Last updated 20 January 2012

© Queens Park Residents 2011

Hosted by Namehog

Feeding tomatoes with liquid feed can scorch the leaves. To avoid this happening pour from the watering can using a piece of 1.25 inch drain pipe as a funnel directing the feed straight to the base of the plant, away from the leaves.

To prevent peas being eaten by pests, fill a short length of guttering with compost and sow peas along the length as normal. Hang guttering out of reach of pests. When seedlings are 1"-2" tall, dig a trench in the garden and transfer whole length containing compost and seedlings into this trench.

Put broken egg shells into a watering can, fill with water and leave overnight. This will extract the nutrients making an excellent and cheap plant feed.

Bake egg shells in an oven to harden and then place around plants to prevent slugs damaging them. The slugs cannot get over the hardened shells.

Fill a small tub (low enough for the slugs to climb into) with beer and place it next to the plants. Alternatively the container can be buried in the soil.

I have found the ultimate eco-friendly answer to slug and snail infestation in my garden. 100% safe for pets and garden wildlife. It is called SLUG-X and can be purchased online at http://www.thetinpot.co.uk .

To get rid of ants, locate their hill and sprinkle a liberal amount of talc powder around and on it. The ants dislike the talc and will move their colony several feet. Just continue sprinkling with the talc until the ants are moved to where you want them. Boiling water poured into/onto the nest also works quite well.

When planting morning glory seeds, the package directions indicate that you need to nick each one of the seeds to enhance germination. A quick and easy way to accomplish this is with a pair of fingernail clippers. Then place the seeds on a lightly dampened paper towel, fold the towel over and place inside a plastic zipper bag for a day or so before planting.

The cheapest way to make an arc in your garden is to buy some plastic water piping then drive four star pickets into the ground the with of the wire then slip the piping over the star pickets then attach the wire and you have got an arc you can grow grapes passionfruit climbing beans etc on it good luck. ]

Anonymous contributor

Plastic plant labels that have been written on using permanent ink can be brought back to new if they are soaked in a 75% bleach solution for a couple of weeks. Make sure they are thoroughly washed before using again. Alternatively, use a pencil to mark labels, these can then be used again by simply using a rubber (eraser) to remove the name.

Labels made from coloured plastic bottles can be used for labelling different types of plants e.g. blue = hardy, yellow = trailers etc.

If you run out of plant labels or money to buy more, use your old ice cream carton or margarine tubs they work just as well.

To stop fencing boards splitting when driving nails, cut the head of a nail of the same size to that being used, put the nail in an electric drill and drill the boards where the nails are to be positioned, hammer in your nails, no more split timber.

I think you could also use a drill bit of a size slightly smaller than the nail and I have also been told that if you blunt the point of the nail being used by scraping on sandpaper or cement this prevents wood splitting.

Slice your apples crosswise to evaluate pollination. There are five seed pockets with a potential of two seeds in each. If there are 8-10 fully developed seeds you are in good shape. If less, then the apple is not all it could be and you need to work on better pollination. Either you need more bees or a pollenizer variety.

For more interesting facts on pollination visit their site at http://www.pollinator.com

When growing sweet peas from seed, two-thirds fill pot with compost and water well, top up with dry compost and plant seed at about 1/2 inch beneath surface of compost. This way the seed with draw up as much water as required and will not rot away.

To prevent slugs getting to plants in containers, smear outside of container with petroleum jelly or WD40.

Grow varieties of plants that require little or no staking and plant closely so they support each other.

Spray weeds which are well established in a rock garden and paving with a glyphosate herbicide. This kills the entire plant without having to dig them out.

Mix perlite in with the potting compost in patio planters and hanging baskets. It absorbs moisture when water is plentiful and releases it when the compost is dry.

When planting container grown plants, disturb the roots as little as possible so that they continue to benefit from the compost they are grown in. Water as usual after planting.

When planting bare rooted trees and shrubs, spread the roots out like an umbrella, twisted roots stunt growth. As you cover the roots with soil shake the plant from time to time to allow the soil to drop down well between them. Water well after planting.

Put support stakes in before you plant a new tree to avoid the possibility of damaging the roots.

A circle of twigs about 500mm high (20ins), provides a better support for border plants than a single stake, and is less obtrusive.

Save wooden ice cream spatulas, lolly sticks or plastic knives to use as garden labels. Write on them with a ball point pen or waterproof marker.

An old hot water bottle filled sparingly with foam rubber chips is a handy kneeling pad for long gardening jobs.

If tender buds or shoots become frozen, thaw them out slowly by spraying with cold water before the sun shines, otherwise they may get scorched.

To avoid tender plants getting damaged by frost, listen to the weather forecast and protect delicate plants with newspaper or old clothes.

To prevent snow damaging small conifers, when it is forecast tie the branches to the trunk with string, however, do not leave them tied for more than a day or two.

As long as you don't mind how they look, old car tyres make a good temporary cold frames for new seedlings. Sow the seeds inside the tyre and place a piece of glass or clear plastic on top. The rubber absorbs the heat during the day and releases it over night.

If you find handles of tools, mowers and shears uncomfortable to hold try buying a foam bicycle handlebar grip. Slip the grips over the tool handles, using washing up liquid or Vaseline if it proves difficult. If the handle in question is continuous try slitting the grip horizontally to allow it to be slipped over the handle. Pipe insulating foam may also work.

Always buy strong, good quality tools and look after them well. If you can afford it buy stainless steel as they will last a lifetime and are easier to clean. When choosing tools pick them up and try out for balance and weight.

Before filling a strawberry barrel with compost stand a piece of drainpipe or cardboard tube upright in the centre and fill with pebbles. As you fill with compost gradually remove the tube releasing the pebbles. This will act as a central drainage system preventing the soil from becoming waterlogged.

Hanging baskets need watering twice a day; to make this easier consider attaching them to a pulley system available from garden centres.

Water hanging baskets by putting ice cubes on the top, moisture is slowly released as the ice cubes melt. Ensure these do not touch the plants as this may cause damage.

If your hose springs a leak it can be temporarily repaired by inserting a cocktail stick into the hole. Snap the stick off as close to the hose as possible and wrap around with insulating tape or waterproof tape (if available). This should extend by about 2" each side of the hole. As the wood absorbs the water it will expand and seal the hole.

An old wheel rim makes an ideal storage place for a garden hose when not in use. This can be hung on a garage or shed wall.

An easy to use tool which helps remove the strain of bending

Visit

The

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3 year Crop Rotation Planner

Get the most out of your allotment or vegetable patch with this handy planner...

January - Week 1

Topdress lawns. Read the new catalogues. Renew grease bands. Prune outdoor vines. Dog vegetable garden. Make hot beds, Prepare for chrysanthemum cuttings. Stake pot-grown bulbs.

January - Week 2

Repair lawns. Lay turf. Prepare ground for outdoor chrysanthemums. Force chicory and rhubarb. Sprout seed potatoes. Sow vegetables in a heated frame. Clean greenhouse. Take chrysanthemum cuttings. Remove faded flowers from azaleas.

January - Week 3

Order herbaceous perennials. Tie in raspberry canes, Remove canker wounds. Feed blackcurrants. Prune gooseberries. Sow vegetables under cloches. Start to force pot grown strawberries. Sow onions under glass. Prune fuchsias, Topdress vine borders.

January - Week 4

Replant herbaceous borders. Protect sweet peas. Prune ornamental trees. Protect primulas from birds. Prune newly planted fruit bushes. Protect peas and beans from mice. Make first greenhouse sowings. Repot fuchsias. Take cuttings of perpetual-flowering carnations.

February - Week 1

Prune winter-flowering shrubs. Make and plant rock gardens. Prune cobnuts. Feed fruit trees. Prepare asparagus beds. Sow vegetables under cloches. Sow peas and beans in pots. Start dahlia tubers. Prune and repot pelargoniums

February - Week 2

Feed herbaceous plants. Plant lilies. Protect gooseberry bushes. Complete the planting of fruit trees and bushes. Topdress asparagus beds. Plant shallots. Feed spring cabbages. Divide herbs. Sow sweet peas and asparagus fern. Pot up indoor chrysanthemums.

February - Week 3

Plant lilies-of-the-valley. Replace old shrubs. Prune buddleias. Protect apricot and peach flowers. Prune autumn fruiting raspberries. Transplant autumn sown onions. Sow peas. Lime vegetable garden. Take fuchsia and verbena cuttings. Sow lupins and delphiniums

February - Week 4

Prune Willows and dogwoods. Spray Roses for blackspot. Prune fig trees. Sow Brussels sprouts, cabbages, leeks, lettuces and radishes. Start Achimes. Sow Gloxinias and tuberous begonias. Reduce vine shoots. Feed schizanthus

March - Week 1

Divide snowdrops. Plant herbaceous perennials and hardy cyclamen. Pollinate peach and apricot trees. Sow onions, parsnips and broad beans. Stop schizanthus and fuchsias. Take dahlia cuttings. Start begonia and gloxinia tubers. Take outdoor chrysanthemem cuttings.

March - Week 2

Sow hardy annuals. Prune large flowered clematis. Feed lawns. Feed raspberries. Prepare celery trenches. Sow summer and autumn cabbages. Feed pot-grown hydrangeas. Stop mid-season chrysanthemums. Sow tomatoes.

March - Week 3

Prune, spray and feed roses. Plant gladiolus corms. Remove protection from alpines. Mulch wall-trained fruit. Spray black currants. Sow leeks and carrots. Feed winter lettuces. Feed annuals in pots. Divide ferns. Pot up outdoor chrysanthemum cuttings

March - Week 4

Sow pansies and violas. Prune early flowering shrubs. Sow sweet peas. Graft fruit trees. Spray pears against scab. Plant potatoes and mint. Sow peas and parsnips. Plant onion sets. Sow greenhouse primulas. Take coleus cuttings. Sow half-hardy annuals

April - Week 1

Take cuttings of herbaceous perennials. Mow lawns. Spray peaches against aphids. Mulch raspberries, blackberries and loganberries. Plant asparagus. Plant maincrop potatoes. Sow parsley. Complete sowing half-hardy annuals. Sow tomatoes, celeriac and celery.

April - Week 2

Sow new lawns. Plant sweet peas and biennials. Disbud peaches and apricots. Spray gooseberries and pears. Earth up peas and broad beans. Sow melons and cucumbers. Tie in vine rods.

April - Week 3

Prepare ground for outdoor chrysanthemums. Remove dead heads from daffodils, pansies and violas. Layer rhododendrons and azaleas. Spray raspberries and apples. Stake pot-grown lilies. Side-shoot tomatoes

April - Week 4

Plant dahlia tubers, penstemons and half-hardy calceolarias. Spot treat lawns. Plant water lilies. Protect Strawberries. Spray plums. Disbud peaches. Earth up early potatoes. Sow sweet corn and marrows. Prick out half-hardy annuals and tomatoes. Stop vines.

May - Week 1

Stake Herbaceous perennials. Train sweet peas. Plant outdoor chrysanthemums. Tie in pea shoots. Examine fruit-tree grafts. Plant out Brussels Sprouts. Sow sweet corn, endive and chicory. Harden off bedding plants. Plant tomatoes in greenhouse border.

May - Week 2

Sow half-hardy annuals. Stop outdoor chrysanthemums. Train rambler roses. Water newly planted trees and shrubs. Spray blackcurrants and strawberries. Thin apricots. Plant melons. Hoe onions. Sow French and runner beans. Shade greenhouse.

May - Week 3

Remove dead head from bulbs. Spray roses. Apply weedkiller to lawns. Prick out polyanthus. Bark ring apple trees. Water wall-trained fruit. Prepare frames for cucumbers. Sow cinerarias and calceolarias. Rest cyclamen corms. Pot out begonias and gloxinias.

May - Week 4

Prepare for summer bedding. Lift and divide primulas. Prepare ground for dahlia cuttings. Thin raspberry canes. Spray apple trees. Net strawberries. Plat runner beans and cucumbers. Prepare ground for marrows. Stake and feed verbenas. Take pelargonium cuttings.

June - Week 1

Water bedding plants. Stake herbaceous plants and lilies. Spray roses. Sow biennials. Plant marrows, celery and celeriac. Spray raspberries. Pick gooseberries. Spray cherries. Sow turnips. Plant outdoor tomatoes. Rest Arum lilies. Start poinsettias

June - Week 2

Cut grass edges. Trim alpines. Lift tulips. Tie in blackberries and loganberries. Train cordon gooseberries. Stop and topdress cucumbers. Stop broad beans.Lift early potatoes. Thin grapes. Stop mid-season chrysanthemums. Stake tuberous begonias and achimenes

June - Week 3

Dead head lupins and delphiniums. Disbud roses. Prick out aubretias and alyssums. Sow winter-flowering pansies. Stop outdoor vines.Thin apricots. Protect cherries from birds. Plant leeks and cabbages. Pick tomatoes regularly. Spray carnations.

June - Week 4

Divide irises. Take cuttings of alpines. Feed lawns.Prune early flowering shrubs. Thin overcrowded fruit trees. Pick raspberries. Reduce strawberry runners. Protect cauliflower curds. Spray French and Runner beans. Plunge azaleas outside. Fumigate against whitefly.

July Week 1

Feed roses and chrysanthemums, Clip privet hedges. Take pink pipings. Divide hardy primulas. Peg down strawberry runners. Water celery. Spray potatoes. Prune hydrangeas. Tie in chrysanthemums. Disbud tuberous begonias. Take leaf cuttings of begonias

July Week 2

Layer border carnations. Take begonia cuttings. Feed and mulch dahlias. Thin overcrowded fruit trees. Thin outdoor grapes and spray against mildew. Sow endive, spinach beet and seakale beet. Take cuttings of real pelargoniums. Pot up cinerarias.

July Week 3

Prick out biennials. Thin dahlias. Bud roses. Spray gooseberries. Prune and feed blackcurrants. Protect morello cherries from birds. Prune trained apple trees.. Destroy eggs of cabbage white butterflies. Spray celery against leaf spot and celery fly. Stop outdoor tomatoes

July Week 4

Take half-ripe cuttings of shrubs. Bud fruit trees. Prepare ground for strawberries. Remove plum branches infected with silver leaf. Feed and water cucumbers and melons. Lift shallots and garlic. Gather herbs for drying. Start cyclamen into growth

August Week 1

Disbud dahlias and outdoor chrysanthemums. Trim laurel hedges. Plant colchicums and Madonna lilies. Train wisterias. Water celery and runner beans. Bend onion tops over. Spray peas. Spray cyclamen in frames. Remove lower leaves fro tomatoes.

August Week 2

Collect and sow seeds of hardy primulas and meconopsis. Retrain cordon peas. Plant Brompton stocks. Prune raspberries. Sow spring cabbages and onions, Earth up celery. Pot on pelargonium cuttings. Sow schizanthus, Feed ferns.

August - Week 3

Take cuttings of zonal pelargoniums. Protect dahlias from earwigs. Remove rose suckers. Cut and dry "everlasting" flowers. Select strawberry plants for forcing next year. Pick early apples. Sow green manure crop. Order Christmas bulbs. Sow cyclamen.

August - Week 4

Plant border carnations. Prune rambler roses. Trim lavender bushes. Protect chrysanthemum blooms. Prepare compost heap. Remove strawberry runners. Sow winter lettuce. Prepare ground for winter cabbage. Start freesias and lachenalias. Disbud chrysanthemums.

September - Week 1

Take lavender and rose cuttings, Plant daffodils for cut flowers. Transplant violets. Prepare to store apples and pears, Gather French and runner beans and sweet corn. Remove early cyclamen flowers. Sow greenhouse annuals.

September - Week 2

Plant bulbs for naturalising. Prune rampant ramblers. Train climbing roses, Treat Hydrangeas with colourant. Pick apples and pears. Grease band fruit trees, Ripen onions. Feed leeks. Pot cyclamen. Re-house arum lilies

September - Week 3

Take cuttings of budding calceolarias and penstemons. Protect alpines with panes of glass. Expose grapes to sun. prune loganberries. Lift and store carrots and beetroot. Clear away greenhouse tomatoes. House cyclamen. Dry off begonias and gloxinias. Pot up bulbs

September - Week 4

Propagate tender bedding plants. Lift gladioli. Sow sweet peas. Hoe strawberry beds. Earth up celery and leeks. Store onions. Lift maincrop potatoes. Pick outdoor tomatoes. House freesias, carnations and chrysanthemums. Prick out greenhouse annuals

October Week 1

Rake lawns. Lift tender plants. Prune rambler roses. Thin raspberry canes. Take gooseberry cuttings. Plant lettuces in frames. Pick runner and french beans. Plant spring cabbages. House chrysanthemums and solanums. Pot pre-cooled bulbs for Christmas.

October Week 2

Prepare ground for spring bedding. Pot up shrub cuttings. Complete picking of apples and pears and inspect those in store. Prepare ground for fruit trees. Prune blackberries. Dig in green manure. Store begonia and gloxinia tubers. House hydrangeas and freesias.

October Week 3

Plant spring bedding, aubrietas, alyssum and winter-flowering pansies. Take cuttings of shrubs and roses. Clean strawberry beds. Tie in raspberries. Prune and train morello cherries. Turn compost heaps. Lift seakale. Pot up lilies.

October Week 4

Tidy Herbaceous borders. Lift and sore dahlia tubers. Complete bulb planting. Inspect fruit in store. Lift roots of parsley for winter use. Pot roses for the greenhouse. Dry off cannas. Stop schizanthus.

November Week 1

Tidy up the garden. Lay turf. Plant lilies. Protect tender shrubs. Clean and grease mowers. Prune red and white currants. Ridge heavy soils. Lift Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips and horseradish. Pot up lilies-of-the-valley

November Week 2

Lift and protect outdoor chrysanthemums. Plant lily-of-the-valley crowns. Protect kniphofias. Plant hedges. Prune apples and pears. Plant fruit trees. Lift and store scorzonera and salsify. Sow broad beans and hardy peas. Cut down chrysanthemums.

November Week 3

Plant ornamental trees and waterside plants. Prune neglected fruit trees. Rake up fallen leaves. Plant red and white currants. Hoe between lettuce and onions. Cut Savoy cabbages. Bring pots of bulbs out of plunge beds.

November Week 4

Repair and relay garden paths. Plant rhododendrons and azaleas. Protect Christmas roses. Plant raspberries, blackberries and loganberries. Protect trees from mice. Inspect fruit and potatoes in store. Force rhubarb and chicory. Reduce water given to cacti.

December Week 1

Half prune roses. Ventilate plants in frames. Protect delphiniums from slugs. Repair fences. Control big bud on black currants. Prune outdoor vines. Lift celery. Earth up spring cabbages. Box up chrysanthemum stools. Bring pots of bulbs into greenhouse.

December Week 2

Treat wooden fences with preservative. Cut winter-flowering shrubs for the house. Continue to plant trees and shrubs. Screen newly planted evergreens. Order winter washes. Inspect grease bands. Force seakale. Protect broccoli. Sow onions. Sponge foliage plants.

December Week 3

Shake snow off shrubs and trees. Paint garden frames. Firm cuttings. Apply winter wash to fruit trees, and feed. Lift leeks and heel in. Force rhubarb. Prepare ground for runner beans. Prune vines and peaches under glass. Take carnation cuttings.

December Week 4

Order flower seeds. Dig over annual borders. Check protective material used on tender plants. Protect fruit against bird damage. Manure wall-trained fruit trees. Force mint. Prepare onion bed. Cut back pelargoniums. Clean greenhouse thoroughly.

ALLOTMENTS FOR BEGINNERS

A course run by allotment people

for people who want an allotment.

Kingsthorpe Park Allotment Association.

The course runs for a year. There are four full sessions, covering the basics, practical and theory, of what you need to know to run a successful plot; soil and soil management, cultivation methods, choosing, sowing, and care of crops, rotation, composting, pests and diseases, managing weeds, and constructing allotment structures.

After the first four weeks you will have your own mini-plot for the year and you can grow what you like.

Information available from :

kingsthorpe.park.allotment.association@hotmail.co.uk   

or  

Helen Pearson : telephone 01604 470066