Handy hints and tops
Use old tights to secure young trees to the stake. They are strong and soft. Loosen or remove them before the following autumn to prevent strangulation of the bark
Another tip for tights. Use them to cover the end of the gutter down pipe. This will prevent leaves and debris getting into the rain water barrel. It will only need to be cleaned out once a year
Stand your seed potatoes in empty egg cartons with the rose end (rounded end) up. There are more ‘eyes’ at that end. Give them plenty of light as they start to grow
Keep an eye on seeds sown indoors. As soon as they germinate give them light but not direct sunlight. Turn those containers which are on window ledges every day to prevent the seedlings growing at an angle towards the light
Protect the base of trees and shrubs from rabbits and hares. They will be hungry and will soon strip the bark off a tree or branch. Once they have circled the trunk the tree will die. Remember that hares can reach to about 3ft when standing on their hind legs
Re-firm the soil round the roots of new plants. Frost and wind can lift the plants out of the ground. Firm with the foot and water
Spread mulch this month before plants get too large. Use a thick layer of compost over boarders and between trees, shrubs, roses and fruit. Newly emerging perennials should grow up through it. Take care not to cover dwarf bulbs now in flower
Covering soil with a large sheet of clear polythene, held down with lengths of wood or bricks, will help keep heavy rain off so the soil remains dry and workable. Simply roll back the sheet to continue digging when you get time, replacing the polythene afterwards. This is particularly useful for heavy or clay soils. Also use polythene to warm the soil for early sowings. A single layer left in place for a couple of weeks can raise the soil temperature a few degrees. This will help to encourage rapid germination and establishment
Even if you don’t get time to start the winter digging, try and cover areas to be dug with a layer of compost or manure. This will be worked in by worms over time, or it can be lightly forked in to the surface in spring to prepare the soil for planting.
