lets-talk-plants

Newly Weds :- Advice

Sat, 07 May 2011 09:26:30 +0100

Jack was about to marry Jill and his father took him to one side 'When I married your mother, the first thing I did when we got home was take off my trousers,' he said. 'I gave them to your mother and told her to put them on . When she did, they were enormous on her and she said to me that she couldn't possibly wear them, as they were too large. 'I told her, 'of course they're too big. I wear the trousers in this family and I always will. 'Ever since that day, we have never had a single problem.'

Jack took his father's advice and as soon as he got Jill alone after the wedding, he did the same thing; took off his trousers, gave them to Jill and told her to put them on. Jill said that the trousers were too big and she couldn't possibly wear them. 'Exactly,' replied Jack.'I wear the trousers in this relationship and I always will. I don't want you to forget that.' Jill paused and removed her knickers and gave them to Jack. 'Try these on,' she said, so he tried them on but they were too small. 'I can't possibly get into your knickers,' said Jack. 'Exactly,' replied Jill. 'And if you don't change your f *** ing attitude, you never will.

Tomatoes

Sat, 07 May 2011 08:55:21 +0100

The Eight Most Popular Tomato Varieties for Home Gardening Today

In 1989 the most popular were Ailsa Craig, Alicante and Moneymaker, In these few years we have come a long way with Tomatoes.
The most popular today is

Sun Gold- This small, orange cherry tomato is packed with a delicious fruity tang and is super sweet! These golden delights would have been gone before they even made it to the kitchen if it were not for the productivity of the plants, which are prolific enough to overcome fruits being eaten right out in the garden!
Big Beef- Beefsteak should have occupied this spot, but nowadays the term “beefsteak” refers to an entire subcategory of big pounders. So why not put Big Beef here? It claims 50% more producitivity and is a little earlier than regular beefsteaks. Beefsteaks in general are dense and flavorful, and they’re perfect for sandwiches because they’re so big. They also give the most pounds of fruit per plant of all tomato varieties

    3.   Early Girl- This small tomato has a wide appeal because of its productivity and earliness
         (maturation in only 52 days).
         The average fruit is about 4oz and is loaded with true tomato flavor.
         Plants are also very disease resistant and very tolerant of the growing environment.

    4.    Celebrity- This semi-determinate hybrid is primarily known for its disease resistance and productivity.
         Plants are loaded with medium, uniform fruits, the size of which is similar to those sold in supermarkets,
         but have a homegrown taste that can't be found in the stores.

    5.    Sweet Hundred- Flower clusters of this cherry tomato produce tens to hundred of sweet, delicious fruit.
         Not to mention that plants are very prolific. The fruits are somewhat prone to cracking, especially after rainy days.
         An improved hybrid known as Sweet Million was bred to address this problem. Sweet Million fruits are smaller,
         but they're just as sweet and are more resistant to cracking.

    6.    Better Boy- The bred-to-be counterpart to Early Girl. This mid-season cropper produces an abundant crop of 12-
         16oz fruits loaded with pure tomato flavor. Not just known for its disease resistance,
          a Better Boy tomato plant also holds the Guiness World Record for most tomatoes produced from one plant- 342lbs!

    7.    Brandywine- Overwhelmingly rated the best tasting tomato ever! Brandywine is renowned for its sweet, intense
         flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth type texture. The Brandywine Sudduth Strain is a related yellow-variety that has
         also been highly rated for taste. Brandywines are late season heirlooms and are not known for their production,
         but flavor-wise they are definitely worth growing.

    8.     Cherokee Purple- This underrated native of the Americas is unique in its blackish-red color and posseses
            a complex, earthy flavor. Plants grow to be very tall and are loaded big-sized fruits. Although the fruits do not
            store well after picking, that should not be a problem because they're delicious.
            This is definitely a good variety if you're looking to try something out of the norm.

February 2011

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:45:06 +0100

Firstly I must appologise for last months heading it should read January 2011

So this February has started with winds and milder weather, however I would caution do not be fooled as I would predict a very cold snap to come, if not a lot of snow, I could be wrong (and I have been proved so in the past), but do take this as a caution to your garden outings and be prepared.

Lawns

As milder weather conditions arrive, weeds will start to grow on areas of ground already prepared in preparation for sowing a new lawn - they should be brought under control before sowing begins in April. On existing lawns, brush off any unsightly wormcasts with a stiff broom, besom or rake. If you haven’t already done so, now is a good time to get your lawn mower serviced.

Trees & Shrubs

Tree ties should be checked now to make sure they aren’t cutting into the bark. Any worn or damaged ties should be replaced.
Should you have storms or high winds check to see that any tree stakes and ties haven’t been damaged.
Fleece or fine mesh netting is an ideal way of protecting vulnerable younger saplings plants from frost.
If you are still experiencing snow in your area, avoid tree and shrub branches from breaking, you could use a broom or rake to knock the snow of the branches.

General

If the weather has been milder in your area, you might want to take a look at your perennial plants, clumps could be divided and the outer, young, healthy parts replanted into freshly prepared soil. Mulch, 5-7.5cm (2-3”), could be spread around perennial plants, trees, shrubs and even fruit, but be careful not to cover any dwarf bulbs that may be in flower.

We have found it useful at times to cover our planting soil with clear polythene, held into place with rocks, bricks etc., to shield the plants from heavy weather rain and snow, keeping the ground dryer and warmer a covering of compost is also beneficial at this time of year, then when the weather turns lighly turn the soil so the compost mixes into the top layers.

A good way to provide extra winter protection for plants is to use a cold frame which should be situated in full light thereby receiving warmth from the sun but sheltered from cold winds. Ventilation should be provided on warm days so it is a good idea for them to be opened up which will prevent over warming, however, remember to close them at night. However if its forecasted to become cold overnight do cover the frame with an old rug or blanket to retain the heat within the frame

January 2010

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:30:27 +0100

Prepare a deep trench, for Runner beans You can fill the trench with compost (well rotted) or a good rotted manure. Then in late spring cover with soil and sow your beans on top.
Seed potatoes should be stored in trays, in a light, cool, frost-free place to chit ready for planting in March or April. Broad Bean Sowings can still be made
Sowings of onion should be made in the greenhouse, harden off the plants in March prior to planting outdoors in April.

Flowers

Sowings can be made of antirrhinum, begonia, dianthus, geranium, gloxinia, lobelia, salpiglossis, statice, sweet pea and verbena. Some perennial plants such as anemone, auricula, aquilegia, hollyhock and kniphofia can also be sown at this time. Sweet peas that have been raised from autumn sowings can be encouraged to form sideshoots by pinching out the seedling tips.

Cut down flowering perennials to ground level. Any newly planted perennials or winter bedding that have been lifted by frost should be firmed back in.

When leaf shoots begin to show on crocuses, remove the pots from the beds where they had been placed, clean the pots of any old compost and place them in a cold greenhouse for the flowers to develop.

Bare-rooted roses can continue to be planted. To avoid disease refrain from planting new roses where old ones have been removed from. However, the exception to this is if the soil has been replaced and conditioned.

December 2010

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 12:28:57 +0100

Lawns

Use a leaf rake to remove any leaves that have blown or dropped from the trees onto the lawn, do try to stay off the grass if frozen. why not make it easier for yourself and use a garden Blower (or give us a call). Sweep any worm casts when able.

Greenhouses

This is the best time to clean the greenhouse,. Also check that greenhouse heaters and propagators are working correctly. Insulate with bubble wrap now to reduce heat loss.

Pests may overwinter on plants so keep an eye out for them, so it is best to control now before real probs can occur.

An easy way to control pest's in the greenhouse, if you are able remove all wanted plants and place them some where warm, then open the green house to a really bitterly cold spell ( a couple of days should do it). Then close it up lean it out and put your plants back (once you have reheated)

Other things

Now is a good time for repairing fences, trellises, pergolas, or having areas painted (on a nice dry spell) where plants would normally be in the way... Or you could always call us.

NOVEMBER

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 13:19:59 +0100

The weather for November is predicted as mild but do be ready for the prediction of a really cold front moving in with lots of snow.

Bulbs

Planting bulbs for spring should be finished early in the month, make sureyou plant at the correct depth for each bulb (usually 2 times the size for depth, as a rule, but do read the packaging for guidance) you could plant the bulbs in large pots and then they can be planted out at a later date.

Lawns

If weather conditions are mild and the grass is still growing give it a light trim,
Continue to remove fallen leaves
aeration of lawns should be done now, brushing sand or grit into the spike holes for improving drainage.
Try to keep off the lawn if soil conditions are wet or frosty.

Gord the Gourd

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:16:17 +0100

I'd tried growing gourds before but by the end of the season they really hadn't made much of an effort. A few flowers maybe, a couple of promising little bulges, but nothing to realise my plans of carving and painting my own birdhouses. It occurred to me that it probably needed a longer growing season, coming from hotter climes, and that as I didn't have a greenhouse to start one from seed early enough, I should, as soon I could, obtain a ready-to-go plant early in the spring. I decided to treat it like a pumpkin and planted it where I had tilled in a lot of manure from the barn. All that yummy goodness that seems to help the pumpkins would surely be right for a gourd. And it was a wet spring so he had a good start. I named him Gord, it seemed only appropriate.

By the end of June Gord had started to do really well and had grown into a 3 foot vine creeping along like a cucumber plant. It was obvious he would need a bit more space than I'd expected, as I was having such success, so I moved some of the herbs out of the way.

July was hot and Gord thrived. He felt like he was in his ancestral homeland. Little flower buds were already starting to appear, and I was excitedly planning my birdhouses. Gord had reached six feet and was still going.

In August I harvested all the carrots even though they were rather small, to give Gord a bit more space. Then we had a lot of rain. It was as if I could see him growing. Flowers came and went daily and small gourds started to appear. He had reached 10 feet. He was heading for the lawn. People started asking after him by name.

The second week in September Gord had reached 16 feet. He was smothered in gourds, and I was certain I'd be putting a sign up to sell the surplus. A person only needs so many birdhouses.

And then one morning I woke up to a horrible, killing, early frost. My first thought was Gord. I could hardly bear to look.

There he lay, yellowed and wilted. It was a hideous sight, like someone had slain a dragon. No birdhouses after all. No more Gord.

I shall try again.

This is how I shall always remember him, young and vital.

By Mrs M. Boxall (canada)

Eating Fruit on an empty stomach

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:48:21 +0100

Eating Fruit on an empty stomach
Dr Stephen Mak treats terminal ill cancer patients by "un-orthodox" way and many patients recovered. He explains: before he is using solar energy to clear the illnesses of his patients. He believes on natural healing in the body against illnesses. See the article below.
Letter to original email writer:
Dear Shereen,
Thanks for the email on fruits and juices. It is one of the strategies to heal cancer. As of late, my success rate in curing cancer is about 80%. Cancer patients shouldn't die. The cure for cancer is already found. It is whether you believe it or not. I am sorry for the hundreds of cancer patients who die under the conventional treatments.

Thanks and God bless.
Dr Stephen Mak

EATING FRUIT...
We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.
What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.
In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.....
So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining — every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc — actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!
Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.
There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.
When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all.. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.
But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!
KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.
STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.
WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene — the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.
GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content.. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.
Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can u believe this?? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

OCTOBER

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:22:09 +0100

Leaves on the lawn need to be cleared so rake them off and compost them.

Tidy Borders: Parts of plants that have died back in the borders can be removed.

Clean water butts & ponds if needed, prepare for the frost's,

Here's the plant list for planting this month: Foxgloves, Hardy Heathers, Wallflowers, Forget-me-nots, Sweet William, Polyanthus, aubrietia, alyssum & winter pansies . This also the best time to plant Trees and shrubs before the onset of the frost's.

Grasses especially taller ones should be cut back to reduce damage from wind rock

Remove bulbs from the ground for storage ie Dahlia, Gladioli, abd Begonia

Dead head all unhealthy flowers and buds.

SEPTEMBER

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:09:59 +0100

So here we are September, Debris such as plants that have died back can be picked and disposed of, its also a geat time to collect the seeds. Time for the general tidy up of borders and the lawn.
Plant spring flowering plants such as daisy, pansy, polyanthus, primrose and wallflowers along with spring flowering bulbs. Its a bit early for planting Tulips.
Sweet peas can be sown in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse to over-winter. The young plants can then be planted out in March/April to obtain early blooms.
Take cuttings from Lavender, Penstemons, fuchias, hydrangea's, clematis, rose, and buddleia this month
September is an ideal time to sow a new lawn or make repairs to an existing lawn. Grass growth is slowing, therefore, reduce the frequency of mowing. Keep the lawn clear of fallen leaves. General maintenance should be carried out to established lawns, aerate by spiking with an aerator or fork, apply a top dressing and towards the end of the month apply an autumn fertiliser.
Plant onion sets check they an over winter variety, from the middle of the month.
Bury blackberry tips into the soil, thats the shoots that have developed this year, as they will quickly form roots for new plants.
Fruit Tree's:
Time to place a grease band around the trunk to stop the invasion of pest's that may crawl up them and destroy next years crop.