Welcome to Gardenandgreen.co.uk a website that began in 2007, that has information and content covering gardening, nature and greener living.
The Lavender in the photos is English lavender, which is more robust and can survive British winters better than some of the modern Spanish and French varieties, that have larger, frillier flowers. So, opt for English lavender if you want to ensure they last for years. Also, if you're not so keen on purple flowers, then it is possible to get a white flowering lavender, known as Lavender Alba.
Solar powered water features are great for small gardens. They can add interest to garden corners and create the relaxing sound of running water. If you are not familiar with them, they come with a small water pump and a solar panel, which charges the battery. Most can be used in the evenings, as well, using power from the battery. During the day the solar panel converts sunlight into electricity, no mains plugs are needed. You can set one up in just a few minutes by putting the pump in the water feature, placing the solar panel in a sunny place, and adding water. For example this one from Gardenis.co.uk.
Solar water feature - terracotta cascade / solar powered water feature – Gardenis.co.uk
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the seeds you buy will result in a plentiful harvest, there are numerous diseases that can badly affect crops. Below are some of the main vegetable plant diseases to look out for, and also some organic gardening methods to protect your plants from them.
1. Tomato blight: Caused by a fungal spore that thrives in warm, moist conditions, tomato blight can lead to the rapid decay of tomato plants. The best way to prevent it is to maintain good air circulation between plants, avoid overhead watering (point the watering can close to the base of the plant), and remove infected foliage immediately.
2. Clubroot: A soil-borne disease that attacks brassica crops (such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage), clubroot can cause stunted growth and distorted roots. To prevent it, rotate your crops, add lime to soil to maintain a pH of 7.2-7.4, and avoid planting brassicas in infected soil.
3. Potato blight: A common problem in wet summers, potato blight can cause the rapid decay of the potato plant. To prevent it, plant resistant varieties, maintain good air circulation, and remove infected foliage as soon as it appears.
4. Powdery mildew: A fungal disease that causes a white, powdery coating on leaves, powdery mildew can lead to plant stress and a reduced harvest. Control methods include spraying affected plants with a mixture of water and bicarbonate of soda, or using a milk spray solution.
5. Tomato Leaf Curl Virus – Tomato leaf curl virus is spread by whiteflies and causes the leaves on tomato plants to curl upward. Use yellow sticky traps to capture whiteflies, companion plant with marigold flowers, remove infected plants, and introduce parasitic wasps to control the whitefly population.
6. Verticillium Wilt – Verticillium wilt is a fungal disease that affects tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. It causes the leaves to wilt and die, so cut off infected leaves and do not compost them. Rotate crops, and use crop covers to prevent spores from being spread.
7. Scab – Scab is a common potato disease that causes raised, black blemishes on the skins of the tubers. Improve soil drainage by adding organic matter and rotate crops to prevent the disease from spreading.
8. Grey Mould – Grey mould, or botrytis, is a fluffy grey fungus that can attack many different plants. It thrives in damp conditions and causes wilting and rotting of leaves and flowers. Remove infected parts of the plant, improve air circulation, and practice good hygiene in the garden.
IMAGE
Creative commons
Powdery mildew - Wiki / Pollinator
Freezing produce from the garden or allotment is great for making it last through the winter months when not much is growing. However, some fruit and vegetables freezes better than others, and some require blanching, which involves part cooking before cooling then freezing. The fruit and vegetables below can all be frozen without blanching being required, making freezing quick and easy, and are all known to freeze well, and look and taste good when they are defrosted.
1. Raspberries: Rinse raspberries thoroughly and drain off excess water. Spread the raspberries evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for a few hours until solid. Then transfer the frozen raspberries to a freezer bag and seal tightly.
2. Blueberries: Rinse blueberries thoroughly and drain. Spread out the blueberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer bag and seal tightly.
3. Blackberries: Rinse blackberries and drain. Pat them dry with paper towels. Spread out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and seal properly.
4. Peas: Blanching is recommended for peas, but if you want to freeze them without blanching, rinse and drain peas and spread evenly on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid before transferring them to a freezer bag.
5. Sweetcorn: Peel off the husk and silk from the sweetcorn, rinse and dry. Cut the kernels off the cob and spread them evenly on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and seal tightly.
6. Green beans: Rinse green beans and remove the ends. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, if desired. Spread the green beans evenly on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer bag and seal tightly.
7. Broccoli: Cut broccoli into small florets and rinse them in water. Pat them dry with paper towels and spread them out evenly on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid before transferring them to a freezer bag and sealing properly.
8. Cauliflower: Cut cauliflower into small florets, rinse and dry them. Lay them out evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag and seal properly.
9. Spinach: Rinse leafy spinach under running water, discard any damaged leaves. Dry the leaves and chop them into small pieces. Spread out the spinach evenly on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and seal tightly.
10. Strawberries: Rinse strawberries under running water and remove their stems. Dry them completely and freeze them on a lined baking sheet. Transfer the frozen strawberries to a freezer bag and seal tightly.
Order vegetable seeds from Thompson and Morgan here.
A plant that is proven to attract many British bumblebees is the Red clover (Trifolium pratense). This plant is a herbaceous perennial and is commonly found in grasslands and meadows across the UK.
Red clovers are particularly attractive to bumblebees because of the nectar-rich, bell-shaped flowers that bloom throughout the summer months. The flowers are a distinct shade of pink and are arranged in a dense, cylindrical cluster. Each flower produces a small amount of nectar in its base, which is easily accessible to bumblebees and other pollinators thanks to the flower's structure.
Research has shown that red clovers are highly effective at attracting bumblebees, particularly the common carder bee (Bombus pascuorum) and the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris). This is due to the high concentration of nectar produced by the flowers, which is essential for providing bumblebees with the energy they need to forage and pollinate other plants.
Numerous studies have shown that bumblebees have a strong preference for red clover and are attracted to its bright red and pink flowers. One study found that red clover was the most visited flower by bumblebees in a field experiment, with workers spending an average of almost 6 minutes per flower. Additionally, bumblebees have been shown to be highly efficient at collecting nectar and pollen from red clover flowers, with one study reporting that workers were able to collect up to 45 pollen grains per visit.
Overall, red clovers are an excellent choice for gardeners and land managers looking to create habitats for bumblebees. They are easy to grow, hardy and attract a wide range of other beneficial insects such as butterflies, moths, and hoverflies.
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creative commons;
Bumblebee on Red clover / Ivar Leidus - Wikimedia