IN THE GARDEN
With Tina Hughes
Time to lift the spirits
After the tempestuous and traumatic start to
this year the transition from late spring to early
summer has begun; with lengthening days
and perhaps rising temperatures to lift our
spirits. Whatever happens this year, nature will
continue on its own inscrutable course during
this the Chinese year of the Fire Horse, which
predicts conflict and a refusal to negotiate. So I
suspect my battle with the snails and slugs may
continue.
Love your lawn!
A well tended lawn is a thing of beauty, and
an English lawn is still the envy of the world.
Regular care is the key to maintaining a
dense and even sward. Fine lawns are best
cut with a cylinder mower; more blades
produce a finer cut while a rotary or hover
mower will make quick work of more
utilitarian lawns.
A bit on the side
Have you ever considered
growing your own watercress?
No, neither had I until recently,
then I discovered watercress does
not need to be grown in running
water and will flourish in a pot,
grow from seed, or root stems
from a fresh bunch. Select strong
shoots and stand in a little water
until rooted. Pot up and keep soil
constantly moist.
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Time is right
to transplant
primroses
Transplant primroses
and polyanthus grown in
pots to an out of the way
spot in the garden after
flowering.
Divide if necessary and
feed with bonemeal to
build them up for a good
display next year.