This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
HOME & GARDEN


There may be a local garden that needs volun- teers. Go along and learn about how to recog- nise plant pests and diseases. March is also a month when you can start early seed sowing under cover. Try parsley, a com- mon herb rich in vitamin C. Grown for centu- ries, the Greeks fed it to their horses to keep them glossy and trim. The Romans chewed it to reduce the effects of alcohol and the Medi- eval monks said the seed had to go to the devil and back again seven times before the plant       with germination?


Old herbals suggest sowing only on Good Friday, but, in fact it can be sown any time in the spring, summer and late summer to give a healthy succession of plants; but it needs a warm situation. Don’t sow in cold damp com- post. To speed up germination, soak the seed overnight in lukewarm water and sow thinly. If you have a good well lit windowsill, greenhouse or polytunnel where the temperature can be constant at around 18 degrees C for germi- nation, the seedlings should fare well. As with other members of the carrot family, parsley dis- likes root disturbance so try growing this herb in pots rather than seed trays.


23


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44