Amateur Gardening 15-Jan-2022

“What is the future for local horticultural societies, and what do they need to do to encourage more people to become involved? These questions are posed by Peter Seabrook on page 10. Peter is of a generation that grew up in a world of societies created by local people with shared interests – whether it be pigeon fanciers, photography enthusiasts or stamp collectors, it was all part of the fabric of British life. People with shared interests came together to help each other and enthuse about their hobbies. Many garden societies are still very active, and are populated with knowledgeable folk who would be delighted to impart their wisdom and help to new members. Why not check them out? You might find you have a lot of new friends.” Contact us: Subscriptions:…

THERE is always something to do in the garden, even in the middle of winter when everything appears quiet, subdued and in a state of dormancy. These are the weeks when you can start preparing for the year ahead, stocking up, sowing early seeds, enriching and warming the soil so you are all ready to go when temperatures rise and the garden starts to fill with life and colour again. This week I am thinking about the soil, warming it, weeding it and enriching it by digging in lots of well-rotted manure and homemade compost. However, all this organic material can increase the acidity of the soil so I am also going to be liming our raised beds where we grow the majority of our vegetables. This is because most veggies prefer a…

1 Even out any lumps and bumps in the lawn. Use a half-moon edging tool to cut around and lift an area of turf. Add or take away soil until you have created a level area, then replace the turf and water. The grasses will soon knit back together. 2 It’s time to start thinking about sowing and planting early crops so prepare your soil. Weed and enrich with well-rotted compost or manure then cover with cardboard, old compost bags, tunnel cloches or even old carpet to warm the soil and kill off weeds. 3 Continue to prune and trim back deciduous trees and shrubs to keep them healthy and productive. Remember to ‘look twice and cut once’ to avoid ruining their shape and wear long sleeves and sturdy gloves when tackling…

A SECOND AG columnist has been awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Garden Media Guild. Graham Rice was presented with the 2021 award during a video ceremony, and joins a pantheon of gardening figureheads including Alan Titchmarsh, Roy Lancaster, Jekka McVicar and Peter Seabrook, who won the very first lifetime accolade in 1993. Graham said: “It was a lovely surprise and great honour to find myself in such great company, including another AG writer, Peter Seabrook.” Graham’s rise to horticultural greatness has humble roots; he left school with one A’level and found a job mowing the grass in a hospital garden. Geoff Hamilton offered him a job “After a time I found myself becoming more and more interested in the plants I was mowing around,” said Graham, “so I started a City and…

1 Check tender plants and cuttings and remove dead and diseased leaves. Pinch out flower buds as they use up the plants’ vital energy. 2 Clean glass to let in maximum light and check for pests. Greenhouses offer shelter and food and there are fewer predators than in the garden. 3 Citrus trees need watering with rainwater when their compost feels dry. Feed them too, as they may well be fruiting and flowering. 4 Open doors and windows on mild days to let air circulate, which helps prevent fungal diseases on leaves and algae on damp compost. Step by step Small spaces 1 A mini greenhouse is an excellent solution when space is tight. Hardy plants and seedlings can be overwintered inside. 2 They are lightweight, so either tie them to a wall or fence in a…

IT may be cold outside, but we can start spicing things up undercover by sowing chillies this month and in February. The Hayes kitchen cabinet is never short of chillies and I enjoy growing them from scratch because there is a massive range of varieties available in garden centres and specialist sites online, so you can choose the velocity of heat you want. I also enjoy the challenge of germinating and nurturing chili plants because they can be tricky little blighters to get going. The main things essential for successful germination are steady, constant light and heat. You can use a heated propagator if you have one, otherwise use a light windowsill in a warm room. Germination times vary according to the variety, with ‘Habanero’ chillies taking up to 100 days after potting on…