Green Fingers I Wish

That`s The End Of Mowing The Lawn Till Next Spring

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:43:00 +0000

At last it looks like I can say goodbye to the gardener calling every two weeks to mow the lawn. He put a note through the door to say that due to the frost, wet weather and shorter days (due to the clocks going back) he`d not be coming now till next spring, around March. Walking over very wet grass with a mower probably doesn`t do the grass a lot of good anyway.

That`s when it all starts up again then. Though, if there is a reasonable amount of sunshine-highly unlikely-he would happily come in between time to cut the grass if I called him up.

Man Dies From Rabies Caught From Bat Bite

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:37:00 +0000

A 43-year-old man in Indiana died recently of rabies caught by a bat bite. It`s the state`s first death from rabies since 2006.

It seems that although the man hadn`t any obvious wounds or marks, the tests clearly showed it was a bat that infected him.

Let`s not run away with the idea though that all or even most bats in the wild are rabid. In fact it`s fewer than one percent, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People can be exposed to bats in places like attics, on porches or in parks. Along with bats, animals such as raccoons, foxes and skunks and even dogs can transmit rabies.

The key is to get shots to prevent the disease once a person thinks he may have been bitten by a rabid animal, and in the case of a bat they should always seek medical advice just in case.

Remember in some places bats are a protected species. In the UK, for instance, UK law prevents bats from the following-

Deliberately capture, injure or kill a bat
Intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat in its roost or deliberately disturb a group of bats
Damage or destroy a bat roosting place (even if bats are not occupying the roost at the time)
Possess or advertise/sell/exchange a bat (dead or alive) or any part of a bat
Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to a bat roost

You should never try to pick a bat up, it could be carrying disease.

It`s good to remember that bats do a lot of good for the eco-system, eating insects which are bad for crops for example.

Weeds on Bare Patches of Soil

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:07:00 +0000

You'll never be able to completely stop weeds from popping up, but there are ways to ensure they have less places in which to grow.

Bare patches of soil are ideal for growing weeds. Creating a well-stocked border is less likely to support a thriving population of these pesky plants. If you have gaps in your borders, plug them by planting ground covering plants.

Some ways to prevent weeds` growth in bare soil are-

Use mulch with a thick, 8cm (3in), layer of bark chippings, well-rotted manure or leaf mould in the spring. This prevents weeds from growing,and another advantage is it helps to retain moisture in the soil.

For larger areas you could even cover with plastic, landscape material or even old carpet to prevent weeds from germinating.

Garden Waste Collections - Behind The Times

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:07:00 +0000

Garden waste collection rounds have now rolled into action across South Somerset - pleasing the first of over one thousand new customers who have signed up to the expanded service.

The offer of fortnightly garden waste collections - now available to households in even the most rural areas of the district - proved popular with residents who had previously relied on travelling to household waste recycling centres and arranging private collections.

The wider service was announced by Somerset Waste Partnership in August.

South Somerset District Council subscribed nearly 1,200 new customers within the first five weeks and has contacted hundreds of people already on the waiting list.

Is this a joke? They`ve been doing this in many parts of the country for years - and for FREE!

Japanese Maples Under Threat

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:17:00 +0000

Global warming will threaten London's wildlife habitats by increasing the risk of flooding in the winter and drought in the summer, according to a new report.

Despite being one of the world's largest and most densely populated cities, the capital boasts a wide diversity of habitats that are hugely important to the wildlife that depend on them.

The London Climate Change Partnership has warned that a global increase in temperature could expose London's scarce wetland areas to drought and fire in the summer months.

Assessment of almost half of the 16,000 specimens of different trees at the Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, by the Forestry Commission has found almost a quarter do not seem to be tolerant of drought.

The site's Japanese maples - the largest collection of the tree in Britain - are particularly vulnerable to the hotter drier summers and more frequent and severe droughts expected with a changing climate, the commission's research agency Forest Research found.

The maples are at risk because of their shallow roots and a preference to be in soils which retains water.

The problem faced by the 350 types of Japanese maple at the arboretum - and those popular in gardens and parks - is not of immediate concern, but could become an issue in the coming decades.

Free Basil Seeds

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:53:00 +0000

This is a good way to encourage people to start growing their own.

"To receive your fantastic free packet of Grow Your Own Seeds simply fill out your details in the form provided below. We are giving you the chance to get your hands on some free basil seeds to plant and enjoy the produce!

These free seeds are brought to you by Northamptonshire Let Yourself Grow, each packet comes with full planting and harvesting instructions to help you make the most of your free seeds."

Lawns Growing Well

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:37:00 +0000

The grass is still growing strong as the combination of sun (albeit not that much of it), and rain create great conditions for growth.

I suspect that this time next month the grass will be at a virtual standstill, and the mower can be put away until next spring.

Watch, my prediction will be bound to be wrong!

Fruit Bat Killed by Squirrel

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:25:00 +0000

It was a weird story of how a squirrel killed a fruit bat recently.

The bizarre incident was witnessed by zoologist Mr William Stanley, while he was conducting fieldwork in the forests of Tanzania.

"No-one has recorded this type of behaviour or incident before," says Mr Stanley, who saw the squirrel try to kill the bat in a tree above his head."

It`s unlikely the squirrel killed the bat for food, as they aren`t meat eaters.

One possibility is that the bat got too close to the squirrel`s food, or it`s youngsters.

Or of course the squirrel might have been a bit crazy!

Wet Weather Helps Late-Season Insects Thrive

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:37:00 +0000

September is often a glorious for butterflies and dragonflies. Many survive well into October and November. But, it`s the wet weather that really helps them. That shouldn`t be a problem this year, we are seeing our fair share of rain, which means many of the late-season insects,(and fungi), will thrive.

Bananas in Spain Are Not As Nice

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 09:07:00 +0000

It doesn`t matter how many times I buy bananas when I travel to Spain somehow I just can not find any that taste anywhere near as nice as those back home.

I think it has to come down to the conditions in which they are kept in Spain, being normally much hotter that it is in the UK. They go black quicker, and don`t taste anything like they should.

Fruit is usually of a pretty high standard in Spain, but from now I`ll give bananas a miss.

Gardeners Using Manure Tainted by Herbicide

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:31:00 +0000

A recent spate of gardening disasters across the U.K. has been blamed on people being unaware that they are using manure containing aminopyralid, a weed killer used by farmers to combat docks, nettles and thistles.

Grass, silage and hay that has been treated with the herbicide is then eaten by cattle and passes through them onto bedding hay that is then made into manure to be used on Britain’s gardens. The company responsible for producing the weed killer, Dow AgroSciences, warned that any manure that was produced by animals having eaten treated grass should not then be used on sensitive crops. The problem is that those who spray the crops may not be responsible for collecting the manure and so it is very difficult to trace manure that might be affected.

The herbicide is now no longer used but old stocks of manure may still contain traces.

RSPB Says Big Increase In Killings of Birds

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:15:00 +0000

The RSPB received over 1,200 reports of shooting, poisoning, trapping and disturbance of rare birds like golden eagles and hen harriers.

This figure is the second highest ever recorded by the charity. Many more are believed to have gone undetected and unreported.

Crimes against birds of prey aren`t recorded though for some peculiar reason, so don`t get included in national statistics.

It seems the Home Ofiice do not take crimes against birds all that seriously, so it appears that the police are less interested in tackling crime for which there are no figures.

Meanwhile we are in danger of seeing some species of birds completely wiped out, which can`t be allowed to happen.

Eden Gardening Course Makes a Return

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:35:00 +0000

The Eden Project's Practical Horticulture program to encourage gardeners is returning to Cornwall. This will be its second year.

In conjunction with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the program will run for nine months from September 19 through to June 19 2010.

The courses will take place at the project's main site and at their Watering Lane nursery near Pentewan.

Wild Rabbits causing Problems

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:53:00 +0000

Wild rabbits appear to be making nuisances of themselves from one corner of the world over to the other side.

Apparently they are causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to playing fields at some sporting facilities in Australia. The home of the St George Illawarra Dragons is among a number of sporting facilities that have fallen victim to repeated attacks by rabbits - and we're not talking the South Sydney variety.

Wild herds of rabbits, which have made a home in bitou bush along the coast in Wollongong, have caused thousands of dollars worth of damage to fields of the city's sporting organisations - and the holes they dig have created an injury risk for many of our top sportspeople.

And in the UK farmers are complaining about the damage wild rabbits are doing to their land. Tighter restrictions now mean that rabbits aren`t being culled as they once were, and are breeding quickly.

Plea to Support Bee Population

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:20:00 +0000

I`ve seen reports that suggest that honey bees will be completely wiped out in ten years if we do not do something to stop it happening.

Put simply, we just can not afford to allow that to happen. It has been said that the value of commercial crops which benefit from bee pollination is estimated at £100 million to £200 million a year. Honey is worth some £10 million to £30 million.

So, householders are being asked to support more bees by placing beehies in their gardens, balconies, and anywhere else they can thrive. We can also help to support wild bee species such as bumblebees by planting insect-friendly plants in our gardens.

Tatton Park Has Lots to See

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:22:00 +0000

My daughter is off to look around Tatton Park in Knutsford for the day shortly. Tatton Park is a wonderul park with gardens from around the world, one of the best know being the Japanese Garden.

The Park has a Mansion, gardens, farm, Old Hall, and 1,000 acre deer park. Organisers put on over one hundred events each year.

The award winning estate gets over 750,000 visits annually.

Just one event running at the moment is the Tuesday June 30th to Sunday August 16th -

Textile Exhibition in the Mansion

This event is to celebrate the Three Shires Festival with this special exhibition featuring costumes, furnishings and historic clothing.

Every year Tatton puts on a concert of classical music, which includes a dazzling display of fireworks. The one this year was on last night (Sat.August 1st). I must say though that the weather wasn`t good here in the north west of England. The concert is open air, so very open to the elements, with the stage in front, and the big lake to the left of the audience.

The theme this year it was the turn of the Halle Orchestra, based in Manchester to perform in front of what promised to be a sell out audience. Although I didn`t go last night, whenever I have been in the past these concerts have always delivered, and the grounds of Tatton park are an ideal setting to have a picnic while watching the show, and the firewaork display. I only hope the rainy weather didn`t spoil it this year.

Ladybirds Cover Farm

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 07:50:00 +0000

The red and black insect army literally covers "every possible inch" of the 20-acre site.

They sit three or four deep on walls, tree trunks and machinery and look like a "crawling, wriggling carpet" on the grass.

Experts say the ladybirds are feasting on the natural 'larder' of aphids or greenfly, a plant-eating insect, that descended on the farm last month.

The site owners grow thousands of square metres of 'eco-roofing' made of sedum, a cactus-like grass - the aphid's favourite food.

Ladybirds thrive on greenfly and as the sedum flourishes in summer, the numbers of aphids increase tenfold - attracting even larger numbers of the hungry bug.

Staff at Blackdown Horticultural Consultants say vast numbers of ladybirds arrive at the farm in Combe Saint Nicholas, near Chard in Somerset, every July and August.

But this year has seen an explosion in aphid numbers - and the biggest swarm of ladybirds for 10 years.

Insects Control Japanese Knotweed

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:16:00 +0000

With its clusters of pretty white flowers, Japanese knotweed was first introduced as an ornamental plant. But with no natural enemies in the UK it soon raged out of control, wiping out surrounding vegetation and threatening wildlife. The fast-growing plant can grow up to 13 feet tall and is so strong it can break through paving stones and tarmac.

It has been estimated that to remove all knotweed from the UK would cost several billion pounds.

However scientists have identified an insect - the psyllid called Aphalara itadori - that keeps the superweed under control in its native Japan by feeding on the leaves and stunting growth.

Now the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh Assembly have launched a consultation on releasing the insect in Britain.

RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park Opens Today

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:10:00 +0000

The RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park in Knutsford, Cheshire, opens to members today, with a record number of attractions. The 5 day event is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors

The annual event, which is known as the Chelsea of the north, has become a huge draw over the years, at one time Prince Charles attended it.

Grow-your-own products will be featured prominently as gardeners look to growing more of their own food.

This year over 600 businesses will be trading at this year’s event. This year’s show, which has themes of fun, fruit and future designs, sees the launch of a new garden category for ‘visionary gardens’ which focus on sustainable garden methods.

Ways to Water the Garden Economically

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Watering the garden isn`t the greatest of climate change sins, but, emissions from our water use can all add up:

One litre of mains water emits about 0.75g of CO2

Installing a rainwater butt can save 0.6kg of CO2 per year - equivalent to a three mile drive in your car - and up to £200 off your water bills

Watering with a sprinkler uses 138 times more water than watering with an old-fashioned watering can, while a garden hose can use almost as much water in an hour as an average family of four uses in a day

Digging in a low volume irrigation system with a timer in a large garden can cut water use by half, and the time you spend watering the garden by about 90 per cent

Children Get in Free at Flower Show

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:44:00 +0000

I like the idea which is new this year of allowing children in free to this year's Hampton Court Flower Show.

The idea is to get children more interested in gardening, particularly planting. This ties in nicely with the `Let Children Grow` gardening campaign.

The numbers of children attending the show are expected to be well up this year on last year`s 5,000 child visitors. Events such as making musical instruments out of vegetables to a competition to build a Tudor scarecrow are being held.

A knock on hoped for effect of involving children in gardening is to encourage more to be aware of cooking and eating healthy food, rather than junk food.

When to Water Your Garden?

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:24:00 +0000

At this time of year it`s important to make sure our gardens are properly cared for with enough moisture. This is especially true if we have young plants that need that bit of extra care and attention.

As far as watering goes, water in the early morning, or at night, but not during the hottest periods. That way it gives more time for the plants and lawn to soak up the water before it has chance to evaporate.

Water the area of the plant just above the roots. That way the part of the plant gets it where it is most needed.

It`s usually best to water plants not too frequently, but when they are done, they should be watered throughly. That will help the roots over time to seek out any moisture in the soil.

Water costs money. Therefore why not use what one of my neighbours calls "God`s water" and use a water barrel.

A barrel can save literally hundreds of liters of rainwater in wet periods. Then, when the weather turns dry that water can be used when your garden needs it most.

Queen`s New Vegetable Garden

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:18:00 +0000

Here's the new vegetable garden at Buckingham Palace. It`s roughly 11 metres by 4 metres, and contains such favourites as planted with tomatoes, runner beans, onions, leeks and carrots.

It's the first time vegetables have been grown at Buckingham Palace since the second World War.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Michelle Obama, who is well into ecogardening, is doing more to use the scraps from the kitchen to turn into compost. The First Lady`s vegetable garden is apparently thriving.

Pretty soon we might see a competition between Washington and London to see who grows the best cucumbers!

Is Your Garden Adequately Covered?

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:55:00 +0000

Apparently the average garden contains items worth more than £1,000, made up of £700 worth of plants, trees, bushes and shrubs, and over £800 on what is in our garden sheds. And if you take into account BBQ equipment, gazebos, and patio equipment, the value rises even more.

Yet, if you check your insurance policy, chances are that you are only covered for something like £500 for loss to outdoor items. You could have a shortfall of many hundreds-if not thousands-of pounds.

There are some policies which cover up to £2,000, but not many. Even if you are covered for a decent amount, say several thousands of pounds, you might still find that there are individual ceilings placed on items.

Expensive barbecue sets, or patio furniture might not fully be covered. Ride-on lawnmowers can be quite expensive too. What about bicycles, they should be covered either by your current policy, but if not add them as specific items, or take out a separate policy to cover them. There are certain things which ought to be covered by your buildings policy, including such items as fences, patios, conservatories, and outbuildings. So, before dashing off to top up your insurance you need to be clear on what is and isn't covered by your existing insurance policy.

As far as what is stored inside sheds and other outbuildings are concerned, security is obviously a factor. Insurers will usually insist on a certain level of security, specifying the standard of locks they require to be fitted, and so on. Remember too, that when it is warm outside it can be tempting to leave your items outdoors overnight, or when you go out. Get them stolen and again chances are you are not covered.

If you really want to make sure you have adequate insurance cover for all your gardening items you may want to consider getting a quote from a specialist provider.

Large Blue Butterfly Makes Return

noreply@blogger.com (dex) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:18:00 +0000

The large blue butterfly has made an astonishing comeback following a huge re-introduction effort, scientists say.

The large blue butterfly was declared extinct in Britain in 1979, but in the 1980s large blues were imported from Sweden by conservationists.

It seems that now there are around 20,000 in the UK, in 30 colonies.

It just shows that when conservationists put their minds to it amazing things can be achieved.