Gardener’s Cuttings
Snow brought more birds to gardens of Britain
The results from a British Trust for Ornithology Garden BirdWatch survey show huge increases in
the use of gardens by birds as they come in search of an alternative food source. The January snow
saw record numbers in gardens. For some species this increase has been dramatic. The Redwing and
Fieldfare, both types of thrush from Scandinavia, have shown an increase in the use of gardens for
The snow in January has feeding by 283% and 267% respectively compared with a normal winter. Although most of the snow
brought record numbers of birds
has now gone, flocks of these birds remain feeding in gardens. This is set to continue for some time as
into gardens
most of the natural foods in the countryside have already been eaten or destroyed by hard frosts.
It doesn’t stop here though. For 40 species of birds, the percentage of gardens in which they were seen increased during the
recent snowy weather, with particularly large increases amongst thrushes and buntings. The Reed Bunting and Yellowhammer,
both small birds belonging to the bunting family that would ordinarily find refuge in Britain’s farmland, have increased by 134%
and 80% respectively.
Day course on wildlife ponds
How do you make and maintain a
larger scale wildlife pond? Habitat
Aid, the organisation which bids to
save native habitats and promote
biodiversity in the UK is holding a
one day course aimed at gardeners,
landowners, landscapers and
contractors to cover all aspects of
establishing and managing larger
sized ponds. After a morning of
classroom work, including a section
on native aquatic plants, lunch will be
followed by a practical demonstration
including excavation, lining, and
planting. The idea is to end up with a
completed 5m X 10m pond.
Pak Choi – the growingly popular vegetable to undergo RGS trials
Pak Choi to get the RHS treatment
For the first time the growingly popular pak choi, Brassica rapa Chinensis Group, is
to be part of the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society trials.
The vegetable has become increasingly popular as a ‘salad leaf ingredient’ and is
increasingly being grown by gardeners. The tender stalks can be eaten raw in salads;
Want to learn how to build a wildlife pond?
stir fried; steamed or pickled and the flowering stems of some cultivars, cut just
The course venue is The Old Rectory,
before the flowers open, are tender and tasty.
Lamyatt, Somerset, Habitat Aid's
The new trial features 27 different cultivars with both white and green stems
beautiful HQ. The course is on April
including: ‘Natsu Taiko’, ‘Lunar Queen ‘, ‘Colour and Crunch’ and ‘Summer Breeze’.
14th and costs £140
According to Thompson and Morgan there has been a sustained increase in sales of pak
www.habitataid.co.uk
choi, due to the introduction of new F1 hybrids. These extend the growing season with
Tel: 01749 812775 increased bolting resistance and produce thicker more succulent stalks.
Colin Randel, Chairman of the RHS Vegetable Trials Assessment Panel said: “Pak
Royal Cornwall gets ready
choi is a fast growing vegetable with a distinctive flavour. The seeds can be sown
Preparations for the biggest flower show
between April and August outdoors with harvesting from July to October. Sowings
in the south west at the Royal Cornwall
from March to October in a frost free greenhouse will provide a much extended
Show are in hand. The Royal Cornwall
harvesting period into the New Year.”
Show takes place at Wadebridge on the
10th, 11th and 12th of June.
Malvern gets ready to celebrate 25 years
In the flower show there are three
The Malvern Spring Gardening Show turns 25 this year and to mark the occasion
classes for cut trees and shrubs, five for
from May 6 to 9th organisers have adopted a celebration theme.
container gardening and in the floral art
There are to be special displays by 25 nurseries for a marquee centre-piece.
section themes include All That Jazz, A
Touch of Drama, Breakdance, Fascinating
The nurseries selected to create special displays will help compile a shortlist of
Rhythm, Art Gallery, Masterpiece,
favourite plants for a "Best of the Best" signature collection.
Sculptured Elegance and Duet. A new People's Choice Award will also be introduced to the floral marquee for the
www.royalcornwall.co.uk
first time. Three inspirational designers come together to capture the essence of
Malvern’s appeal in one collaborative garden.
Country Gardener
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