Garlic Injection of trees
I am currently doing research for my talk on novel new methods of pest and disease control. This BBC feature is fascinating me…
Treatment of fairy rings.
I am often asked on a radio show I co present (The Great Outdoors on BBC Radio Humberside) about fairy rings in lawns, in particular what is the best way that the home gardener can eradicate them. In the old days there used to be some very effective chemicals, including Armillatox. This has now been…
I have been guest blogging…
I was slightly surprised (and totally delighted) to be asked by Dickes, purveyors of clothing for trades people everywhere to write a guest blog for their website. I chose the rather interesting subject of ants, greenfly and fruit trees. Just click here to have a read of the blog…
Cinnamon, cuttings and plant diseases
There have been a lot of reports doing the rounds recently that dipping cuttings in cinnamon can aid rooting, and that spraying plants with water which has been steeped in Cinnamon helps to combat disease. I am reminded that some of the early fungicides worked in a very subtle way, slightly changing the pH (acidity…
Honey!
Have you heard the latest gossip that seems to be rife on gardening blog sites? It would seem that honey is being used as a substitute for rooting powder. This is interesting as an idea and worth of some thought and reflection. Firstly most softwood cuttings in my opinion root very well, if taken in…
Ash tags
As gardeners I am sure that we are all very worried about the spread of Chalara Ash dieback disease. One very positive thing we can do to help protect our ash trees is to visit the ashtag website, which has information on identifying the disease and an app for iphones and android phones to help…