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| Image courtesy of National Gardening Bureau |
1. When sowing Peas into pots, half fill the pots with compost & water well. Fill up the pots with dry compost and sow the the seeds at half inch depth. The seeds should draw up enough water from the wet compost, and there is less chance of the seeds rotting. Other larger type seeds could also benefit from this method too.
2. Orange peelings (rinds) scattered around flower beds/planted areas may deter cats.
3. Leek rust is a fungal disease affecting Leeks, Garlic, Chives & Onions, accelerated by high Nitrogen & low potassium content in the soil. The effect shows as bright orange spots on leaves and can restrict growth if severe enough. Some control can be achieved by, not crowding plants, buying resistant varieties, disposing of affected leaves after harvesting.
4. Attract Tachinid flies into your garden/plot by planting, Aalyssum, Calendula, Dill & Fennel. These predatory flies will dispose of many garden pests for you.
5. If you have any plants that need thinning out do it when the soil is moist or water before thinning. Water again after thinning is completed. This method puts less strain on remaining plants.
6. Plant Lettuce between your Strawberries. The Lettuce will provide moist conditions which Strawberries will appreciate.
7. Fuchsias do not mind cool temperatures. They do not like very hot temperatures. Keep their soil moist but not wet. "Misting" the plant if the leaves are drooping is beneficial. Add fertilizer every couple of weeks whilst the plant is blooming.
8. If you are arranging cut flowers in vases which include Daffodils. Put the Daffodils into their own vase because they give off a compound which can be toxic to other plants.
9. Yep another Aphid spray. Chop up 3 to 5 Rhubarb leaves & add to a quart (U.S.A.) 1.136 liters (G.B.) of water & boil for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and add 2 DROPS of washing up liquid. Add the liquid to a spray bottle & spray the aphids. DO NOT USE THIS SPRAY ON EDIBLE PLANTS.
10. A few vegetables for sowing this month if weather conditions allow are: Runner beans, French beans, Beetroot, Broccoli, Calabrese, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chicory, Kale, Kohl-Rabi, Lettuce, Peas, Radish, Spring Onions, Swedes, Turnips. Sow Sweetcorn, Marrows, Pumpkins under cover.
That's an interesting tip about planting peas - I never really have problems with them - but broadbeans etc. seem to rot quickly
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine, I've had a few problems this year with Runner beans rotting off in pots so I kept the compost as dry as possible. Peas usually germinate quickly so good for experimenting on. I have noticed in the past with various seeds that they get less rot/mould if watered from underneath when the pots are stood in trays. Don't know if it's Osmosis, that's a bit technical for me. Old habits die hard (watering from above/around). Anyway soil/compost will only soak up so much water before it stops doing so, that's my theory anyway.
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