Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2014 | Page 58

IN THE GARDEN
With Tina Hughes

Every cloud...
Every cloud is said to have a silver lining,
I've been looking very hard to find them
over the last few months as the rain pours
down again. I consider myself lucky that I
only have a soggy and bedraggled garden
to deal with and I'm very grateful for that.
Weather predictions for this year? I think
it will break some records, for good or bad,
who can say?

Watch out!
The theft of the world's smallest and rarest water lily
Nymphaea thermarum from Kew Botanic Gardens
may seem an odd crime, but horticultural theft is rife.
Plants are being targeted in botanic gardens, parks,
and even sports pitches are not immune, with entire
beds or freshly laid lawns disappearing overnight. Other
vulnerable items are garden furniture and even hanging
baskets. If you love your garden, check what is covered
under your household insurance and remember to make
life as difficult as possible for would-be thieves.

Weevil work
Neatly nibbled edges on primula,
violas and pansies in containers
are a sign of vine weevils at work.
The larvae eat through the roots
safely hidden making the plants
topple over or wilt despite having
plenty of water. There are two
cures, empty the pots and feed the
creamy grubs to hungry birds or
water with a propitiatory chemical.

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Spring bulbs are
emerging now, use
twigs or canes to mark
them out to avoid the
sickening crunch as
you're working.

Resist the temptation
to sow too many
seeds too early,
especially if you're
growing them
indoors. Lack of
light and too much
heat makes seedlings
grow tall and prone
to damping off.