Residents in County Durham are being urged to get composting this autumn.

Durham County Council is launching an autumn composting campaign to encourage people to recycle their garden waste.

Rachel Gatland, waste strategy and policy officer at Durham County Council, said: “At this time of year people are thinking about tidying up the garden and it’s an ideal time to start composting.

“There’s plenty of garden waste available – such as spent bedding plants, grass cuttings, autumn leaves and prunings – which can all be recycled over the coming months to produce nutritious compost ready for use in the garden next spring.

“Adding waste to your compost during the cooler weather helps to keep the process going at a time when the decomposition will naturally slow down.”

A display containing information about home composting will go to 27 libraries throughout County Durham during the campaign, which runs until early November.

Durham County Council is giving people the chance to get a 220 litre compost bin at the reduced price of £15 as well as a further offer to get a second bin for £7.50, plus £5.49 for delivery. To order a bin people should contact 0844 571 444 or visit www.getcomposting.com

As we head towards colder spells there’s are few things that we can be doing in the garden to prepare for the next few months.

If you’ve been ‘growing your own’ now is the time to harvest your cabbages, spring onions, runner beans, maincrop potatoes ,onions and autumn cauliflowers, and while you’re at it why not pot up those chives, mint, basil and herbs.

When harvesting your potatoes it’s best to do it early in the day, wipe or rinse them off and id possible leave then to dry out in the sun before you store them. When storing always make sure they are in a cool dark place.

If you have a green house then this is also the time to be picking aubergines, cucumbers, tomatoes and chilli peppers.

It is also a good idea to keep feeding your tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers and keep a check on all the side shoots  on the tomatoes.

If you’re a fruit grower then you should be in constant action picking the apples, pears, plums (I’ve already managed to provide a few jars of home made plum jam…delicious), from the trees and blackberries and raspberries from the canes, along with strawberries from the beds.

It is also important to have a stroll among the brassicas to check for butterfly eggs and caterpillars which you will most likely find under the leaves, if you spot them just brush them off or squash them. You should also find that the troublesome pests in the green houses are declining in number but keep a watchfull eye as warm weather can speed their return if the weather is good.

Now is also a good time to plant and move conifers and evergreens, and plant spring flowering bulbs, however with hyacinths and tulips it is probably best to wait until October.

If you’re proud of your lush lawn then this is the time to prepare for the dry weather coming to an end by scarifying, spiking and applying an autumn feed, however if your garden is on top of clay, or sandy soils then it is also advisable to add a top dressing.

Much more information will be found in a four pack DVD which we have produced here at euVue which is shortly to be released in our  ’Grow Your Own’ series.

I’ll keep you informed of the release date, as it might make a great stocking filler for the ‘gardener’ in your life.

Over the months of winter we launched a campaign to feed our feathered friends during the time when their food was scarce.

Naturally the team at euVue participated and have continued to do so through the Spring, and fingers crossed leading into our coming Summer.

It is worth remembering that our varied varieties of birds do need feeding the year through if in the economic climate you can afford it.

There are however various local and high street outlets that do great range affordable bags of mealy worms, mixed seeds, fat balls and suet blocks which would not put a hole in your pocket.

Over the last month or so it seemed the peanut holder was the most popular feeder in our garden as it was the first to be emptied, and to an extent it was having to be filled up again more times than any of the other foods available.

THAT IS…until I got a shout from my wife earlier today to “take a look at the feeding station for the birds”.

There he was ‘cheeky monkey’ ..’ The Squirrel Thief of the Garden’, leaping, twisting, somersaulting, upside, downside, clinging and swaying until he managed to hang on to the peanut feeder and rattle through some of the contents thereof.

A quick run for the camera to capture a fascinating event of ingenuity and determination.

I’m now thinking of buying another feeder and marking it ‘Squirrell’ along side the others marked ‘Birds’.

Surely if he is clever enough to contort himself inside out for a peanut breakfast he can read aswell!

North East Gardener Paul Travis Anderson was forced to change hats when he gave ten different displays of flower arranging in hanging baskets at Dobbies, Birtley over the weekend.

Known throughout the North East for his Western styled or Australian bush type hat (and never photographed without it) he had to put it to one side when he gave the displays of his artistry with flowers and wear a gnome hat.

He was taking part in a Big Garden Party at the store which themed ‘Gnomeo and Juliet’ for all its visitors.

He is pictured (extreme left) with one of his displays with staff and some of the customers who also entered into the spirit of things after watching his demonstrations.

After a busy session he donned his normal headwear and related “There’s no place like gnome!”

Editorial comment (bearing in mind his artistry with flowers)….Gnomeo-care for art now!!!

Pyracatha

After flowering the base of the flowers begin to swell and over the summer months these begin to change colour, turning into stunning berries in red, orange or yellow in abundance depending on the variety.

The berries are important food source for blackbirds and thrushes from September to February.

When the plant is in bud or flower it is vital during dry spells that you water and feed every two weeks with a high potassium feed such as Chempac number 4, this will help promote growth and increase the berry production.

During the month of June some unwanted stray shoots may appear, these can be removed remembering not to cut back any parts of the plant bearing flowers as this will reduce the wonderful display of berries produced during the autumn and winter months.

Plant of the Month

Delphinium – A genus of 350 species of hardy and half hardy annuals and herbaceous perennials producing stunning flower spikes. There are many hybrids excellent for borders and patio containers with wonderful showy spires of white, purple and many shades of blue.

The perennial varieties are available in many good garden centres at this time of year.

Dobbies Garden centres have these stunning border perennials at the moment buy one get one free not to be sniffed at.

Pot grown perennial Delphiniums can be planted from March through to September in a rich fertile deep soil in a sunny location, remember with taller varieties it is important to stake the flower spikes to avoid wind damage.

These wonderful plants are not only eye catching adding height to borders and patios they  are a vital food source for the humble bumble bee providing nectar and pollen.

We should all plant more plants enjoy our gardens, patios, yards and open space and at the same time were giving nature a helping hand.

North East Gardener Paul Travis Anderson has over the last year advocated the advantages of ‘growing your own’ produce, even to the extent of offering advice on the subject in his DVD’s.

Like a carpenter would get the best tools for his trade it is essential that when working in the garden you treat yourself to a good range of products to make your gardening easier.

With that in mind he was up bright and early this morning to help launch Dobbies Garden World ‘Essentials Range’ at the Birtley Store near Chester-le Street who have produced their very own range of garden implements.

This ‘Essentials Range ‘offers various gardening ‘must haves’ from various size spades to rakes, forks and hand tools all at ‘down to earth’ prices.

The launch took place the length and breadth of the country in all their stores this morning and our picture shows Paul with staff employee Danni Rose.

Check out Paul’s ‘Grow Your Own Potatoes’ by logging on to www.growpotatoes.co.uk.

Why not treat your Valentine to the ‘essential’ gift……

Things to do in the garden in February

Lawns

The lawn care season starts this month. If the conditions are mild and the temperature starts to rise above freezing, worm casts will start to appear. These should be brushed away using a firm brush or a besom broom when the conditions are dry enough. In mild conditions the grass may even start to grow this month, but do not be tempted to mow your lawn before March as hard frosts are still likely and mowing could cause damage to the juvenile growth.

February is an excellent month for turfing and repairing any damaged lawn. If you are going to sow seed you can prepare the area this month but leave the sowing to mid March.

In the Greenhouse

This is a good time to clear out and clean the greenhouse if you missed the opportunity at the end of last season.  Strip out all old plant material; wash the glass, benches and shelves down with garden disinfectant e.g. Jeyes fluid or Armilatox, as well as any seed trays and pots to be reused.  There is nothing better than a good clean start to the season. After this the greenhouse should be smoke bombed with a sulphur candle – this will kill off any hibernating pests such as red spider mite.  Remember to block any holes or gaps in the greenhouse so the smoke is contained to get maximum affect. Sulphur candles can be obtained from any good garden centre.

This is the time to set away Dahlia tubers in the greenhouse – if you did not lift and over winter your tubers from last year you will be able to buy some from any good garden centre. The tubers can be potted up singularly or you can plant several in large trays or recycled wooden tomato boxes and I would recommend you use a peat free organic compost.  Once planted, the tubers will start to produce lots of shoots, some of which you can harvest as excellent cuttings. These will root and produce strong, healthy, vigorous plants and tubers that you can lift at the end of the season and use again and again.

The Borders

Remove any dead vegetation from over-wintering herbaceous plants ready for spring growth.  Fork lightly around the plant – this will allow oxygen to the roots and stimulate early growth.  This works particularly well with Hostas. The dead material that you have removed from the plants should be composted as it contains vital nutrients.  If you haven’t already got one, you should consider a compost bin as a vital component in any garden.  Not only is it good for your pocket, it is great for your plants and the environment.

If you did not have time or forgot to deadhead your Lavenders in the Autumn, don’t despair! You can prune off any dead heads and tidy the plants in February, but don’t be tempted to prune them hard as this may stimulate growth in mild conditions that can be nipped and damaged if there is a subsequent hard frost.

Prune back and shape any hardy evergreens that are over-grown, such as Prunus laurocerasus (Laurel).

Buddleia davidii can be kept to a manageable size by pruning in February. Cut all the previous years growth back to within three to four inches of the old wood this will stimulate strong vigorous erect stems that will produce lots of large flower clusters. Remember Buddleia play an important role in the garden attracting bees and butterflies,they are a vital food scource for many insects during the summer months.

As snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) appear in and around our country and hopefully in your garden, please remember don’t take them from the wild as you can buy these in pots at this time of year from any good garden centre, and at present the Birtley Dobbies Garden World has them in stock.

Grow Your Own

If you have a vegetable patch or an allotment and you are planning to grow cabbages, sprouts, broccoli, cauliflowers or any other brassicas, you may need to lime the area to raise the alkalinity as these vegetable do better in alkaline soil.  Before doing this I would recommend that you check the PH level of the soil (this is its acidity or alkalinity) with a soil testing kit, available from any good garden centres and very simple to use, and if adjustments are necessary to raise the PH above 7.5, then apply lime.

You do not need a vegetable patch to grown your own vegetables, fruit and herbs.  Many of these plants can be grow in small plots, raised beds or containers, taking up very little space in your garden.  Many benefits can be reaped from growing your own food  – nutritious and organic produce, exercise and well-being, family involvement, money saving.

You can grow your own potatoes at home by purchasing ‘seed potatoes’ which are available from garden centres from the end of January. Lay the seed potatoes out in wooden boxes or trays in a layer of peat free organic compost, approximately 2cm deep, and place in a light, frost-free location, e.g. in an unheated greenhouse, or shed with window.  The seed potatoes will produce thick, short shoots after 3-4 weeks, and this is know as ‘chitting’ and is vital for ‘earlies’ and some maincrop varieties.  Plant the chitted seed potatoes from mid March up to the beginning of April.  Remember potatoes can be grown not just in the ground, but also in potato bags, which can be purchased from a good garden centre. Harvest your early potato crop from the end of June and be the envy of your neighbours.  Recommended varieties:

First earlies         – Arran Pilot, Epicure, Pentland Javelin, Rocket, Maris Bard

Second earlies – Wilja, Estima, Maris Peer,Dobbies Asset

Maincrop         – Desiree, Majestic, Golden Wonder, Pink Fir Apple, King Edward.

It’s a topic that our north east gardener and horticulturist Paul Travis-Anderson has taken up several times at euvue’s garden section – and now we have gone one better.

We have produced a home gardening made easy DVD that will help you grow everyone’s favourite – the humble spud. Where on earth would we be without the super versatile potato – chipped, mashed, boiled, roasted or baked — and there’s nothing quite like the taste of home grown potatoes.

Paul’s DVD shows how to grow perfect potatoes from planting to pulling.  You can find out more and take a sneak preview of the DVD at  www.growpotatoes.co.uk

It’s time to get growing!

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced its top ten pest-related enquiries received by its Advisory Service.

This pest eats the foliage of various viburnums commonly grown in gardens, especially the evergreen shrub Viburnum tinus and the deciduous Viburnum opulus, also known as guelder rose or snowball bush.  Adult beetles cause some damage in late summer but it is the grub stage in April-May that can cause severe defoliation.

Principal RHS Entomologist, Andrew Halstead says, ‘’Viburnum beetles are in our top ten list most years but they do seem to have become more troublesome over the last decade.  The damage to evergreen viburnums is more apparent because it can be seen all year round.’’

Enquiries into two sap-sucking insects, cushion scale and horse chestnut scale, have increased. Cushion scale infests the underside of leaves on evergreen shrubs, such as camellia, rhododendron, holly and Trachelospermum. Horse chestnut scale is seen on the trunks of horse chestnut, lime, bay trees, sycamore and maples.

RHS members were also concerned about the glasshouse red spider mite, which sucks sap from a wide range of greenhouse and garden plants.  Andrew says ’’The relatively hot dry summer last year meant that red spider mite become more of a problem on outdoor plants. However, a benefit of the dry weather was that it also restricted the activities of slugs and snails which prefer wet, cool weather.’’

The number one plant in terms of pest enquiries in 2010 was grass. This was followed by viburnums, roses, apples, fuchsias, lilies, plums, maple, pears and bay. Lawns are usually the number one problem because they have a wide range of pest problems, although most of the damage is caused by chafer grubs.