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BBC Radio Berkshire Gardening

Factual: Homes & Gardens: Gardens

Colin Evans

Music and conversation as well as gardening advice with Colin Evans.

BBC Radio Berkshire Gardening: Gardening with Colin Evans

Gardening with Colin Evans

BBC Radio Berkshire - BBC Radio Berkshire Gardening, Gardening with Colin Evans

Music and chat as well as gardening advice with Colin Evans on 0845 900 1041 (local rate).

At last I am forced to take my mower for its annual service. I say this, as to be honest, this is something I have neglected to do for a couple of years now but this time I can't escape it. My mower has carried out Stirling service over the past two years and deserves to be given the once over, though I still can't understand why a service on a mower is nearly as much as my car, still I like a nicely manicured lawn so its a necessary evil.

Though it can be expensive to be a keen gardener these days there are ways at this time of the year we can save money. For example, the garden centres are champing at the bit to get rid of any surplus summer stock and if they fail to do this now will be stuck with trees and shrubs which will need storing and looking after during the winter months. Also, garden centres need to make room for winter plants like Pansies and polyanthus as well as new trees and shrubs for spring planting, so get down to the garden centre or local nursery to bag a bargain.

The general rule of thumb for me is, if the plant has a good root system, even if it is protruding through the base of the pot then its still a worthwhile buy. Just prize the root from the pot when you get it home and plant as soon as you can.

PLANT OF THE WEEK:
BEGONIA'S will give colour right through from mid Spring to Autumn and the latest varieties are even better than before. Using a mixture of B. Fortune and B. dark leaved Mocca there is every reason to include them in next years summer bedding scheme. Look out for B. Mocca Scarlet, B.Fortune White and B. Mocca Pink. Planted in a shady spot or in full sunlight these lovely plants will grow in most soil conditions.                                                 

TOPICAL TIPS:

Feed and water indoor Orchids and remove old and dried aerial roots. Place where the plant will not get too cold and keep a little water around the base of the pot so it will not dry out if we get a very cold snap and the cenrtal heating is turned up a notch.

Plant Wallflowers, Pansy's and Polyanthus. There are some good coloured varieties to be had now and they make a wonderful spread of colour on dark grey days. Plant in Hanging baskets, tubs and troughs and make sure the plants do not dry out. Feed each week and remove dead flowers for more growth during the winter months.

Repair dead patches on lawns with pieces of turf. Dig out the offending dead grass and create a furrow and add a new piece of turf filling in at the edges and in a few weeks time it will be hard to see where the new turf was laid. Make sure though even in the winter months that your new piece of turf does not dry out.

Happy Gardening:

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