Purple Coneflower… “What a wonderful display in the garden,” says Cedric.
For example, I have struggled with growing Echinacea purpurea or Purple Coneflower, unsuccessfully for years. The regular rain has suited this plant along with so many plants this summer, despite echinacea being a native to dry prairies of North America where local Indians have used it as a medicinal herb for a thousand years in treating snake bites, coughs and colds. In more recent times it has shown to have an effect on the immune system and in research of AIDS.
The purple-pink flowers have raised conical centres made up of prickly scales reminiscent of hedgehogs (echinacea is from the Greek word for hedgehog). You will find products in any health food shop with echinacea. And what a wonderful display in the garden!
The regular summer rainfall has also been beneficial in washing dust from plant leaves. A heavy coating of dust can affect a plant’s ability to breathe.
HERE’S some surprising advice on rose pruning from Troy Scott, head gardener at the famous Sissinghurst Castle and Gardens in Kent in the UK: “Popular belief is that roses should be pruned in the English spring [as they are here]. However, at Sissinghurst we prune in March/August, from [northern] spring to summer.
“First we remove dead, diseased, weak and crossing growth before shortening all remaining branches by one third. At the same time removing completely a proportion of the older wood to encourage new growth.
“Finally feeding after pruning with two parts magnesium-rich fertiliser and one third potash”.
The ladybird… appears just at the right time in spring to combat pests such as aphids.
There are many varieties of ladybird, of which the most familiar is the seven-spot ladybird. Ladybirds appear just at the right time in spring to combat many pests such as aphids.
According to the UK “Country Life” magazine, in August, 1976, hundreds of kilometres along the English coastline were clogged with a mass migration of ladybirds, estimated double the number of human beings who have ever lived on this earth. They are voracious feeders and each day can consume a dozen or so sap suckers such as aphids.
They have been introduced into Californian citrus orchards as biological pest controllers where they are harvested with vacuum cleaners and sold to farmers in bulk for pest control, with 1500 to the ounce (28 grams).
So why do so many gardeners persist in using chemical sprays to attack every insect in the garden, wiping out the good as well as the bad? This is why I consistently recommend certified organic products.
Jottings…
- An easy way to overcome the problem of thinning carrot seed is to sow carrot seed tape. The seed is evenly divided along biodegradable tape. Just lay it on the ground in the veggie bed and only cover very lightly with soil and water in.
- The best and cheapest hanging-basket liner is multi-coloured foam carpet underlay. Place the plastic side on the inside with a few drainage holes. It will last for years without birds pulling it apart.
- If water drains through your potting mixes too quickly, mix in a quarter of clay soil for better water retention.
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