Innholdsfortegnelse for 15-Oct-2022 i Amateur Gardening

“An experiment was conducted in the summer at Mr Fothergill’s trial grounds near Newmarket in Suffolk that I was lucky enough to witness. They were trialling a leading brand of peat-free compost against peat-based using tomato plants. The plants were grown in rows in a polytunnel, alternating peat and peat-free, so the progress could be clearly judged between one and the other. One thing really stood out — the leaves of the peat-free plants were substantially lighter than the peat-grown and so was the colour of the crop. Essentially, they were undernourished. This means more feeding will be needed at extra cost to gardeners. (See our report on page 7).…

THE tomato trial results showing that peat and peat-free composts behave very differently and have markedly different effects on plants came as no surprise to horticultural experts Steve and Val Bradley. As correspondents of The Sun and AG, they carried out their own peat-free compost trials that were reported in AG’s 27 August issue. Val said: “Our concern is that peat-free products are made to look like peat, but they don’t perform like peat, which is confusing the home gardener. They need entirely different watering and feeding regimes. “Extra feed means extra waste bottles or packets, and the extra water will sting if you’re on a meter. “It’s not a consistent problem, either. Peat-free varies between manufacturers and even from batch to batch, according to what’s available. And then there…

ONE of the main uses of the greenhouse this winter will be providing a frost-free space for seedlings and cuttings. They will stay under glass until the risk of frosts subsides next spring, when they will be hardened off and planted in the garden. Many of the cuttings and seedlings will be hardy varieties, but there will also be some tender plants, including some dahlia seedlings. Like all dahlias they are half-hardy perennials, which means that while they come back each year, they are not tough enough to withstand cold weather. Mature dahlia tubers are usually lifted each autumn and stored in trays of compost or sand before being potted up in spring so they can start to grow before they go into the garden in summer. I do this…

I HATE to sound like the prophet of doom, but it won’t be long before the clocks go back. This event is seen as life-changing at the best, or catastrophic at the worst, by many who don’t welcome the longer evenings. Personally, as an avid reader and crossword junkie, I can’t wait for longer evenings to arrive. I am jaded from hours of gardening until supper, although I admit that the Best Beloved and I eat in time for the 6 o’clock news! The 8 o’clock supper with wine is not for the likes of us. We have seasons in the Cotswold uplands and, when asked which is my favourite, I always say winter because it allows you to wind down without feeling guilty. The low light shines through the…

A border of October flowers Christopher Lloyd extols the virtues of October flowers and explains how to make an October border ONE feels rather sorry for the flowers of October; with a season too late to be of much use in the main flower borders, they get the Cinderella treatment. Yet these flowers help to prolong the illusion of summer and can be enjoyed in those periods of idyllic weather that October seldom fails to bestow on us. Why not make an October border? Throughout the summer it will be looking full of promise and can include certain plants that will come into bloom long before autumn, but still be at their best when they are most needed. A few berrying shrubs will not come amiss, and some grey foliage…

This word search comprises words associated with dracaenas and cordylines. They are listed below; in the grid they may be read across, backwards, up, down or diagonally. Letters may be shared between words. Erroneous or duplicate words may appear in the grid, but there is only one correct solution. After the listed words are found there are eight letters remaining; arrange these to make this week’s KEYWORD. CORDYLINE DRACAENA CABBAGE TREE NEW ZEALAND DANCING SERIES AFRICA DRAGON LIZARD MAORI PALM SPIKY TORBAY VARIEGATED HOW TO ENTER: Enter this week’s keyword on the entry form, and send it to AG Word Search No 642, Amateur Gardening, Future Publishing Limited, Unit 415, Winnersh Triangle, Eskdale Road, Winnersh, RG41 5TP, to arrive by Wednesday 26 October 2022. The first correct entry chosen at…

THERE’S a definite sense of impending autumn now, and while temperatures are still mild here in the south, the nights are increasingly chilly and further north the cold may really be starting to bite. It’s time to start clearing greenhouses, coldframes and mini greenhouses to get them ready for their winter guests, the tender perennials and bulbs, seedlings and cuttings that need to be kept in a frost-free environment for the next few months. Our coldframe and mini greenhouse have only been used sporadically through summer, but the greenhouse has been a nursery for courgettes, chillies and tomatoes so it needs a clear-out and clean before the new plants go in. Compost the spent plants that are healthy and not affected by diseases such as powdery mildew and if you…

DAHLIA ‘Figaro’ is a dwarf variety growing to 14in (35cm). The plants have a profusion of flowers in a variety of shades, mainly pinks, red and yellow. They are ideal for the front of borders and containers, and will attract plenty of bees and butterflies. Dahlias are tender perennials, so in late autumn, when the leaves have been blackened by frosts, lift the plants and store them in a frost-free place. Although you are growing from seed, by the end of next summer your ‘Figaro’ plants will have developed small tubers that will grow and mature each year. Sow the seeds now or next spring onto fresh seed compost in clean seed trays. Cover with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite, label and place in a light, warm area.…

DO you find that growing fruit in containers is a bit hit or miss? Are yields disappointing? Do plants struggle? Well, no more! With a few key issues addressed, a mini potted orchard is within anyone’s reach, so let me tell you my tips on how to keep on top of it at this time of year. Pots of goodness Any plant with its roots contained within a pot is reliant on you, far more so than if it is grown in the ground – so be nice! Ensure your plant is in an appropriate position and pot, then keep it well fed and watered throughout any period of active growth. If you get that right, you’re onto a winner. “A mini potted orchard is well within reach” Choosing a…

MAPLES range widely in height from small bushy shrubs reaching 4ft (1.2m) that are typical of many Japanese maples (Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum), to stately forest trees reaching over 125ft (38m). Most maples are very winter hardy, tolerant of most conditions and require little in the way of special attention. The deciduous foliage is usually divided into five pointed segments, although some varieties may show as many as 13. Most wild maples have green foliage that can be richly or brightly coloured as it first opens in spring. The foliage of many also turns brilliantly fiery in autumn. Attractive foliage Japanese maples, in particular, may feature rich-purple or crimson foliage all summer while the clusters of small yellow flowers are often attractive, as are the developing summer fruits, each…

This week it’s: Cordylines and dracaenas Exotic-looking plants from the asparagus family CORDYLINES are popular garden plants in the UK. Arguably, 15-20 years ago they were even more popular, because at that time the trend for exotic gardens was at its highest – and these are truly exotic-looking plants, with their spiky, palm-like leaves and often highly fragrant flowers. The cordyline genus is quite small, with around 15 species found naturally in Australasia, and one, in tropical America. All are evergreen. Then there are the dracaenas, or dragon trees. There are more than 100 species of these, mostly native to Africa and the Canary Islands. Until midway through the last century, many of the cordylines we know today were regarded as dracaenas. Let’s take a look. Why cabbage trees? ALTHOUGH garden…

WIN £20 Please continue to send us your poems. Thank you Gloria Wilding, from Prescot, Merseyside for this poem. Gloria said: “This actually happened, I just tried to write a poem about it”. Years ago, a fuchsia bush wasgiven to me,By a neighbour in a rush.He needed space, so had toget rid,So I was the lucky recipient of thishybrid. Its bulbous petals of purple andpink,Felt soft and smooth likeexpensive mink.Bees were attracted to itsteardrop shape,And it certainly helped mygardens landscape. Birds sheltered in this colourfulspace,Having found a safe and secureplace.It was hardy and coped with theminimum of care,And, as a plant, nothing cancompare. Please note, prize monies will be sent approx 10 weeks after publication…

IF you have always wanted a greenhouse, this is a good time of year to add one to the garden. The ground will be workable which makes it easier to dig foundations, and you’ll have it in place by the time the really cold weather arrives. Look at your budget and buy as large a structure as you can afford or fit in your garden. Consider what frame you want: aluminium is light, easy to fit and casts little shade while wood may look more attractive, but needs more upkeep, takes up glass space and is more expensive. Glass is the best material for the panes, but it costs more to replace and you may want to consider safety issues if you have children or dogs around. Polycarbonate sheeting is…

A MAJOR trial of peat versus peat-free compost has laid bare the challenges facing gardeners. More than three-quarters of plants in peat-free compost failed to perform as well as those rooted in peat-rich growing media in a trial carried out by leading seed company Mr Fothergill’s. With the government committed to the banning of peat by the end of 2023 to protect natural peatland habitats, the Suffolk firm devoted a polytunnel to examining how gardeners’ favourite varieties of tomatoes performed when grown in two leading brands of peat-based and peat-free growing bags. Lacking in nitrogen The company’s marketing manager David Turner said that tomatoes in both peat and peat-free growing bags were treated to identical watering and feeding regimes, to provide a fair comparison. However, results on taste and yield…

OUR cannas and dahlias have loved this summer and even thrived on the grey water they were given every now and then. But now, with nighttime temperatures dropping, it’s time to start thinking about what to do with them over the winter. In theory, if they are growing in borders, you live somewhere sheltered and your soil is light and free-draining, you can leave them where they are for winter. Reduce their top growth to 4in (10cm) and mulch their roots with a layer of well-rotted compost or manure. There will still be a risk of losing some plants, especially if we have a very wet or cold winter, but they will stand a better chance than those growing in clay soils that hold on to water, increasing the chance…

WHETHER it involves coldframes, a greenhouse or the windowsill, many of us have plants we want to get through the winter. The most obvious threat is the cold. Frost can kill many of our plants (due to ice crystals bursting their tissues) so we have them under cover where frost can be kept at bay with insulation and maybe added warmth. This works fine, but there is one drawback. Being under cover can reduce already weak sunlight by much more. And our plants need as much light as possible, just to survive. This means all glass and plastic must be cleaned. Any dirt or smears will reduce light by about half, so clean thoroughly, and often. Ideally, get some LED growing lights to brighten up their day – these are…

When should I plant lily bulbs? Q Is now a good time to plant lily bulbs? If so, should I grow them in pots or in my borders? Anne Baker (via email) A Lilies are best planted in autumn, with bulbs placed at a depth of 2.5 times the height of the bulb. Ideal conditions are a south-facing, slightly sloping site in sun or partial shade. Any ordinary garden soil should be fine, but some lilies prefer alkaline soil and others struggle where there is lime in the soil. Lilies benefit if their soil is enriched with leafmould or well-rotted compost. Heavy clay soils should have coarse grit worked into the planting region. Overwintering shouldn’t be a problem, but they are quite loosely structured bulbs and if water sits in…

It’s time for our just-for-fun puzzle – AG’s Garden Wall. This wall comprises 12 bricks in three courses. Each brick has a different word, or phrase on it. The first brick in each course, with BLOCK capitals, is cemented in place and cannot be moved. Just rearrange all the other bricks, so that the four words in each course of bricks are linked. There are three different connections to look for, one for each course. You may find that some words have more than one connection to other courses, but there is just one correct answer. You’ll either find this puzzle fiendishly difficult, or incredibly easy! Hint: In one of the courses, the bricks are all cultivar names of cordylines. Answers: MUSCARI = Chionodoxa, Bluebell, Scilla(all are related spring bulbs…

WITH the average summer getting warmer and longer than in previous years, this is a good time to try growing plants that have long been regarded as difficult, such as grapes. Introduced by the Romans Not that growing grapes in the UK is new. It is thought the Romans introduced vines into Britain and by the time of the Domesday Book there were 42 recorded vineyards. When Henry VIII took the throne in 1509, there were more than 100 (of which 11 supplied the royal household), but production suffered in the 17th century when wet weather brought damaging fungal diseases. UK’s improved terroir Since then, production has gradually increased in the UK. Now, big French wine companies are buying and developing neglected fruit orchards in Kent and land along the…

NOBODY likes a name dropper. In fact, I said as much when I met HRH King Charles III in his garden at Highgrove in Gloucestershire. We were comparing notes on tackling bindweed. Having said, ‘You mustn’t give up’, he then told me the story of how he’d learnt to enjoy the physicality of ‘getting stuck in’ to gardening work. ‘Do that’, he chuckled, ‘and even pulling bindweed has its pleasures’. Wise words. That meeting came to mind recently while planting a large specimen tree, an activity of which the late Queen and our new King would approve. The tree was a catalpa, aka the Indian bean tree – a favourite of my late mother if not the go-to when planting for royalty. For that, an oak is an obvious choice…