Homes & Gardens 


Get ready for a summer of garden fun


‘Then followed that beautiful


season...Summer....’ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.


The season of plenty has arrived – at least it has if you are a dedicated kitchen gardener! Now is the time to enjoy all those wonderful vegetables and fruit – make “five –a-day” into “six-seven- eight a day” – why not?


By the way, it isn’t too late to sow seeds


for many salad crops (check seed packet labels for advice) to ensure a continuous supply of crispy, crunchy salad leaves that will tempt even the faddiest child. Be bold – introduce as many colourful varieties as possible. Sow little and often. Pick, rinse (very lightly if you


largest flower show in the world – the setting is gorgeous and, wonderful as Chelsea is, but there is far, far more space at Hampton.


Bargains are to be had in lots of places.


Broadview, Hadlow College’s own 10-acre mixed gardens, are open, free of charge, on 360 days of the year, but now there is a bonus. The college is offering some seasonal guided tours free of charge. For further information telephone 01732 853211


Children have a


natural affinity with wildlife and many of them are good naturalists. Check out the Kent Wildlife Trust website for a list of activities. The


don’t use chemicals – no need to dowse) and serve promptly.


July – school holidays! Celebrations and


cheers – and then boredom sets in. Forestall moans and groans by devising fun activities – preferably some that wean them away from computers, tablets, iPhones and the television. Try barbecue cooking challenges…prizes for concocting successful recipes using garden produce…bottling or drying excess produce or turning it into preserves. Competition is all, and boys enjoy it too.


Adults can have a lot of fun too. RHS


Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, which runs from July 8 to 13, has a great strap line – “it’s where gardening gets down to earth”. Well certainly it is the


trust provides valuable advice for wildlife gardening and the shop is a good place to stock up.


Dining al fresco is more popular than


ever before - but mosquitoes and bugs enjoy it too! The herb garden is full of natural repellents that many users claim are infinitely more effective, better for the environment – and cheaper on the pocket than proprietary solutions. Try a couple of simple vases of basil or – better still – relocate already potted basils where they will defend diners.


Lavender enjoys a reputation for


warding off mosquitoes – and almost everyone loves the scent. It is also supposed to be good for discouraging rabbits from eating lettuce, spinach and the like - worth a try. Rosemary also has


a good reputation for seeing off mosquitoes and apparently cats are deterred from digging sanitary holes close to it. Tansy has a reputation for repelling all sorts of bugs and flies and it is popular as a companion plant for biological control of vulnerable crops.


Returning to the subject of wildlife –


water can be in such short supply that birds and small animals are forced to drink stagnant water which carries disease. Encourage young naturalists to empty containers and bird baths every day and re-fill with fresh water – one of the most beneficial routines they can undertake.


Editorial by Pat Crawford, Hadlow College Mid Kent Living 39


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