Gardener’s Cuttings
Take more cuttings gardeners are urged
Gardeners who find pieces of their plants have broken off
are being urged to replant them and create new greenery
for the garden.
Not only is using cuttings easy, "it is also hugely satisfying
and self perpetuating", adding "eventually you will be able
to take cuttings from your cuttings and grow more."
It is possible to take cuttings from most shrubs and herbs,
especially those with evergreen foliage, as well as a range
of perennial plants, Dorset head gardener Peter Mayes
urged.
People should chose side-shoots or a main growing shoot,
which is young, for cuttings. These should either be pulled
away from the main stem or the top 7-8cm should be
severed, the newspaper advised.
Cuttings should be planted in a pot, with drainage holes,
using compost, it added.
Peter stressed that if gardeners choose the right flowers
and make a plan, they will be able "to cut a bunch of
Gardeners should try taking more cuttings this season.
flowers each week for many months for next to nothing".
More allotments in the future?
developed, but publicly owned land
People will be able to avail of an
could also be used for growing on a
increased number of allotments,
permanent basis," she added.
under new plans announced in the
She also noted that the initiative could
government's Food 2030 report.
help tempt more people to grow their
According to the report, which
own food, especially because of the long
was unveiled on January 5th, the
waiting lists for allotments.
government is planning on encouraging
people to produce their own food via
Time to be experimental with
community allotment schemes. It states
2010 potato crop
Kestrel – a new variety to try for 2010
that "meanwhile leases" will be made
make the best roast potatoes. For mash,
available, allowing communities to use
Bored with King Edwards and Maris
you can't beat purple-skinned Arran
temporarily vacant land for the purpose.
Piper? It's time to be a bit more
Victory. Kestrel, whose yellow skin is
Commenting on the plans, Emma
experimental with your 2010 potato
marked with blue patches, Vivaldi said
Hockridge, spokesperson for The Soil
crop. There are more than 150 types of
potato in many different colours, shapes
to be the tastiest potato, and Romano
and sizes and this year gardeners are
for its eye-catching round, red tubers.
being urged tio ‘try something new’ After buying seed potatoes, Nigel says it’s
vital to force them to produce sprouts
known as chitting.”Place a tuber in
each cup of an eggbox, ensuring that
the rose end (with most of the eyes or
indentations) is facing up. If you don't
have an empty eggbox, use a shallow
cardboard box, wooden fruit tray or a seed
tray lined with newspaper.
“Put the cartons in a cool, light
place such as a spare room, porch or
greenhouse. Leave them until short,
Allotments – are more on the way finally?
Arran Victory – a new variety
stubby sprouts have grown from the
Association, stated that "there is very
Country gardener asked potato seed eyes - this can take up to six weeks.
little detail in the report about how this
expert Nigel Wood to recommend some
“When the shoots are just over 1in long,
scheme would work, but in theory it is
different varieties.
the potatoes are ready for planting. If
an excellent idea".
“I adore the Pink Fir Apple (impossible you're short of space, grow them in large
"It has been suggested that there could
to peel, so best cooked whole), Ratte pots, sacks lined with plastic or special
be temporary leases for land before it's
(perfect for salads) and Saxon, which potato growing bags. “
10
Country Gardener
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