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Fact Sheet Twenty One
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THE GARDENERS DIARY
WEEK 21
20th February 2005
THE DIARY THE DIARY
FLOWER GARDEN JOBS: Hard prune shrubs
This week whilst the sap is still running off the blades of your secateurs continue prune other shrubs around the garden like Buddleia (Butterfly Bush), Lavatera (Shrubby Mallow), summer flowering varieties of Spiraea (especially the japonica strains) plus many other plants will need to be done to keep them compact and to encourage plenty of fresh new growth and flower for the coming season.
Buddleia, Lavatera and Cornus should be trimmed very similar to roses. Like on most pruning remove the 3 D's - all dead, damaged and diseased growth before reshape the main framework.
This is done by counting 3-5 buds up into the previous year's growth and prune on an outward facing growth so that you are left with 3-5 strong, healthy stems at around 30cm in height.
The summer flowering Spiraea varieties should be trimmed down to 10cm every year. This will help keep them neat and compact.
FLOWER GARDEN JOBS: Put your planting ideas into perspective.
First of all make sure your plan is going to work and blend in with the existing features of the garden if you are not sure then study your gardening books well and make sure that the plants you have chosen will tolerate the area you have chosen.
New areas should be first dug over to aerate the soil and as you do this add a general-purpose fertiliser and some compost.
If you're planting idea contains ericaceous plants then remember to use feeds and compost for this purpose.
Once you've done the back breaking work it is then time to head for your local garden centre or nursery with plans, plant list and last by no means least your wallet.
Choose your plants carefully and remember to look for a plant with good even growth. If you're an impatient gardener and want an instant affect then larger plants are usually available but be prepared to pay for them as the older, specimen plants can be expensive due to the nurturing and care it has taken for that plant to grow to that size.
Once you have your new plants back in the garden make sure you place your plants into position before planting. Stand back and see if you are happy with your design.
Turn plants around, as most plants will have a better side to face out and also make sure that the planting distances are correct. If you plant to near (LIKE JANET) then in a couple of years you're going to have to lift and remove some for others to grow. But then don't plant to far away as it can take up to 10 years before your border finally gains the affect you placed on your plan in the first place.
Water the plants well before planting. Then follow the guidelines on our extra fact sheet called 'How to Plant a Containerised Tree/Shrub'
Once the area is complete. Apply a mulch of bark or cocoa shell to help suppress weed growth and help retain some moisture in the coming summer months.
THE VEG GARDEN NOW: It's time to start sowing your seeds.
Sow parsnips and broad beans as soon as you get back them from your seed merchant. Carrots, beetroot and radishes can also be sown but will need protection under cloches.
Dwarf varieties of peas, brussel sprouts and summer cabbage can also be sown under cover.
The Brassica's preferably are best started off in the greenhouse into trays.
In next weeks show we will be sowing carrots, parsnips and broad beans and will put together a 'HOW TO' guide to help you every step of the way.
LAWN CARE JOBS: Start treating your moss problems.
Moss on lawns can soon become a serious problem and if left unchecked can soon choke your grass and then leave you with large patches of moss to remove and then further patches of turf to replace.
This can be rectified with the use of a moss killer.
There are several moss treatments on the market but one of the most affective forms is still the old-fashioned lawn sand.
Lawn sand is a mixture of sharp sand and ferrous sulphate or sulphate of iron.
Sprinkle the lawn sand over the affected area and once it has died remove the dead material with a lawn rake.
If the patches are only sporadic and in confined areas then these could be treated with one of the ready-to-use spray killers.
Before applying either of these treatments remove as much as possible with your lawn rake especially if you plant up lots of moss style hanging baskets, as it could save you some money. The moss in your lawn can be used as lining for your baskets.
PEST PROBLEM OF THE WEEK: Cats
To some people are cats are furry, friendly and make great pets and to other people they are scourge of the universe.
There are several deterrents on the market most are applied either diluted or powdered. Some of these can work well though if you have a sudden burst of rain most of them will need to be re-applied and others will last up to 4 weeks.
Cocoa Shell works well as when it is wet it is soft and slimy, cats usually hate getting their paws in it and it does work to a certain degree. When it's dry, the shell binds together via a natural gum that is present in the shell forming a sharp pie crust stopping them digging their make shift toilets.
Other methods which have recently appeared on the market in recent years are the ultra sonic cat scarers which send a loud noise which only cats can hear.
There are also plants which cats are said to detest the smell. The herb Rue is said to deter cats and also recently there has been a mysterious plant named Pee-Off, which as far as a colleague has found is a member of the Coleus family, which as most gardeners know is only half-hardy.
Other methods which have also appeared recently in the garden centre are scented plastic sticks. Each one protects 1 square metre for up to several weeks.
Silent Roar which is made from Lion dung! The cats sense an animal larger and meaner than it and decide to cock their backsides elsewhere. Also reflective surfaces like clear old fizzy drinks bottles filled half full with water and laid on their sides have been effective.
Though there is no easy solution. Most people who have a problem with cats usually don't have cats themselves. Cats are territorial animals and will use gardens and roam until another cat challenges them.
So the most affective method of getting rid of other people's cats out of your garden is getting a cat yourself!
Listen to The Gardener's Diary with Luke Ashmead on BBC Three Counties Radio every Sunday afternoon at 2.00pm Contact The Gardener's Diary Here BBC Three Counties Radio 98, 103.8, 95.5 and 104.5FM 
| Chris Blackburn, Royston,Herts | Tuesday, 21-Jun-2005 15:44:13 BST | | | What might be of interest to your listeners who want a humane solution to problem cats, is that our ultrasound cat deterrent CatWatch has just completed a 2 year trial by the RSPB which has led to it becoming the ONLY cat deterrent tested and recommended by the Beds based charity.We are based in Herts and CatWatch is manufactured locally in Potters Bar! Happy to provide anecdotes,happy and humourous customer letters etc if of interest. Keep up the good work,Regards,Chris Blackburn |
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