Innholdsfortegnelse for 29-oct-16 i Amateur Gardening

FIRST it was the bird table and feeders that came under attack, then I noticed the garden pots were being excavated. Now the little blighter’s burying his nuts in the containers in the greenhouse! Squirrels undoubtedly have a certain charm – big, bushy tails, cute looks when they stand nibbling nuts, and breathtaking agility when there’s a meal to be liberated from a well protected bird feeder. We’ve managed to effectively squirrel-proof our main feeder with a dome cover above and plastic bottle ‘baffle’ beneath to stop him climbing the pole. But he’s regularly caught red-handed inside the cage of the ‘squirrel-proof’ feeder from the garden centre. Until recently I was philosophical about his presence (though it could be a ‘her’) because we encourage wildlife and, like the pigeons my…

I KNEW the garden shed was a bit untidy, but I didn’t realise just how bad it had got until I saw a spider making its escape, its possessions in a spotted hankie on a stick slung over one of its many shoulders. Sheds tend to get rather unruly by the end of a busy summer of gardening (even if you start out with the best intention of keeping them tidy). Tidying them up before things quieten down in winter gives you the perfect opportunity to throw out unwanted items, ‘find’ misplaced hand tools, do a stock take of essentials, and make the place straight. Be ruthless. Throw out broken tools and equipment, and donate usable duplicate tools to charity, or give them to friends. If you have accumulated hundreds…

• For the best results, plant lily bulbs in a loam-based compost such as John Innes No 3, with added slow-release fertiliser. Keep the compost moist. • Plant large bulbs individually in containers, and smaller ones in well-spaced groups of three per pot. Leave 2in (5cm) between each bulb, and plant them at twice their own depth. • After flowering, either repot the bulbs or move them into the garden. Varieties in large pots can stay put for a second season, but refresh them with a 2in (5cm) top layer of new compost.…

“I’m feeling like a young Lloke again” UNTIL 12 years ago Paul Mears was an aVtive serving fire offiVer who loved nothing more than playing with his kids at the weekends and playing rugLy for his loVal VluL. But a game of rugLy was the Leginning of his proLlems. Two aVVidents in as many years left him a Vompletely Vhanged man. First, he Lroke his left ankle during a game and then 17 months later he suffered a fall at work that left him with seriously damaged ligaments and tendons in his right knee and ankle. His prognosis was not good. After two operations and endless hours of physio he was still unaLle to walk without the aid of a walking stiVk. He was forVed to retire from the fire…

• It is easy to drop a few ripe seeds when you are clearing beds of spent vegetable plants like peas or beans. • I found three healthy-looking pea seedlings growing where I had removed their parent plants a few weeks ago. • I have potted them up and will keep them in a cold frame, watching out for slugs and mice. Keeping them in a greenhouse, even an unheated one, can cause them to grow leggy, and fall prey to fungal disease.…

IT’s not just plants that grow in our gardens – we do, too. Lessons learned improve our knowledge. If we start to think we’ve got it sussed, you can guarantee Mother Nature will boot any complacency into touch! One thing I’m sure of is that the greenhouse soil at East Donyland Hall needs replacing. I grew melons in it this year and of the seven plants I put in, only four made it to maturity. Young melon plants are prone to collapse via various root rots, so by changing the soil I’ll remove any build up of problems. If your greenhouse crops were sickly this summer for no apparent reason, you might want to follow my lead. Lucy is a former AG gardening editor, and edited a national Grow-Your-Own magazine.…

IF you want to get a head start on spring jobs, autumn-planted onion sets are for you. Selected to be hardier than their spring-planted counterparts, the sets (tiny bulbs) can be planted this and next month, giving you earlier harvests – expect to have sizeable bulbs by late June. Improvements in breeding mean autumn sets now have good storage characteristics, keeping into the New Year. If you planted onion sets in spring in addition to your autumn ones, it would give you an almost year-round supply of bulbs! Autumn onion sets, such as ‘Radar’ (yellow) and ‘Electric’ (red), are widely available from garden centres. Good drainage is essential for strong growth, as is a weed-free plot. Plant them 6in (15cm) apart in rows 12in (30cm) apart, and so the tip…

AS gardens get tidied this autumn it’s important to check for wildlife that may be hiding. This is a great job for children, who may like to keep a record of what they find. Here’s a few of our favourites: Hedgehogs find it tempting to hide under bonfire stacks, so check underneath with a torch before bonfire night begins. Check long grass before mowing and strimming. To create a hedgehog friendly garden see: The British Hedgehog Preservation Society: britishhedgehogs.org.uk Slow worms hibernate between October and March, often hiding in compost heaps. They are actually lizards because they can shed their tails and blink their eyelids! Elephant Hawkmoths have fake ‘eyes’ and spiny horns to ward off predators. This monstrous caterpillar may be found among plant debris as it begins to…

• Position on or near a south facing windowsill for sturdy growth and bright leaf markings. • Keep plants cool during winter, otherwise warmth combined with low light encourages spindly growth. Provide a minimum of 50°F (10°C). • During the growing season, which extends well into the autumn, allow the top half of the compost to dry out between waterings and feed monthly, using a well-balanced liquid feed or one designed for succulents. During winter, water sparingly. • Pot plants into well-draining compost (50:50 John Innes no 2 and soilless, mixed 2 to 1 with potting grit) when growing actively.…

• 29 October: RHS London Shades of Autumn Show, RHS Lindley Halls, 80 Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE & Lawrence Halls, Greycoats Street, London SW1P 2QD. 10am-5pm. Admission £6 (£9 on day). rhs.org.uk/shows-events • 29 October: Plant Centre, RHS Garden Wisley. From 11am-12.30pm. Author, broadcaster and RHS ambassador, Mary Berry will be signing copies of her new book Family Sunday Lunches. No charge for the event. Copies available to purchase from the shop. For further information rhs.org.uk/gardens • 29 October - 2 November: Autumn Apple Display, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. Enjoy a taster or two, get advice on growing apples and see fantastic displays of more than 200 northern apple cultivars. For details 0845 265 8070 or visit rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr • 29-30 October: Pumpkins and Potions…

DESCRIBED as a “Marmite” plant – you’ll either love it or hate it – ‘Green Passion’ is a new clematis with double green flower heads and tepals with white tips. It’s among a trio of new clematis from specialists Thorncroft Clematis of Norwich. Others are ‘Burning Love’ which flowers from June to September in a strong red, with bright yellow stamens, and ‘Sea Breeze’ with mauve/ blue flowers most of the way along its stems. Go to thorncroftclematis.co.uk for details or call (01953) 850407 to find out more.…

WHAT will this winter hold? Will we be knee deep in snow, slipping about in frost or moaning about how mild it is? Whatever happens, us gardeners won’t be happy. The garden at Stockton Bury is closed to the public for the winter and we are preparing for whatever the weather can throw at us. Most of our terracotta pots are emptied and put down in the cellar for safe keeping, our taps are insulated, wooden garden furniture moved undercover and statues and features are covered with fleece and large plastic bags. The only features that remain unprotected are the metal sculptures. ‘Packing up’ the garden may seem a bit extreme but by protecting our wooden and stone features we are adding years to their lives. If you don’t have…

I’M constantly entertained by the fondness men have for wood. I asked my uncle which wood he preferred to burn and he promptly starting quoting poetry! Elm wood burns like church yard mould – even the very flames are cold was one little ditty. Without the use of poetry here’s a few facts that will prepare you for winter: • All wood burns best if stored for a year; • Apple is a slow burner, which doesn’t spit and releases a lovely perfume; • Ash burns well when green and old. It is also thought to be one of the best woods to burn; • Hawthorn burns slowly and gives off good heat; • Larch has sap that can cause deposits to form in the flue if burnt frequently; •…

GROWING your own cut flowers can bring just as much pleasure as digging up your own potatoes or podding your own peas. It gives you the freedom to cultivate the flowers and foliage you love rather than relying on what’s available at the supermarket or florist. Just like your homegrown fruit and veg, your flowers will be fresher than blooms grown abroad and they’ll have zero transport miles. It can be difficult to buy scented cut flowers, as commercial growers prefer to focus on qualities such as long stems and the ability to withstand the supply chain. Growing your own means you can have scented flowers and delicate plants to pick, and you can experiment with different colour combinations. Producing enough flowers to fill a vase or two each week…

Dahlias Dahlias come in a fantastic range of shapes, sizes and colours. Plant up tubers in March into large pots and keep somewhere frost free until planting out at the end of May. Supplier: Woolmans: 0333 003 1671. Amaranthus tricolor ‘Red Army’ A half-hardy annual that produces sturdy stems, foliage and drooping flower spires in a stunning deep red crimson. Perfect for late summer and autumn arrangements. Supplier: Sarah Raven: 0345 092 0283. Cosmos ‘Xanthos’ A half-hardy annual with lemony-yellow flowers that are smaller than other types, which makes them perfect for jam jar arrangements. Protect from slugs. Supplier: T&M: 0844 573 1818 Salvia viridis ‘Blue’ This annual clary sage is perfect as long-lasting filler material in your arrangements. Produces spires of deep purple,…

EVER wondered what those three little letters that appear beside the names of some plants stand for? An AGM or Award of Garden Merit is given by the Royal Horticultural Society to plants of exceptional garden value, those you can depend on for colour and resilience, just as long as you give them the conditions they need – and sometimes even if you don’t. When buying, look for the little cup symbol on plant labels. Award winners are generally varieties that have proved their value over decades, and it’s mainly those we’re featuring here, along with the very best newcomers. Covering the whole growing year, these are the shrubs, climbers and perennials we can all depend upon; plants that don’t need fussing over, and around which you can build your…

IT’S easy to make sweeping statements about that most ordinary of items, the broom. As autumn approaches we’ve tested six against pine needles, leaves and other debris that gardeners are likely to encounter. Our brooms range from high tech multi lock tools to the traditional wooden brush. Prices vary too, which was quite surprising for such a common item. As always, its best to consider where and how often the broom will be used. The stiffer, man-made plastic brushes removed stubborn grime/moss and gave the best overall performance in most conditions, however, the softer natural brushes had advantages of their own. Natural bristles worked well at sweeping dust from block paving, tarmac and wooden surfaces and even did well on mats as they didn’t damage the weave. Brushes were used…

NERINE sarniensis (Sarnia was the Roman name for Guernsey) are, despite their name, also native to South Africa but bulbs allegedly washed up on the shores of Guernsey and naturalised there in the mild climate. They tend to be shorter than N. bowdenii and there are many hybrids in white and all shades of pink. Here on the mainland they are generally too tender to stay outdoors (especially as leaves grow just after the flowers) and are best overwintered under glass. If you grow them, remember: • Bulbs like a mainly dry summer dormant period. If necessary, keep under glass as protection from wet summers. • Water in dry summers to keep bulbs plump, but let them dry out in between. • After flowering or in spring, plant individual bulbs…

Carved pumpkins Be a big kid and make a Jack-o’- lantern. You’ll need a kitchen knife, large kitchen spoon and marker pen. Choose a pumpkin with a flat bottom so it doesn’t wobble about when you are cutting out the face! Door wreath If you have no room for pots, buy an inexpensive twig wreath and decorate with seasonal berries and small fruits. Got a uPVC door? Invest in a self-adhesive plastic coat hook, stick it to the door and suspend from that. Porch lanterns Add sparkle with a lantern or two. Ikea sells them for as little as £2. Or DIY it by decorating your own jars using glass paint pens or paint from Hobbycraft. Just be sure to position them well out of reach of children.…

Toby reveals a few tips to help gardeners plant for privacy “A generous mulch applied now speeds establishment” IT’S a puzzler as old as gardening itself – what to plant for fast privacy that doesn’t demand regular trimming or even desperate hacking back later on. It’s not an easy one to solve as when there’s nothing between you and the neighbours, the appeal of a speedy grower always outweighs the consequences of planting a ‘cuckoo’ that’ll outgrow its space. But before you splash out on a Leyland hedge or plant a row of Redwoods there are a few tricks to help get slow-growers like yew and Oriental acers up and out of the blocks quickly. I was reminded of the first while driving the school run recently. In the centre…

TO everything there is a season, and autumn seems to be the season containing everything. Planting, harvesting, and general garden maintenance all have their place in these last few weeks before the winter arrives. Every autumn my dad used to buy bunches of newspaper-wrapped bare-root wallflowers from an old plantsman who ran a nursery in a walled garden in the centre of town. This year I decided to continue the tradition. I bought a large bunch of healthy looking ‘Fire King’ wallflowers, which I have planted to bring colour to a border at the front of the house. They were bought bare-root, wrapped in wet newspaper, and I planted them as soon as I got them home, and watered them thoroughly after planting. The months between now and the end…

Fallen leaves can be stored for around two years to create leaf mould, which can be used as mulch, soil improver, and compost. 1 Mow small numbers of leaves on the lawn and leave them there. Once shredded they can be taken into the soil by worms, improving its structure. 2 Leaves will rot down better when they are slightly damp. If collected dry, pour a little water into the bag or bin to boost the speed of decomposition. 3 Leave a few leaves under trees and in wilder areas of the garden. Wildlife and garden birds will use them as both a refuge and a larder over winter. 4 Fallen leaves are classed as ‘brown’ material, along with twigs and other woody matter, and can be added to compost…

• Chemicals should always be stored in their original container, somewhere cool and dry, away from children. • Empty containers of ready-to-use solution can be rinsed and recycled. Empty containers of concentrate should be rinsed three times and then put in the bin – do not recycle. • Never pour unused chemicals down the drain as they will pollute watercourses, harming wildlife. Use them as stated on the container, or contact your local council for advice about safe disposal.…

DIGGING the soil and incorporating well-rotted compost or manure improves its structure and fertility. It also aerates the soil and helps with drainage, and gives you the chance to remove deep-rooted perennial weeds. Digging heavy clay soils is hard work whichever way you do it, and if your soil is like this it might be worth considering adopting no-dig techniques. However, digging light soils can be a pleasure if it’s done carefully. There are a few simple rules to follow for pain-free digging. Be modest in your ambition – don’t try to dig a huge area in one go. Little and often is best. Dig when the soil is moist but not saturated. Limber up before you start – stretch your muscles. Use a spade that suits your size. I’m…

“Charity shops are a great source for flower vases” A WIDOWER found the house strangely empty as well as lonely on the death of his wife. Eventually he realised that she had always displayed flowers in the living rooms and it was their absence that brought about the change in atmosphere. It doesn’t take long to bring fresh, ideally fragrant, cut flowers into the house and modern styles of display are, to say the least, easy to arrange. One of the most elegant and graceful of all flowers to my mind are Acidanthera murielae (now reclassified as Gladiolus murielae – but the corms are usually sold under the earlier name). A few stems cut and pushed into an attractive bottle show them off perfectly, and at a height where you…

IF your soil is thin and poor, or heavy to work, or your plants need an extra layer of winter protection for their roots, mulch could be the answer. Mulch can also be used to feed plants, and tidy up the appearance of borders. The best time to apply it is in spring or autumn. There are two types of mulch: biodegradable matter that breaks down to enrich soil and feed plants, and non-biodegradable material (see panel, right). Biodegradable mulches include well-rotted compost and manure, bark chippings, leafmould, straw, and the spent compost from containers and growbags provided they are free from pests. The benefits of their use include improving the water retaining abilities and structure of the soil, suppressing weeds, protecting plant roots from extremes of temperature, and deterring…

WE live just down the road from a quince farm, so while I don’t have a tree in my garden we’re lucky enough to have a readily available supply a short car journey away. Quinces look like a large pear, but they ripen to golden yellow and then give off a marvellously unique perfume. For the best flavour, leave fruits on the tree as long as possible, but when frost risk threatens pick them for storage in a shed or garage. Due to the aforementioned perfume, it’s appropriate to store quinces away from apples or pears because the aroma can taint other fruits. Lay them on a slatted rack, not touching, and their flavour will mellow over the subsequent weeks. They’re best eaten cooked, and while quince jelly is the…

THERE is literally nothing to compare to a perfectly ripened ‘Doyenné du Comice’ or ‘Fondate d’Automne, so if you don’t own a pear tree it’s time you did. The best flavour is obtained from a sunny, sheltered spot (a pear trained espalier-style against a south- or west-facing wall is ideal) and they’re happier in wetter soils than apples. Shelter also protects these early-flowering trees from frost damage. The vast majority of pears ripen in storage rather than on the tree, which confusingly means they’re picked while still rock hard in autumn. Place them in a shed or garage, however, and they’ll gradually mature and ripen – your only job then is to select and eat them at perfection. A pear glut can also be stored in the fridge – move…

THE children always use a dry wipe marker to create the perfect pumpkin face, I slice the lid and the features with a knife and then let them pop out the holes and empty the inside with an ice cream scoop. We tried roasting our pumpkin seeds by tossing them in a knob of melted butter, adding a pinch of sugar (or salt) to taste and baking in an oven for half an hour at 150°C (or until golden brown). • We use battery operated tea lights inside our pumpkins to avoid naked flames. • See more gardening ideas for kids and Halloween craft projects on our website below: For more great kids projects see amateurgardening.com/junior…

“A wall is the most costly, but it should last for centuries” WHENEVER a new wall, fence or hedge has to be installed or an old one replaced it can present some tricky decisions. Each of the three options is an awkward trade-off between expense, work and time. But you will have to live with the result, so making a hasty decision is not wise. Most opt for a fence as it’s the quickest to erect and cheaper than a wall – over 10 years, that is. But repair and maintenance for a fence will increase each year, and after a couple of decades it will need replacing. A wall is the most expensive initially, but should last for centuries with little repair. And it can be built in little…

A LARGE village in Northern Ireland that recorded a population of just 3,403 in the 2011 census has won the ultimate prize in community gardening. Ahoghill in County Antrim was crowned Champion of Champions at the 2016 RHS Britain in Bloom awards, hosted by TV gardener Chris Beardshaw. It was one of just six areas across the UK chosen to compete for Champion of Champions, and won an RHS gold medal. The RHS said Ahoghill was “arguably the cleanest, greenest and most beautiful town in the UK”. Judges visited 72 finalists in summer. As well as outstanding horticultural achievement, points were dished out for environmental responsibility and community participation. Green and pleasant Chair of the UK judging panel, Roger Burnett, said: “The judges were impressed by the way communities refused…

GARDENERS should plan to create a butterfly-friendly garden next year, say experts at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. “Buy the right shrubs, and if you are getting your seeds and bulbs now, make sure you focus on buying butterfly-friendly annuals and perennials,” said the garden’s Dr Natasha de Vere. Some butterfly species lay eggs in long grass while others like nettles, so tidy gardens aren’t ideal for butterflies. Plants butterflies love include: buddleja, Verbena bonariensis (circled) lavender, wallflowers, marjoram, thistle, sorrel, dock, nettle and nasturtium.…

WINTER fragrance is highly sought after in the garden – and few plants supply it more reliably than daphnes. Position these perfumed early spring and winter-flowerers close to a window, doorway or path to enjoy their captivating scent without venturing too far. Or try them in a shady border for some much-needed seasonal interest. Ideal for fans of the unusual, we’ve chosen three less commonplace varieties. Each is supplied as a 10.5cm (4in) potted plant, and will arrive at the optimum planting time. Average height and spread: 4ft/1.2m. Daphne albowiana Ideal for adding to a shady border where its neat, compact habit makes glossy evergreen domes, this variety also tolerates dry soils well, so it can be grown beneath dense tree cover. The yellow-green flowers appear from March to late…

Self-watering herb keeper £14.99 (p&p £2.99) 015394 88100 lakeland.co.uk Simply pop your potted herb in the stylish container and add water through the spout in the base where it will be taken by a hydro-felt pad. Herbs can then draw up water as and when needed. Comes with four spare pads. Pot diameter: 5½in (14cm). Planter and pen holder £30 free p&p   kikkerlandeu.com Keep your succulents close while you work. The terraced base of this concrete desk-top planter is also the ideal resting place for pens, paper clips and business cards. Umbra Trigg Wall Vessel £30 + £2.95 p&p 0121 2247728 redcandy.co.uk Add a green touch to a wall indoors with this diamond inspired design. A ceramic pot (the trigg) hangs in a shiny copper-plated wire frame for a…

EVEN if you don’t have kids or grandchildren yourself, Halloween is hard to ignore – and why would you want to? This ancient Celtic festival is of particular relevance to gardeners as it is believed to have started out as a celebration of the end of the harvest. The last day of October was seen as a time when the dead came back to life to damage crops and make mischief. The good news is that you can join in the Halloween fun without having to dress up as a witch or wizard, simply by creating a spooktacular display of pots for your doorstep or front porch. Head to the local garden centre and treat yourself to cyclamen, chrysanthemums, heucheras and grasses. Plant them in pots and group them together.…

A bloomin’ lovely homage IN late June this year my husband took me to Mottisfont Abbey garden to see the roses. However, I was more impressed by their penstemons planted in large tubs, an example of which you can see here. I’ve been growing penstemon for many years and am such a ‘penstemaniac’ that I have nearly 200 different varieties growing in the borders in my garden. I had many rooted cuttings this spring, which I’d overwintered successfully and were now healthy plants, but I had no room to plant them out in the garden. So I thought I’d try growing some in large pots as they do at Mottisfont and here is one of my efforts. It just goes to show that you’re never too old to learn something…

• Before winter weather arrives, make sure your garden is prepared. • Check tree supports and ties. Ensure stakes are firmly in the ground, and that the ties are properly fixed, not too tight. • Make sure fence posts are solid, and that panels are properly attached, and not in danger of being broken or damaged by high winds. • Clear debris from house gutters and patio drainage runs so that downpipes and drains don’t get blocked and cause flooding.…

• Half-hardy fuchsias can survive the winter outdoors in warmer, sheltered areas, but in general should be lifted, potted up, and overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse. • Standard fuchsias should also be moved into the greenhouse, as the frost can damage their stems and roots. • Mulch the crown of hardy fuchsias with compost, bark or straw. It is also worth taking a few hardwood cuttings to overwinter under glass, as an insurance policy in case the parent plant succumbs to winter cold.…

BULBS are an easy way of bringing colour and interest to the garden. Don’t worry if you only have a tiny plot or cramped patio - they will also grow happily in containers. The wonderful thing about bulbs is that there are plants for every season. I was looking for something to brighten the weeks between the end of spring-flowering plants, such as daffs and tulips, and the start of summer colour. In the end I chose blue Camassia leichtlinii as my central plants, and surrounded them with voluptuously dark Anemone coronaria ‘Bordeaux’, and a mixed scattering of colourful ranunculus. These are all hardy bulbs, so after flowering I will be able to transplant them into the garden if I want to, and use the container for something else. Top…

1 Dig a trench one spit deep across one edge of the area to be dug. Barrow soil to the far end of the area. 2 Break up the soil in the base of the trench deeply then add lots of well rotted compost or manure. 3 Now dig a second trench parallel to the first, use the soil from it to fill first trench. Dig base, add compost. 4 Repeat process until you’ve dug right across the area. Use soil from the first trench to fill the last one.…

AFTER a prolific summer of fruit and vegetable production, as well as flower growing, the soil in garden beds and on allotments will have been leached of may nutrients. There are several ways of improving the soil and replacing spent goodness, and one of the easiest ways is to dig trenches, and fill them with green kitchen waste. Instead of throwing veggie peelings, fruit peel and skin, and dead flowers onto the compost heap (or in the garden waste recycling bin), simply dig a deep trench in an area of poor soil, and tip them in. Keep adding green waste over the next few weeks until the trench is full, then top with soil. The waste will soon rot down and improve the soil. This is an excellent way of…

• There are many non-biodegradable mulches available. • They range from decorative shells, slate and shingle for borders, to glass lozenges, seashells, and collected pebbles around plants in containers. • Mulches can also include materials such as plastic and weed-suppressing fabrics. These can be used to warm soil before planting or sowing in early spring, and to keep weeds at bay around newly-planted shrubs. • Plastics and fabrics may not be as attractive as natural materials, but they do a good job at a reasonable price.…

RAKING up leaves is great fun for kids until it becomes a ‘job. That job is usually mine, and although it is hard work, I find it quite satisfying to uncover the lawn and make huge golden piles of leaves. I save the leaves in a separate compost heap, which turns into leaf mould in two years. Leaf mould is like liquid gold for the garden, and improves my heavy clay soil. However, my kids find it funny to run through the leaf piles, throw them at each other and ruin my plans for clearing up the garden. Next door’s cat also likes running through my leaves, so it becomes a real challenge. Sometimes I join in, saving the raking for later. There was a commotion in the garden when…

COMMITTED indoor gardeners will find a tray of Kalanchoe thyrsiflora irresistible, with succulent, red-rimmed leaves lined up vertically, their edges facing the sky. This structural, almost geological beauty has a practical function, since the plant is shielding its leaf surfaces from harsh South African sun. The pale, waxy ‘bloom’ is a further adaptation to prevent scorch and water loss. Our common names for this succulent are paddle or flapjack plant but in Afrikaans, ‘meelplakkie’ or ‘dusted with flour’ is very apt. When mature enough, rosettes rise up to around 2ft (60cm) during late winter or spring, to produce a mass of small orange-yellow, urn-shaped flowers. Afterwards, the rosette dies off but plants are easy to propagate by stem or leaf cuttings. Twist off a healthy leaf with a little stem…

IF you own a cat, it may have brought you an occasional ‘gift’ of a mouse, shrew, vole, or perhaps something bigger. However, when it comes to preying on small rodents, even the best feline ‘mouser’ can’t get anywhere close to being as proficient as the owl. With their sharp, hooked bills and strong, arched claws, owls make light work of their prey. They also have superb hearing (being able to discern a mouse’s movements from many yards away) and, most sinister of all, they can fly and swoop in absolute silence. There are more than 200 species of owl worldwide, a typical British species being the tawny owl, famous for its “too-wit, too-woo” call. With a rounded body and head it is the size of a pigeon. Reddish brown…

The overall winner will stay for three nights in the stunning Ngala Lodge and four nights in the Mandina Lodges in the Makasutu Forest where youÕll receive: Guided forest walks River trip by pirogue Return flights from Gatwick Half-board at the Mandina Lodges and b&b at the Ngala Lodge The overall winner will also be invited to photograph this dream trip and have their work featured in Lonely Planet Traveller and Amateur Photographer magazines. PLUS Each category winner will win a Fujifilm X-T10 camera worth £779. This compact mirrorless digital camera turns any trip, whether in everyday life or to the other side of the world, into the ultimate photo opportunity. Visit fuji.co.uk/x-t10.…

HERE we go again! It’s the season of leaf fall and our rakes are at the ready. The best time for me to clear leaves is when my son is at school, as he seems to get great pleasure out of kicking about the piles of leaves I’ve just created. My aim is always to get them into black plastic bags before the school bell goes in the afternoon! By putting the leaves into black plastic bags I am well on the way to making the most wonderful soil conditioner – leaf mould. Those with lots and lots of leaves will find it easier to make a chicken wire ‘pen’ and put them straight into that. Then cover the top with an old piece of carpet. Using this method will…

THIS week my uncle put a basket of Asian pears (Pyrus pyrifolia) by my potting bench. Within minutes I delved in and tried to take a bite from one. Hard is an understatement! The thick, golden skins and apple shape make them very tempting but the secret, as I quickly discovered, is to cut these pears into slices. This provides a wonderful crunch, lots of juice and a flavour that matches up to any good pear drop. Provided with a sunny spot, trees of this fruit are ideal for a small garden, as they will only reach about 10ft (3m) after 10 years. There’s a few varieties available to buy in the UK – Reads Nursery sell ‘Kumoi’ and ‘Shinseiki’.…

How do I grow mushrooms at home? QI’m keen to grow mushrooms for the first time. Do mushroom kits work? Gail Farthing, Luton, Beds A Growing mushrooms from kits is great fun, and easy, providing you follow the instructions carefully. Oyster and button mushrooms are the easiest, while Shiitake, lion’s mane and Portabella or brown cap mushrooms require more skill. Select the type of kit or spawn depending on what you are going to use the crop for. Whitecap mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are the white mushrooms that are commonly available in shops and that we all know. Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) have a soft texture with a flavour that is subtle. These are the mushrooms commonly used in oriental cooking. Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) have been grown in Japan for…

Terracotta pots Choose terracotta as the warm colour works particularly well with autumn tones. In order to prevent plants drying out too quickly, pots over 16in/40cm in height and diameter are preferable. For decent drainage, ensure your containers have holes in the bottom. Carex Grasses offer movement and autumn tints. Choose an evergreen such as Carex trifida ‘Rekohu Sunrise, which has gold, yellow and green foliage. With a height of 28in/70cm it is the perfect plant for positioning at the back of a potted display. Ajuga ‘Burgundy Glow’ Valuable groundcover plant with foliage that neatly tumbles over the rim of a pot. While it’s too late to enjoy the blue, early summer flowers, the leaves of evergreen A. reptans ‘Burgundy Glow’ have a silvery shimmer, making it a worthy addition…