New Year, New Additions ...

Good Morning!

This post is a little indulgent, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes to buy themselves treats once in a while!

Okay so the first thing I have to share is what I am also calling an 'investment' as it was a little pricey, but is something I will be using A LOT. 

I have bought the Double Layer, Double Size Vitopod Propagator.

Once fully assembled it will measure 55cm D x 1.1m L x 39cm H.

As you can probably guess you can get it in a smaller size that's a bit cheaper. 

(If you want to get one yourself pop me an e-mail and I'l let you know where you can buy it from with a 10% discount, which saved me just under £19)

 However I think that just like with Greenhouses, get the biggest size you can allow as you will soon fill it up! Not only can it be used for sowing seeds and propagation, it can also be used to over winter plants needing a certain temperature. Which will be cheaper than heating a full greenhouse! You can also buy additional layers if you need more height. The Propagator can be set at any temperature between 5c & 30c (ideal for germinating seeds needing high temps) and once it's up and running I'm sure you will be hearing a lot more about it! Fingers crossed you won't be too bored .....

Next up is a much cheaper addition than above, a plain notebook. 

I much prefer these to Diaries which allocate the same small amount of space to each date. Another advantage is that if you don't have anything to write for a few days it doesn't matter, you can just write the chosen date at the top of the page and having the pages blank allows for as much as space as you need and if you feel the need to, any sketches of ideas / plants that you see when out and about. Keeping a Garden Journal I think is a great way to record your success's and failures, notes on what you like or don't like, lists of seeds / plants that you have or want ... I could go on! 

It's also a great way to look back and see what was performing well at one time of year compared to the next, no matter what you think you can't remember everything lol I also prefer using a pencil to a pen as sometimes I write to quickly and get my words all jumbled up!

The New Year saw some new Gardening Books being added to my collection, if you are interested in a little light ready I would recommend any of these books. The ones on Veg & Herbs I think are also great for beginners as not only do they detail many variaties complete with botanical drawings, it also includes the history, cultivation, cooking tips and some recipes for each plant.

I just wish there were more hours in the day to get them all read! I still have some that I bought a few months before Christmas waiting to be opened ...

Finally I couldn't start the New Year off without some New Plants of course!

The Tree you can spy in the blow photograph is a Magnolia 'Black Tulip', found at a bargain price I've wanted one for ages and couldn't resist it.

There are also 3 Cornus plants, showing off their fantastic Winter Colour, 'Midwinter Fire' and 2 'Sibirica'. The pot that looks empty is hosting a Dicentra 'Aurora' which is a Herbaceous Perennial and will start to show itself in the Spring.

There were also some Hellebore Plug Plants that arrived as I'd been wanting some of the darker colours. I immediately potted them up into 9cm Pots and here's hoping they will grow into good strong plants! There are 3 'Red Lady' and 3 'Blue Metallic Lady' Lady Series. 

As you can spy they are currently sharing their spot with some rather confused Hosta's!

Whew! Well I hope I have inspired you to treat yourselves, even if it is just to a notebook!

Fingers crossed once the Propagator is all set up and the GH has been given a re-shuffle to fit it in I shall have some photo's to share.

I will also be back next week with my Garden Checklist Series and the Problem Area Series!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

New Year Blooms ...

Good Morning!

I hope you have all enjoyed the Christmas  / New Year Break, it's flown by!
Today I thought I would share a few pics of what is currently in flower in my garden, what with all the mild weather we've had this Winter certain plants are flowering earlier than usual ... or simply haven't stopped! 

Why not take a look around your own garden and see what you can spot.

The White Speckled Hellebore I bought last year from a local garden centre is almost in full flower, a few weeks ahead than it should be.

Whereas my Hellebore 'Pink Beauty' planted in the ground is still forming buds.

Although it's not technically in flower, the brightness of the foliage of my 'Leucothoe Fontanesiana Makijaz' always catches my eye when I walk past it, especially when it's just been raining!

My Alstroemeria Inca 'Ice Koice' hasn't stopped flowering although this is the only stem with flower buds left than I can see.

I took two cuttings from my Hebe 'Pearl of Paradise' the year before last which have grown into good size plants. The one that is still remaining in a pot has started to flower this week.

Flowers have also appeared on the Viburnum 'Tinus' which is right for this time of year, the following photograph is from the plant in the back garden with just a few flowers, it was also attacked by Viburnum Beetle in the Summer. However the one planted in the border at the front of the house, albeit a bit smaller is covered in flowers!

The Euphorbia in the GH border has an early flower spike whilst the one in a pot hasn't any but looks equally impressive when it's glistening with rain.

The Winter flowering Clematis 'Winter Beauty' growing against the shed is in it's first year of flower. I've been watching the flower buds grow over the past month or so and one of them finally bloomed yesterday!

My Purple Penstemon hasn't stopped flowering since last Summer.

Nor has the Climbing Rose 'Hiedelberg'

... and finally the Iris 'George' that I have under cover in the Greenhouse is showing signs of colour!

Thanks for stopping by!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Garden Checklist & Merry Christmas!

Good Morning!
Even though it's the Festive season there are still little things you can be doing in the garden.
Oh and I know this post is a day late ... let's blame it on the festivities lol

1. Planting - The ground is still warm due to the unseasonal weather so you still have chance to plant or relocate any shrubs, roses, trees and hedges. This is also a good chance to check any plants that are currently needing support if you are experiencing windy weather too!

2. Winter Pruning - If your looking for a few jobs to do this side of Christmas then giving your Acers, Birches and Vines a prune is a good thing to do! Pruning will allow you to to create shape and get rid of any dead bits.

3. Summer Flowering Bulbs  - I know that Summer is the last thing on everyone's minds with Christmas in just a few days, but why not start deciding which Summer flowering bulbs
(such as Dahlia's and Gladioli) that you'd like next year whilst the widest choice is available. 

Also if you haven't done so already, order next years seeds!
The sowing season will soon be upon us!

Dahlia 'Cafe Au Lait' from my garden in 2014

4. Lawns - Keep off your lawns in frost and wet weather as walking over the grass can damage the grass and result in unsightly patches.

5. Greenhouse - With the extremely mild weather, Botrytis (Grey Mould) can be more of a problem undercover in GH's that have insulation as ventilation isn't as good as when your GH isn't insulated. Make sure you check your plants daily, I have been finding newly affected plant material each time I take a look and remove any of the diseased material straight away. When watering make sure you do it sparingly and try not to catch any of the plants foliage to limit infection.

6. Climbing Plants - Plants such as Ivy, Virginia Creeper and other climbers that are growing on houses can have a little trim if they are approaching windows and guttering. Also check that Climbers elsewhere in the garden are tied into their supports.

7. Autumn / Winter Bedding - Check over any bedding that you have for signs that it is past it's best. Most of my Viola's were looking tired and had caught Black Spot this week so it was time to transfer them to the compost bin! Replace any tired plants with fresh bedding or winter flowering shrubs ... a perfect excuse for a trip to the garden centre! 

As mentioned in my last checklist Primroses can be instantly cheered up by removing fading / discoloured leaves and dead - heading. 

8. Clean Up - Finally if you don't have any of these jobs above to do, keep up with clearing any fallen leaves on lawns and ponds to reduce the spread of disease and give any dirty pots and trays a good clean, it's not the most exciting job but when it comes to sowing seeds and potting on next year good plant hygiene is a must for successful growing!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
For as long as you keep reading I shall be back with the Checklist & Problem Area posts next year along with some more snaps of my Garden, Plants and other Gardening topics next year ... 

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Problem Area - Plant Pests ... Lily Beetle!

Good Morning!

Welcome to my next post related to Problem Areas. Currently I am focusing on Pests!

What exactly is a Plant Pest? 

A Plant Pest gains it's nutritional requirements from the host plant it feeds upon. 

There are various ways which it can gain it's sustenance but broadly speaking it either eats or sucks a plant's sap.

It's a good idea to take note of a pests life cycle as they are more vulnerable at certain stages.

LILY BEETLE

As the name suggests these are common pests to Lillies and Fritillaries and are distinguishable by their red colouring. As you can see from my photo below the adults can be found on and near other plants but it's only on Lillies and Fritillaries that their eggs are laid and grubs develop upon.

A LITTLE BIOLOGY

Lily Beetles or Red Lily Beetles as there otherwise known overwinter as adults under the soil, leaves and other sheltered places. This can be anywhere and not always near the plants that they favour. The beetles emerge on sunny days during March / April time when they start to look for foliage on host plants. Adults lay their eggs on the underside of leaves from April to mid - summer which hatch and the larvae then feeds on the foliage. When fully fed the larvae will go under the soil to pupate and emerge as adults during the summer. There is only one generation per year so unlike other pests these new adults will not mate until the following year.

SYMPTOMS

Foliage on Lillies and Fritillaries is eaten away by the grubs hatched from eggs on the underside of leaves. The eggs are in clusters of orange/red and are sausage shaped, the larvae are about 6-8mm long and reddish brown, usually covered in their own black excrement. These grubs usually graze on the underside of leaves, resulting in dry white / brown patches and older grubs can devour whole leaves starting at the tips working back towards the stem.
Adults make rounded holes in the leaves when feeding and will also feed on petals & seed pods.
These attacks in Summer can lead to undersize bulbs developing which can hinder flowering the following year.

Lily Beetle Larvae Photo from Google.

Adult Lily Beetle Photo from Google.

CONTROL

If like me you like to garden Organically there are a few things you can do -

* Pick off and remove the pests as soon as you spot them.
If you only grow a few of these plants start inspecting them regularly from March onwards for any signs of the pest.
* Grow a variety that is claimed to be Lily Beetle tolerant -
Lillium (Lily 'Defender Pink').

There is also Chemical control available however please note that if you choose to use this please avoid spraying on plants in flower to avoid harming any innocent pollinating insects.
These products are also usually only beneficial on the young newly hatched larvae rather than the adults.

I hope you have found this interesting and helpful if any of you come across this particular pest!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Problem Area - Plant Pests ... Eelworms, Slugs & Snails!

Good Morning!

Welcome to my next post related to Problem Areas. Currently I am focusing on Pests!

What exactly is a Plant Pest? 

A Plant Pest gains it's nutritional requirements from the host plant it feeds upon. 

There are various ways which it can gain it's sustenance but broadly speaking it either eats or sucks a plant's sap.

It's a good idea to take note of a pests life cycle as they are more vulnerable at certain stages.

STEM / BULB EELWORMS

These can be particularly problematic to the roots, tubers, bulbs leaves or stems of a plant.
This is most common between the months of March - May.
One of the tell tale signs is that the plant growth is stunted and foliage has a chlorotic (yellow/green) appearance that may appear wilted / droopy.
Narcissus bulbs are particularly susceptible and may be come soft when infected.
These can be hard to find as they live inside the tissue of the plants / bulbs and can only be seen with a microscope. However if you cut a bulb in half and can see tell tale signs of brown rings without any sings of maggots then you can see that this pest is present.
To get rid of this disease you need to dig up and dispose of any affected bulbs and any others that may not even seem affected in a 1m radius as the eelworms can spread via leaf contact or the soil if left untreated.

Photo from RHS

CONTROL

If like me you like to garden Organically there are a few things you can do -

* Always ensure that you buy good quality, firm bulbs and check them all before planting.

SLUGS & SNAILS

Pretty much everyone, gardener or not can identify these two pests in their gardens. They can cause damage all year round to plants but they are most problematic in the Springtime to seedlings and emerging young growth.

Photo's from RHS

A LITTLE BIOLOGY

Slugs are soft bodied molluscs that mostly feed at night and leave tell-tale slime trails which can alert you to where they may be. They can vary in size and colour and they live on or just below the soil surface. Unlike snails, slugs remain active throughout the year, even more so in milder, wet conditions and reproduction happens mostly in the Spring and Autumn.

Snails are easy to spot because of their shells, are less common on acid soils and can move more freely over dry terrain than slugs.
As I mentioned above Snails are dormant in late Autumn / Winter time often clustering together in protected areas. Reproduction also occurs mostly in the Spring and Autumn.

SYMPTOMS

A great deal of damage can be caused by these pests as they will eat the soft tissues of leaves, stems and roots and can climb up to a fair height above ground level. Most of the damage will be done at night, especially to seedlings and young plants.
The slime they produce can reduce the quality of your crops and lead to fungus / rot.

Photo from Google.

CONTROL

If like me you like to garden Organically there are a few things you can do -

* Pick off and remove the pests after nightfall when they are easier to find.

* Ensuring that valuable or young plants have physical barrier.
* Grow on any young plants so that they have good strong, healthy growth before planting out.
* Turn over any hiding places for predators (e.g. birds) to find.
* Growing Plants known to be less likely to be eaten, there are quite a few varieties that can be found over on the RHS website.
* Biological control can be gained against slugs by the use of Nematodes.

There is also Chemical control available.

I hope you have found this interesting and helpful if any of you come across this particular pest!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Garden Checklist ...

Good Morning!
Along with the few things I mentioned over the past couple of weeks, there are a couple of other bits and bobs you can be getting on with in the garden too.

1. Primroses - If like me, you have Primroses in your garden you may have noticed that in the past week or so the leaves are looking a little worse for wear. Give your Primroses a tidy up by removing any yellowing / damaged leaves along with faded flower heads. You can also divide Primroses if they are becoming congested. This job will only take half an hour or so and the finished look is much more appealing to look at!
The same can also be done to Hellebores if any of the leaves are showing signs of Black spot.

2. Winter Bedding - If you have any pots of Winter Bedding and the temperatures are set to get really cold, move the pots to a sheltered position until the temperatures improve.
We've had lows down to 1c at the start of last week and highs of 11c last weekend!
You can also use Cloches to protect any Winter Veg that you may be growing.

3. Asparagus  - If you are growing Asparagus in your garden now is the time to cut down the plants, the same can be done for the tops of Jerusalem Artichokes.

4. Greenhouse - Over in the Greenhouse along with the usual checking over of plants for signs of pests & diseases, you can bring pots of bulbs under cover to force them to produce early blooms, resulting in some Winter colour for your GH or inside your home. 

5. Houseplants - Finally if you have any Houseplants on your windowsills and temperatures are set to get low over night, move them out of the window in the evening to help keep them at a more suitable temperature.

Thanks for stopping by, don't forget you can find all the previous Checklists on the page tab above.

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX

Problem Area - Plant Pests ... Rabbits!

Good Morning!

Welcome to my next post related to Problem Areas. Currently I am focusing on Pests!

What exactly is a Plant Pest? 

A Plant Pest gains it's nutritional requirements from the host plant it feeds upon. 

There are various ways which it can gain it's sustenance but broadly speaking it either eats or sucks a plant's sap.

It's a good idea to take note of a pests life cycle as they are more vulnerable at certain stages.

RABBITS

To the non gardener these may not seem that problematic, however those that do garden know how much damage these balls of fluff can cause!

You may think that Rabbits only cause damage in gardens out in the countryside but 2 years ago my garden was visited by a rabbit and I live in a cul-de-sac situated within a town.

A LITTLE BIOLOGY 

The main breeding season for Rabbits is between January - May but they can be produced throughout the year. An average litter consists of between 3 - 6 young. Females can become pregnant again after just 1 day from giving birth and produce up to 5 litters a year. 

Rabbits often live together in colonies known as warrens. 

SYMPTOMS

Damage from this pest to our plants can be done to a wide range of plants. One of the most common signs that you have a problem with Rabbits is the damage they can cause to young Tree's, such as ring barking (see photo below). It's also worth noting that plants that aren't susceptible to Rabbits at maturity can be when they are at a young growing stage and eaten away.

Photo's from Google & RHS.

CONTROL

If like me you like to garden Organically there are a few things you can do -

* Young Tree's can be protected by using Tree Guards / Tree Shelters.

* Ensuring that valuable or young plants have physical barrier.

* Growing Plants known to be 'Rabbit Proof' such as -
Monksood - Acontium carmichaelii 'Kelmescott'
Lily - of - the - Valley - Convallaria majalis
 Day Lily - Hemerocallis atrina
Michaelmas Daisy - Aster amellus 'King George'
                                     Aster cordifolius 'Silver Spray'
                                    Aster novi-belgii 'Royal Ruby'
Crane's Bills - Geranium himalayense
                                           Geranium endressi 'Wargrave Pink'
Japanese Anemone - Anemone hupehensis var. japonica

There is also Chemical control available in the form a repellent spray, which may need to be re-applied after rainfall.

I hope you have found this interesting and helpful if any of you come across this particular pest!

HAPPY GROWING!

XXX