Category: The Village Gardener

 

The snow and cold weather of early March brought Redwings and Fieldfares to the Grange Park and village gardens, we don't see them every year, only when conditions get too difficult further north. The Redwing is the UK's smallest true thrush ( I just read that ). The poor conditions held back Spring, but nature soon catches up. The snow brought out the best in people with neighbours helping the less able. Its rare to have had these condition in this area,but when we do a lot of people step up to the plate.

RHS Top Jobs for April

1. As ever keep weeds under control

2. Protect fruit blossom from frost

3. Tie in rambling and climbing roses

4. Sow hardy annual and wild flower seeds outside

5. Start to feed citrus plants

6. Increase water to house plants

7. Feed shrubs and roses.

8. Sow new lawns and repair bare patches

9. Prune fig trees

10. Divide bamboo and water lilies

Apple trees are so vulnerable at this time of year, frost can ruin the blossom. To prevent this, cover with fleece if any frost is forecast. It's the time of year to start feeding most plants. Please read instructions on packaging as over feeding can have adverse effects especially on roses and can make them leggy and with not enough strength in stems to hold up blooms. A general fertiliser on beds and borders will always make for a better show, just be careful not to get any on new growth as this can cause burning. Remove the fading flowers and seed pods of Daffodils and Tulips but don't remove leaves as they feed the bulb for next years blooms. Keep up with the dead heading of pansies and primulas. Self-seeded forget-me-nots while looking good can over power beds and stunt growth of less vigorous plants. Pull up the plants that are smothering the border. Once you have forget-me-nots in the garden they will be hard to get rid of so don't worry about pulling a few up. Plant supports where needed should be put up now before plants start to grow.Either a few sticks with string tied between them or those frames you can buy. These supports will be hidden as plants grow up amongst them. Don't delay on this as it's difficult to support the plants when in full bloom.

The 13th of April sees the start of the RHS Spring show in Cardiff. It's on from Friday to Sunday. I have usually gone on the Sunday myself as there are some good bargains to be had on the last day. It’s a good day out to see show gardens and get all the expert advice you may need.

Take care and happy gardening

 

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Are we all raring to go as Spring really starts to kick in? The Winter was so wet and, on most days, too miserable to be bothered doing anything in the garden. Feeding the birds is probably the most I did. I was disappointed by the variety of birds at our feeders on the three days of the Big Garden Birdwatch, unlike Mrs Hoy who ticked loads of boxes. Next year I'm spending the weekend at The Wildfowl Trust Slimbridge to even things up, not that i'm a poor loser. The forced bulbs that we have in the house should be planted in the garden. Do not cut the leaves back but do take care of the root system. Buying snowdrops in the green at this time of year is the best way of naturalising them in to the garden.

The R H S things to do list for March –

1. Protect new spring shoots from wind, frost and pests.

2. Plant shallots, onion sets and new potatoes.

3. Plant Summer flowering bulbs.

4. Lift and divide large clumps of perennials.

5. Top dress containers with new compost.

6. Mow lawns on dry days.

7. Cut back Dogwood and Willow.

8. Hoe and mulch weeds to keep under control early.

9. Start feeding the fish and using the pond fountain.

10. Prune bush and climbing Roses.

While top dressing containers with new compost, look out for the Vine Weevil larvae and, if found, treat early with a pesticide. Don't delay on this or the plant will be ruined. Trim Winter flowering Heathers with shears as the flowers start to fade as this will stop them getting leggy and promote strong new growth. Cut off old leaves of Hellebores to expose the flowers. You can divide Hostas now before they come into leaf and Primulas after they have flowered. Dahlia tubers can be potted up now and, when the new shoots reach three to four inches, cuttings can be a taken. Dip the end in rooting powder and pot up and seal in a plastic bag until roots start to show. New plants grown this way will give you more Dahlias and a better display. Sweet pea seeds can be planted directly into the soil at this time of year, which will prolong the flowering season, along with the the plants you have grown on under glass. Hardy annuals can be sown in pots to give great colour to the garden and they are good for filling in any gaps you may have. The Village Show in September is a fantastic annual event in Wenvoe with some outstanding exhibits and is well attended. To keep this show running it needs some volunteers so if you could help in any way it will be very much appreciated.

Garden centres will be tempting us with all their new season young plants which are very hard to resist. Caution is needed as these plants have been grown in a strictly controlled environment so care will be needed when you get them home, especially from the cold and wind. When buying your compost check the bags are not too light as this will mean the compost is dry. It is quite difficult to get it back to the right moisture content and will mean a lot more work before you can use it. If you're buying mulch then the opposite is true – the dryer it is the easier it is to spread and it will go further.

 

Take care and happy gardening

 

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Daffodil bulbs are well on their way, pigeons are nesting, Easter eggs in shops, moles are looking for a mate and leaving small piles of earth in gardens where there not wanted, spring must be close.It is only February I know but loads to be getting on with. If you are ordering plants or seeds from catalogues you need to get in quickly as some favourites will soon be out of stock. Planning ahead, are you going to enter the village show later in the year, if so then some special seed will give an advantage. Seed from specialist growers does cost more but we're not entering to come last are we?

Winter flowering shrubs that have that have stopped producing flowers should be cut back now as the more new growth they put on throughout the coming year the better the display.Winter flowering Jasmine is one that benefits from early pruning.

Lily bulbs can be potted up now and place Dahlia tubers in a light warm place to encourage them to sprout before planting out, be careful not to let them dry out. Root cuttings of perennial Poppies can be taken. At the end of the month cut back the stems of potted fuchsias that are under cover and put in a warm place to promote new growth. Keep dead heading winter pansies, they will go on for a long while yet.

Hardy annuals can be sown in pots and will be good for filling in gaps throughout the year if you stagger the sowing, also wildlife love them. A tip from the RHS, when weeds start to grow then its time to sow hardy annuals. Sweet peas sown now and put in a cold frame will prolong the season along with the autumn sown ones that can now be potted up.

The lawn may not be looking at its best this time of year but edging will need to be done and grass cut if you can possibly get on to it. If you delay the first cut to long it will become difficult to manage. Keep sweeping those worm casts away. Turf can be laid now if ground conditions allow.

We are fortunate to live in what the Police say is a low crime area but we must not become complacent. Don't leave machinery and tools on view, put a good lock on garden buildings. It only takes a minute for a thief to relieve you of anything not locked up. Shed alarms are a good cheap deterrent.

This is the time of year when we might be thinking of some major changes to the outside area. If your going to need contractors to help with the work now is the time as their books are not as full this time of year. Get at the very least two quotes and do not be pressured into any contract. To find good people can be challenging, the best way is to speak to people who have had work done. Please do not accept offers from people who come knocking at your door, you may get lucky but newspapers are full of stories about work not completed and over charging.

Need to know more about gardening? then the environment team is for you. They meet on Mondays usually twice a month and help keep Wenvoe looking good. The team includes amongst others Trevor Ieuin and Brian, these gardeners have loads of knowledge and its free. Take care and happy gardening

 

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Happy new year everyone.

I hope you're enjoying all the gardening goodies you were given at Christmas as, once people know that you're interested in horticulture, it's guaranteed that future presents will include items connected to the garden.

It might be difficult to get motivated when you're still fighting your way through sweets and the extras you bought or baked just in case a bus stopped outside your house over the New Year. As we know time waits for no one and there is plenty to be getting on with. The R H S has a top ten of things to do in January:-

1. Recycle your old xmas tree by shredding it to use as mulch

2. Clean pots and greenhouse ready for spring.

3. Dig over any vacant plots.

4. Disperse worm casts on lawn.

5. Inspect stored dahlia and begonia tubers for drying out and rot.

6. prune apple and pear trees.

7. Start forcing rhubarb, covering with a large upturned pot.

8. Plan your vegetable crop rotation for the coming season.

9. Keep putting out food and water for the birds.

10. If you have a peach or nectarine plant now is is the time to cover it with polythene to protect against peach leaf curl.

Broad beans can be sown now in pots and put in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.

Sow lettuce, brassicas, spinach and salad onions indoors for extra early crops. Onion seed can be planted if you have a heated propagator.

Trees and shrubs can still be moved now as long as the ground is not frozen. Bare root plants can still be put in now. With the weather so changeable please make sure that any stakes and ties are as they should be. Wind rock can ruin shrubs and trees. If we have snow we must not let it build up on shrubs if we can help it as branches can break which will invariably spoil the shape of the plant. Wisteria can be trimmed now, cut back to 2 or 3 buds but avoid cutting any flower buds. January is the last chance to sow seeds of native trees and shrubs that need frost to germinate.

Summer bulbs and seed potatoes will be available to purchase from the middle of the month, just be careful and keep them safe from frosts. Cut some of the old leaves off hellebores to expose the flowers.

Having watched Blue Planet 2 and seen the devastation caused by plastic on marine life, I will be making it my duty to always have a bag on me when I visit a garden centre as we do when supermarket shopping. It’s just a pity that all pots and trays are plastic. It comes down to economics and unless governments pass legislation this will continue, but anything we can do will help.

Have a happy New Year. Happy gardening.

 

 

A huge thank you to everyone who gave to Children in Need through The Village Gardener at the end of October. Some of you may not have realised, but your tips and donations raised £100. Brilliant.

There is an unusual vegetable taking over the garden at Judy Holmes house. A three year old cabbage which was grown from seed. Judy accidentally mowed the top off it and thought she would use it for cooking. She put it in water to keep it fresh and roots grew from the side. This remarkable cabbage is still providing for Judy with enough left to feed any insects that need sustenance. On the subject of greens, don't forget to put your sprouts on to boil or they will never be of the right consistency for Christmas dinner. The 1st of December should give them enough time.

As I’m writing this the weather is still unseasonably warm, which means that grass is still growing and will need cutting if dry enough to get on to, but keep the cut high. Slugs are still in abundance so a recommendation from the intrepid explorer, Joyce Hoy, will help. Joyce says to spray the rims of your terracotta pots with WD40, if pots are plastic soak a piece of string in WD40 and tie around the rim.

We still have time to plant bulbs especially tulips and then look forward to lovely colour in spring. There should be some bargains to be had now as shops and garden centres try to clear stock. If you have spare space, why not try some hardwood cuttings of deciduous trees and shrubs. Willow is good to try. Using this year’s growth, cut pieces into 6'' lengths. Cut on an angle above a bud so that water runs off and then cut again straight across just below a pair of buds. Plant outside to about 2/3rds of its length. Tree cuttings can take until next autumn to root. The same techniques can be used on honeysuckle, vines and fruit bushes.

Cold weather will be with us at some point so check your outside taps are covered. The RSPB say that the need to provide water for birds is just as important at this time of year as ponds and puddles are frozen. Their tips include putting a light ball in the birdbath as the slightest breeze will move it and this will help stop water freezing. Another good tip is lining the bath with polythene, so you can lift out the ice.

The BBCs Gardeners World series ended last month and I know how much you enjoy the programme with Monty Don. It is a great programme and we always watch it. That said two items really wound me up. The first was when presenter Adam Frost was mulching a huge border, on which weed control fabric had been put down, with Grow Sure Smart Ground Cover. This mulch is £9.90 a bag and i promise you all it is not worth it, any mulch will do the job. The second was towards the end of the series. Monty Don was shown raking leaves off a lawn then spreading them on a path only to run a mower over them to break them down to use as mulch. Just run the mower over the grass on a higher setting, with the grass box on and all the leaves are picked up and mulched at the same time. Roll on the next series.

Leading up to Christmas the one plant most of us buy or are given will be poinsettias. To care for these, keep on a warm window sill, only water when top of compost feels dry then give it a good soaking and feed once a week.

 

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas, take care and happy gardening.

 

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It's probably going to be cold, wet and miserable out in the garden but never mind. It is November after all and there's still plenty of work to be done. If you haven't already done so, empty any pots that contained summer bedding and put spent compost on to borders as a mulch. Alternatively, you can mix some wild flower seed in with the compost and spread it on an unused or unmanageable part of your plot and then just wait for nature to take its course.

At this time of year, it's good to take the tops off roses to prevent wind rock, the movement from which can damage them, sometimes beyond repair. I have said before about keeping the base of roses clear of fallen leaves and at this time of year it is very important so as not to harbour any diseases. Also keep lawns and ponds clear of any leaves.

We still have time to plant out winter bedding to keep colour in the garden for as long as possible. Now is a good time to plant up pots of Tulips, making sure that you plant them deep enough; most of us don't. You can then plant pansies or primula on top to prolong the display. My personal favourites to go with tulips are wallflowers.

Make sure you raise your containers onto pot feet or just a few small stones to avoid water logging. Tulips are especially vulnerable in very wet conditions.

Now is the time of year to move shrubs growing in unsuitable places. Only move shrubs that are of a manageable size where you can get the whole root ball out. The more root you leave behind the less chance of it surviving. Ordered bare root trees and shrubs need to be planted as soon as possible before they dry out. The R H S recommend now as a good time to plant roses but advise against planting in an area where roses were previously grown otherwise new introductions may suffer from replant diseases (rose sickness).

High winds can cause a lot of damage in the garden if steps are not taken to combat the problem. Newly planted shrubs and trees should be securely staked. Climbers, if needs be, should be trimmed back and extra ties put on.

Hardwood cuttings of ornamental shrubs can be taken now; Cornus and Hydrangea are easy to do. I just cut pieces about 40cm (16ins) and stick them in the ground next to the plant i cut them from. My reasoning for this approach is if the soil is ok for the mother plant its should be ok for the cuttings, though I'm not sure if you would get that advice from the RHS.

I hope to see you at the Wenvoe Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday 26 November where there will be a couple of the local gardening experts who have given me some advice this year. If you want to ask them anything I will point them out to you so they can share the blame for this column.

Take care and happy gardening

 

The Village Show on 9th sept was a great advertisement for village life. A big thank you to the scouts for putting on a great day. I now know from personal experience what it takes to compete with the likes of Annie Bennett, Gordon Jones and the colossus that is Phil Morant. I spoke to a lot of people who wished they had entered in more categories plus others who hadn't entered this year but wished they had. So next year it could be standing room only. Let’s hope so and let’s give the organisers our support. One thing that I still cannot fathom is the outcome of my Tesco potatoes entry. Three specimens – all of them nearly exactly the same size – came nowhere. I believe I was robbed and the judges didn't even wear masks. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

All plants given to the environment group have now been planted on the village green so thanks to all who donated. Most of the gaps have now been filled. When travelling around the village it is good to see the effort that a lot of villagers make to keep Wenvoe clean and tidy.

This year seems to have been particularly bad for a lot of lawns, especially on slopes. I believe the wet summer has had a detrimental effect by washing any goodness out the soil. Having spoken to green keepers and trawled google for advice to share, the consensus is that lime is the answer and should be applied in the Autumn on a dry but not frosty day. The lawn will then have all winter to absorb the lime. Dealing with moss in lawns is time consuming and, if you get a contractor in, very expensive. While looking for moss killer at garden centres I came across a lawn treatment that claims you don't have to rake out the moss after treatment. It’s called Mo Bacter and was trialled on BBCs Beechgrove Garden series with outstanding reviews. They have it at the local garden centre. I don't know how good it is but I will be giving it a try in the Spring after liming. If your planning on laying new turf the Royal Horticultural Society reckon now is a good time and they should know.

Things to get done in October. Gardening at this time can seem like a lot of effort for little return, but work done now is well worth it such as clearing borders, cutting back and planting for next year with cheap perennials from garden centres. I have picked up really good plants at this time of year, a lot of which can be split, giving you multiple plants. October advice from the Eden Project Cornwall includes the following. 1. Divide herbaceous perennials. 2. Plant out spring flowers such as wallflowers. 3. Plant prepared hyacinths in vases for scent and colour in the house. 4. This is the time of year to cover up your garden furniture and clean out greenhouses, ponds and water butts.

On the veg patch, now is the time to divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants. Planting out spring cabbage is another job to be done now. Tip from Jeff Dowling at the allotment. If you're going to use farmyard or horse manure, get it

quite fresh and cover it with a sheet till it rots down so that the goodness is kept in. Well rotted manure that has been left to the elements will have had all nutrients washed out of it before you use it.

I hope that you are enjoying the produce at this time of year. There is nothing quite like eating fruit and veg in season, whether it's consumed fresh or made into jams, pickles, tarts and wine. Don't forget to plant garlic now, pointy end up. Quite apt really with Halloween imminent.

Happy gardening.

 

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The Village Show Sept 9th at the Community centre is a must for all villagers. You will see a range of talents from the folk of this parish,its quite unbelievable what some of these people can do. Please go along, these local events take a lot of organisation and foot fall is so important.

At the end of July the allotment holders held a Gardeners Question Time in the Wenvoe Arms. The panel of Joyce, Phil, Trevor and a representative from Pughs Garden Centre answered any queries and Phil brought along samples of produce from his plot. It was entertaining and long may it continue.

We will soon be thinking of Autumn Weed and Feed for our lawns. Don't use any of the product you have been using in the spring or summer as this will have to much nitrogen and will encourage top growth which is not good for this time of year. When applying don't put any more on the grass than the instructions say. If using a spreader check the flow rate. I am as guilty as others for not checking or watering well enough if we have a dry spell after distribution.

If anyone has a potted shrub they no longer want then the environment team would be interested. We will gladly collect and use them to fill in gaps around village.

When the team met on the 7th August Ian Moody put us to work on the village green. While working next to the war memorial two boys of about 10 were talking to each other. One said 'I think that’s a memorial to World War 2' then, on inspection, he said 'no it's not, it's to World War 1.' The other boy then asked 'where's the one for World War 3?'

There will be a lot of shrubs to be cut back at this time of year but be careful as shrubs that flower in spring should be left alone for now. These should be cut back after they flower in the Spring, just after flowering. If you have the patience and room, scoop up autumn leaves, dampen if dry and put into bin bags. Make a couple of holes for aeration and put them away (maybe behind a garden shed) until next autumn. It might seem hard to believe but you will

then have the very best compost for bulbs. When you consider the cost of compost to buy its a good option.

Taking cuttings at this time of year can be very productive and fuschias are very reliable, Take about 4 to 5 ins of new growth, cut just below a joint and leave the top two leaves in place. Dip in rooting compound and pot up. Rose cuttings are a bit hit and miss but they are great if they take. Just cut about 10 to 12 ins of new growth and trim the bottom at a bud. Take an inch off the top, strip the leaves and push into soil to half its length. It will take a long while before it takes but is fantastic if it does.

Going into the Autumn, fences should be checked for loose or rotting panels and posts. A quick fix now will save being out there in high winds, grappling with panels that think they ought to be anywhere other than in your garden.

September is harvest time. Allotments, fruit gardens and veg patches are at their best. There is so much to be had by sharing the spoils with good friends and neighbours. It is one of lifes great pleasures.

Happy gardening

 

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Summer holidays are here and the children are off school – playing football on your lawn and trying not to let the ball flatten your flowers, bless em. Before going away, water well and rely on inclement weather or good friends to water for you. We are advised to save water but water butts are usually empty at this time of year. Grey water is an option, it just takes a bit more effort. A water timer is effective and especially so in the green house. The cheaper ones that are available on line work really well. With ground drying out, mulching will help retain moisture in the soil.

Dry spells in summer do no favours for our lawns so raise the cutting height and allow clippings to stay on the grass. You may have to cut more often but this will help. Try not to use lawn weedkillers at this time, they are a lot more effective in the autumn when it's damper.

We went to Duffryn gardens a couple of weeks ago to see what has been done to the borders at the front of the house. They had been turned into veg patches to show what was done during World War 1. They were really worth seeing as were the rest or the gardens. Staying on the good garden theme, Sylvia’s bungalow on Nant Isaf, as you turn into the village by the Walston Castle, would gladden anyones heart. Not so easy to see are Gerry Crump's and Ieuan Williams' gardens in Rectory Close. They may not thank me for drawing attention to them but I'll take the risk. Wherever you go in Wenvoe at this time of year there are good gardens; the roses at Mr & Mrs Cottle's on Gwenfo Drive or Mr Miller’s well laid out front garden in Grange Close to name just a couple.

It has been a very good year for the roses and ours have given their best show to date. Just keep dead heading and watch out for disease but there is no need to feed them anymore. Make sure you keep the ground beneath roses clear of any fallen leaves as these can harbour disease.

When deadheading in our garden we've been bitten by an irritating little insect which we now know to be a Flower Bug. It's only 4mm in length and in some places has been used to control greenfly and

red spider mite since the nineties. It lives in shrubs at this time of year, is oval in shape and has reflective wings. The bite stings then itches and can be slow to heal.

The R H S has some tips for fruit growers in August. Apple trees that are trained or cordoned should be pruned now to allow light to ripen fruit and for good cropping next year. With summer fruiting raspberries, the canes that bore fruit this year should be cut down to ground level and 6-8 of the new growth canes per plant kept for next year’s fruit. Pot up strawberry runners now for new plants next year. Wisteria needs to be pruned now, it’s usually done February time and then again in Summer.

If some of your favourite plants are producing seed it’s a good idea to collect them. They may not be exactly the same next year, as often happens, but it's well worth trying.

You need to be ordering your spring flowering bulbs now to make sure you have the best choice. If you want Hyacinths for Christmas you will have to order prepared bulbs. Sorry to mention Christmas in August but that’s gardening for you.

Happy gardening.

 

 

 

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I hope all is well with your gardens, it's a busy time as always. Dead heading, regular feeding, weeding and watering are a must to prolong the flowering season. Cut back your herbaceous geraniums and you should get another show of flowers this summer. When watering the tomato plants, try to keep the leaves dry. Wet or damp leaves can promote fungus growth. If this is the case then spraying with fungicide is necessary. Any shrubs that have flowered can be trimmed back now, but please look up on line or in a book to see how much you can safely take off, it's very difficult to stick the bits back on if you've been over enthusiastic. Runner beans are going to get black fly at sometime and the best way of dealing with this is to rub it off with your fingers – a bit yuck but it works.

Clare Ellis and a few volunteers from the Library had a plant sale at the end of May to raise funds. The plants on sale were great value. Gordon Jones brought brilliant plants along, better than you would find in most Garden centres.

This is the time of year when roses are in their pomp, all the effort in early spring will have paid off. Just keep dead heading and feed again now, also watch out for pests and disease.

While working in Greave Close I met up with Gwyndaf Breese. He was attending a garden next to his own and showed me the work he has done and is in the process of doing. The garden is in a lot of shade but this cottage garden shows that this man knows his plants. Gwyndaf's front garden has a lot of wood sculpture in it, demonstrating his love of all things wooden. There is a lot I don't know about this man and his talents so I will be taking a note pad the next time I see him. A bit of science now . Clive Phillips of Burdens Lane has spent most of his life in horticulture. Clive told me that a lot of us are missing a trick and not checking the PH of the soil. The alkaline or acidity of a substance is measured in PH units with a scale running from 0–14. A PH of 7 is neutral, lower numbers are acidic whilst above 7 is alkaline. Most plants like a PH of 6.5. The way to achieve this is with lime and a well balanced fertiliser. Blueberry,Azalias and Rhododendrons insist on a PH of 4.5 to 5.5. The Wenvoe area sits on limestone so you would think there would be enough lime in the soil, but increasingly wet winters and improved drainage means that a lot of nutrients get washed away.

On the 11th June I went with Glen to Llysworney near Cowbridge where six gardens were open under the National Garden Scheme. It was a really good day out, great gardens and lovely people. The criteria is strict but nothing to get in the way of some of the gardens in Wenvoe. There must be some who would love to show off their gardens and raise money for good causes.

This month the allotment holders held an informal meeting at the Wenvoe Arms as a get together and to exchange views. Quite a lot was discussed and plans are afoot to put together a newsletter to keep people informed of progress. Anything that promotes gardening has to be a good thing. Happy gardening

 

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