Gardener's DiaryFebruary 2011
Have you noticed that Global Warming is now referred to as Climate Change? L The Cordyline Australis everywhere in our county appear to be dead, which is a great shame as they were so lovely and the ones in our garden had reached a great heightof about fifteen feet, see photo left. But the severe frosts got to them and, on one, even the trunk has gone soft. I have removed that one and will see if there is any life in the others in a few months time. I believe they can be cut right down to ground level and will sprout again.. There are only a few kinds of palms that are really hardy in the UK and two of those are Trachycarpus Fortuneii and Chamaerops Humilis I predict a boom time for garden centres in the spring!
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Jobs for the monthFebuary 2011
It's a good job us gardeners are optimistic people, because between the chafer beetles eating the lawn, the sooty mould that has appeared on the camellias and skimmias, and the snow and frosts that have killed off many of my plants, a lesser motal would have concreted the garden over!
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Volunteering with the National TrustVolunteers are active in all parts of the National Trust, from the new central office in Swindon to the summits of Snowdonia and Divis Mountain near Belfast. View their latest opportunities, or find out more about the kind of roles and different places you can volunteer: Still with the National Trust, some of the most visited National Trust properties are now holding regular farmers' and food markets. Click here for details and dates.
RHS gardens
Their four flagship gardens not only provide year-round interest and offer a wide range of courses, talks and demonstrations, they also demonstrate the best gardening practices, new techniques and exciting new plants to try in your garden. Visit Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire Or go to their website for a diary of all other events at:- http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/index.asp Do you take advantage of the DEFRA website for information? I find it a valuable source of information, for up to date legislation, countryside matters and other useful information. The BBC plant pests and diseases identifier is great, and saves me ploughing through all my gardening books, with the knowledge that their information is bang up to date...
Visit www.thompson-morgan.com where full information is available on their product varieties and orders can be taken on-line. Have a look to see what is new, and special seasonal offers
Some places to visit...
The living theatre of plants and people
Kew Gardens two locations:-
The National Botanic Gardens of Scotland comprise:
Royal Botanic
Garden Edinburgh
Benmore Botanic
Garden, Argyll
Dawyck Botanic
Garden, Borders
Logan Botanic
Garden, Galloway
The star attraction here is the 91 metre long domed glasshouse, that houses landscapes normally found in the Mediterranean. This would be a super place to visit on a chilly day...
Some websites of interest to gardeners:-
Carry on Gardening was initiated by the horticultural charity Thrive and is funded by the National Lottery Charities Board. It brings together information on easy ways of gardening gathered over 23 years by Thrive and research carried out since the early 1970s by Mary Marlborough Centre, Oxford, on tools and equipment for disabled and older people.
Useful reading:-
"The Yellow Book" contains information of all Gardens of England and Wales open for charity, and can be bought priced ?5 from National Gardens Scheme www.ngs.org.uk National Trust Gardens Handbook is ?6.99 and the new edition is out in May Telephone 01394 389 950 or see their website www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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