. 12in (31cm) x D 18 1/2in (48cm) will hold lots of dishes or drinks. Team it with other poppy design dinnerware from Wilko. PVC Tablecloth £15.99 (p&p £4.95) 0844 482 2800 scottsofstow.co.uk Pretty and practical in one, made from waterproof PVC with a polyester backing this fresh lemon design will always look as good as new no matter how many spills or splashes come its way. Has a parasol hole and measures: Diam. 4ft 5in (140cm). Tablecloth Weights (Pack of 4) £5 (p&p £3.99) 07796 950 860 thegrowingobsession.co.uk Ensuring your tablecloth…

GREAT Dixter is one of the UK’s most loved gardens, thanks to the late great Christopher Lloyd, who lived, wrote and gardened here. Born and raised at Dixter, Lloyd flew the nest for a stint in the military, and to study horticulture, before returning. He set up the Dixter nursery, and began to develop the garden. Over time he became known for his unconventional, bold approach to planting. In 2016, Dixter are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his death. “Every day the garden is open this year is a celebration of Christo - he lives on in the flowers, in the energy of the place,” says Head Gardener Fergus Garrett. “We celebrate his life by continuing to garden in the spirit of him, always trying new things, as he liked…

No change for gardeners I FOUND the article in AG News (16 July) very interesting. I’ve always been a fan of Peter Seabrook and have rarely supported Monty Don’s views. However on this occasion I believe that Monty is right. In my professional capacity I’ve had many arguments with ‘Brussels bureaucrats’ over pharmaceutical drug regulations. My point is that the agrochemical industry, like the pharmaceutical industry, is global. If a product was banned in Europe, there is no way they would make it specifically for the British market. It wouldn’t make economic sense and the potential litigation issues from ‘exposure’ would simply compound the matter. I am a keen amateur gardener myself and am very dismayed that many active products have been withdrawn in recent years by ‘Brussels bureaucracy’ without…

“Fish swam to the bottom and haven’t been seen since” REGULAR readers may recall a few weeks ago I built a new pond in my back garden. I’m pleased to report it’s already a hit with wildlife – the seagulls that live on next door’s roof love it! They’re diving into the water, from where they can smirk in safety at the cat. There’s also a swarm of mosquitoes buzzing across the surface, where they come to lay their eggs. Knowing that still water is a magnet for these pests I planned to add pond fish to eat the mozzie larvae. Ideally you introduce goldfish and orfe once the greenery in and around the pond has filled out, but the mosquito larvae (easily recognised as they twist as they swim…