South Milford & Lumby

North Yorkshire

Garden Hints for July

One of my favourite plants, Pieris, came under the spotlight recently as the national collection in Swansea has been wiped out by the disease Sudden Oak Death.

This has become quite a problem like Dutch Elm Disease in the 70’s. The trouble with Sudden Oak Death is that it seems to attack anything and everything so that Rhododendron, Magnolia and others like Bilberry, Ash, Elder and Dog-rose die for no apparent reason.

The disease is a member of the phytothera family – the same causing tomato and potato blight. In tomatoes brown patches develop on the leaves, stems blacken and fruit turn brown and rot on the plant. Its spread is aided by a certain temperature and atmospheric moisture for a particular period of time. In bad weather farmers are more likely to be seen spraying their potatoes with fungicide in a bid to prevent the disease.

Look for dark blotches developing on leaves and twigs in Rhododendron, Camellia, Laurels, Yew, Beech, Horse and Sweet Chestnuts and Oaks. In some cases the bark splits oozing red sap, the shoot tips wilt and there is a rapid discolouration of foliage.

This is a notifiable disease and if you do come across it you should burn or bag the infected material and contact DEFRA Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate (01904 455174).

Under the Wildlife Habitat Trust community allotments are being developed at Church Fenton. There are 80 plots measuring 10 X 18 metres up for grabs at a rent of £3.50 a week. In these days of ‘grow your own’ there is a great shortage of allotment space and with encouragement being given towards a more healthy diet (the 5 a day scheme) this is an ideal opportunity to get started. You can book a plot with Craig Blakey on 07860786487 or 07813996794 or try martin.blakey1963@btinternet.com

With the promise of a hot summer to come my thoughts are turning to the conservation of water and also the cost of its usage! You can save money with water storage in barrels and mulching the ground with organic matter which reduces weed growth and evaporation from soil surfaces. Remember too the old trick of using the hoe. It is a sort of mulching machine breaking up capillary passages down through quite deep areas of the soil from which moisture can move. It also reduces weed growth which would, if left, present additional evaporation surfaces. Why not try anti-weed matting – improvise with old carpets! Experts are predicting 30c this summer so alternatives to expensive water are essential. Buy a good sprinkler before the rush starts. Irrigate in the evening or overnight when least evaporation occurs and the maximum water can get into the ground.

Warm weather breeds bugs so

1. Plant outside when plants are older and tougher.

2. Protect with nets and fleeces

3. Encourage habitats for hedgehogs and frogs

4. Recycle to create healthy organic soil

5. Just like humans; healthy plants have greater pest and disease resistance.
   

Yorkshire Landscape Gardens

dave@daviddmitchell.co.uk