Gardening Tips
Your fortnightly gardening tips for indoors and outdoors |
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Take cuttings of herbs and evergreens.
Shrubby herbs like sage, lavender and rosemary can be propagated by taking cuttings now.
This is also the ideal time to take cuttings of many evergreen shrubs such as choisya and
laurel. If you have a heated propagator, set it at a low temperature and place it in a
shaded spot in the greenhouse. Shade the propagator to keep the cuttings cool. The gentle
heat from the base will help rooting, but outside temperatures are sufficiently high for
most plants at this time of year. Use a gritty compost made of equal parts peat (or
substitute) and coarse grit or Perlite to root the cuttings. Spray them with water
regularly to prevent wilting before they have rooted. Once they are rooted, transfer them
into a cold frame. If you find cuttings difficult you can also layer stems now - pegging
shoots into the soil around the parent plant. This has the advantage of allowing the
parent plant to feed the 'cutting' until it has thoroughly rooted.
Onions. Sow Japanese onions this month for an early crop of tasty bulbs next year.
Chinese Vegetables. Ground cleared where broad beans or potatoes have grown can be sown
with fast-growing Chinese cabbages.
Water Plants. Thin out crowded water lillies and remove dead flowers. If beetles are
eating the leaves, wash them into the water with a hose for fish to eat. Pull out blanket
weed.
Courgettes. Keep all marrows and courgettes watered to maintain yields. Harvesting the
fruit when young will encourage the production of heavier crops.
Pumpkins. If you need large exhibition-size fruit, restrict the number of pumpkins on each
plant to just one or two, and pinch out the shoot tips to stop plants rambling over the
garden. Place the pumpkin on a layer of straw or a piece of cardboard to keep it clean and
prevent damage to the skin as it expands.
Powdery Mildew. Most gardeners assume that powdery mildew is spread by wet weather, but it
is a fungal disease that is most troublesome in dry weather or when plants are stressed
due to prolonged drought. Spray roses, Michaelmas daisies, sweet peas and grapes promptly
with a fungicide such as Nimrod-T or Bio Supercarb to prevent the disease getting out of
hand. |
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When your budgie sees you reading a newspaper, does he wonder why
you are staring at the carpet? |
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| Embarrassing
Stories |
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We were at a hospital event in the grounds of Clifton
House, Berkshire when a wasp was flying round my mothers head.
I went to slap it away from her and forgot that I had a shorthand notepad in my hand and
accidentally slapped her around the face with it.
The crowd stared at me not realising that it was not deliberate. I felt absolutely
dreadful. |
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Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavour and yet
washing-up liquid is made with real lemons? |
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READERS
LETTER |
I dont know if you can help me but I am trying to do a
family history project for a friend and I know his ancestors came from Sheringham. They
were called West and were a fishing family I think they owned and/or built boats. I found
a family I think may be connected on the 1881 census but the husband is missing off. I
would think he was at sea his name was William John West and I know he had a daughter
Alice. If you cannot help do you know anyone who might be able to thank you.
Diane Bore |
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Re: Memories of Old Sheringham, collected and
edited by John Lown.
The above book contains the recollections of 12 past and present residents of Sheringham,
ranging over almost 60 years from c. 1900 onwards. The book, priced £4.95, will be
launched at the Henry Ramey Upcher Lifeboat Shed on Saturday 30th August, 11:00am to
1:00pm. All are welcome.
As editor, John Lown will be on hand to sign any books purchased on the launch date. Books
will be available thereafter at Sheringham Museum and other local outlets. Copies can also
be ordered through Mary Thrower on 01263 825157. We anticipate that this book will be the
first in a series of "Sheringham Cameos" charting various aspects of local life.
Profits from this first title will be ploughed back into publishing further topics in our
unique history. We would also like to offer support to private individuals wishing to
record their own memories or photos on sheringham subjects. |
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