THE HAPPY GARDENERS .co.uk

Handy hints for in the garden &old wive whatsits and thingedy bobs If you need an instant table , look no further than your collection of clay pots and saucers. Just turn a good-sized pot upside down, and top it off with a large saucer. And when you've had your share of tea, fill the saucer with water, and your "table" is now a birdbath.

To stop the line on your string trimmer from jamming or breaking,spray vegetable oil before putting in the trimmer.

Turn your rake or hoe into a ruler, simply put your measurements on the hoe/rake using a permanent marker pen and when you need to measure the spacing for planting out, a ruler to hand

To have garden twine handy when you need it, just stick a ball of twine in a small clay pot, pull the end of the twine through the drainage hole, and set the pot upside down in the garden.

clay pots can be turned into cloches for protecting young plants from sudden, overnight frosts and freezes.

To remove the salt deposits that form on clay pots, combine equal parts white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture to the pot and scrub with a plastic brush. Let the pot dry before you plant anything in it.

TREES and SHRUBS.....BARE ROOT It the Autumn time...and there are many bargain priced trees and shrubs around ...So why are they cheaper? Growing plants n the ground is much cheaper ...uses less space and they need less attention so now youve gone and got yours and can’t be planted immediately, remove the packaging and store them in a cool, frost free place. When ready for planting, soak the roots in tepid water for a couple of hours to rehydrate them and get them going. Dig a planting hole that is wide enough to accommodate the roots, tease the roots out and place in the hole, A soil mark is usually visible on the stem, which shows the original planting depth at the nursery which really helps. Plant your tree or shrub so that this mark sits at soil level, and plant it so that the top of the root system sits just below ground level. Firm the soil around the roots and water well.

Growing Bulbs and Tubers

If for any reason your bulbs or tubers can’t be planted straight away,maybe due to the weather, please make

sure you open the packaging and store them in a cool, dry, frost free place until you are ready to plant.Plant bulbs in containers or directly into the ground I recommend both as you get the extra height with pots. However, Begonia tubers always need to be started off in pots indoors. Almost all bulbs and tubers will enjoy a fertile, well drained soil and pots need good quality compost with really good drainage . Most bulbs can be planted at 3 times their own depth but just check the packaging , you will be surprised how much information you will find on there. Cyclamen and Begonias are exceptions to the 3 times their own depth rule and should be planted just at the soil surface. Water sparingly after planting.

The quickest way in the world to dry herbs: just lay a sheet of newspaper

on the seat of your car, place the herbs in a single layer, close the windows and doors. Your herbs will be quickly dried to perfection.and a cheap air freshener in the car too !

To create perfectly natural markers, write the names of plants (using a permanent marker) on the flat faces of stones of various sizes and place them at or near the base of your plants.

Got aphids? Give them a strong blast of water from the hose . But another idea, one that's a lot more fun; get some tape! Wrap a wide strip of tape around your hand, sticky facing out, and pat the leaves of plants infested with aphids. Concentrate on the undersides of leaves.

The next time you boil or steam vegetables, don't pour the water down the drain, use it to water over your weeds, very effective weed killer.

Use chamomile tea to control damping-off fungus, which often attacks young seedlings quite suddenly. Just add a spot of tea to the soil around the base of seedlings once a week or use it as a spray.

To prevent accumulating dirt under your fingernails while you work in the garden, draw your fingernails across a bar of soap and you'll effectively seal the undersides of your nails so dirt can't collect beneath them. Then, after you've finished in the garden, use a nailbrush to remove the soap and your nails will be sparkling clean.

: Famous quotes- A garden is a thing of beauty and a job forever.

How does my garden grow?1 part soil2 parts water3 parts wishful thinking

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." - Abraham Lincoln

"There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments." - Janet Kilburn Phillips

"Gardens... should be like lovely, well-shaped girls: all curves, secret corners, unexpected deviations, seductive surprises and then still more curves." - H.E. Bates,

"God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done." - Anon

Learn to be an observer in all seasons. Every single day, your garden has something new and wonderful to show you.

A weed is only an unwanted plant in a place where you didn't want it

"I WAS JUST SITTIN' HEREENJOYING THE COMPANY.PLANTS GOT A LOT TO SAY, IFYOU TAKE TIME TO LISTEN"

Eeyore

"I never planted that"

millions of people

Victor Hugo“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.”

Thomas More“The many great gardens of the world, of literature and poetry, of painting and music, of religion and architecture, all make the point as clear as possible: The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden. If you don't want paradise, you are not human; and if you are not human, you don't have a soul.”

Thomas More

Rudyard Kipling“Gardens are not made by singing 'Oh, how beautiful!' and sitting in the shade.”

Fruit beauty treatment Use fruit packs on cleaned, exfoliated skin.Blend the fruit well enough so it’s pulpy.Relax while you have it on your face, because it slides off being all slippery.Wear not-so-favorite-clothes Some fruit masks are too slippery to stay on face. In such cases, add some grounded oats to get a good consistency. This holds good for any runny consistency.Always extend the mask up to your neck. It gets the same exposure like your facial skin.

1. Banana Fruit Face Pack for cleansing

Ingredient:

Ripe banana

Method:

Mash in the ripe banana and apply on your face and neck.Add in some honey/lemon if you have acne.Wash off after 15-20 minutes

2. Tomato Fruit Face Mask for Oily skin:

This helps a lot in clearing the scarring and pimples also.

Ingredient:

TomatoMethod:

Squeeze a tomato and apply on your skin.The seeds give a scrubbing action while you wash it off.

3. Grape Fruit Pack for Acne:

Grape Face Mask

Ingredient:

Grape pulpMethod:

Mash the grapes to obtain the pulp of the fruit.Apply onto your face.Leave on till it driesWash it offYou can apply it to get rid of blemishes and minor acne.

4. Papaya Fruit pack for glowing skin:

This natural face mask is wonderful for tanned skin. It rejuvenates skin like a charm.

Ingredients:

Papaya pulpMethod:

Take a ripe papaya, and scoop out the pulp.Massage on to damp skin for 15-20 minutes and wash it away.

5. Cucumber Fruit Face Pack for dry skin:

Cucumber

Cucumber has the property of cooling down skin and this mask is best suited for dry skinned beauties.

Ingredients:

Cucumber juiceMethod:

Grate some cucumber and apply the juice on your face and neck. Let it dry naturally.The pulp can be refrigerated and used as an eye pack.

6. Strawberry Face Pack for dull and tanned skin:

Strawberry Face Mask 1

This is one of the best masks out there to clean dull, tanned skin.

Ingredient:

Strawberry pulpWaterMethod:

Grind some strawberry pulp with a little water and apply it to your face.Wash off after a while and say hello to beautiful skin.

7. Kiwi Fruit Pack for tan:

kiwi fruit benefits

Ingredients:

Kiwi pureeYogurtMethod:

Puree the kiwi and add in a spoon of yogurt.Massage on to your skin.Wash away after 20 minutes.

8. Mixed Fruit Face Pack for toning the skin:

Mixed Fruit Face Masks

This clubs in the goodness of all fruits! This fruit facial for oily skin does wonders.

Ingredients:

Pulp of all the fruits you can find in your market placeMethod:

Just add in a spoonful of each pulp.Thoroughly massage your skin.

All in the name ??“What’s in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet”- Romeo and Juliet

Mother-in-Law’s Cushion or Hens and Chicks certainly don’t sound like plants that are easy on the eyes. But, like William Shakespeare’s Juliet said, does the name itself really matter?!

Sausage TreeThe sausage tree’s fruit is highly poisonous when eaten raw, but is fermented, dried or roasted to be consumable. Be careful if you ever come across one of these trees — the fruit, which can weigh over 20 pounds, can really hurt someone if it falls!

Mother-In-Law’s-CushionYes as you can believe this is a very prickly Cactus!!

Kiss-Me-Over-the-Garden-GateI like the sound of this one ! and it appears to have it's name for no other reason than it looks good grown against a fence...would you believe ?

Obedient Plantwould you credit it, finally a plant that will do as you want Smile

Hens and ChickA small succulent....

Resurrection FernSo named as it appears to rise from the dead...muhahahah.. it can appear to dry out, but as soon as it gets a drink it pops back at you.

Monkey Puzzle TreeSimply named this because when it was imported from Chile someone said “It would puzzle a monkey to climb that,”

A teaspoon of sugar is another good one to keep fresh cut flowers looking better for longer and it wont make them fat

COFFEE GROUNDS MAKE GOOD FERTILIZER COFFEE GROUNDS – Acid-loving plants such as Blueberries, Roses, Tomatoes, Azaleas,Camellias and Rhododendrons may well get a boost out of coffee grounds sprinkled around your prized plants. A cold dose of black coffee is the other option , both adding nitrogen. Here is a recipe for used coffee groundsAdd 6 cups of coffee grounds to a 5 gallon bucket of water.Let the mixture stand for 2 or 3 days and then soak the soil around your plants.In simple terms nitrogen help stimulate the growth of your plant.

EGG SHELLS are a useful addition to the garden as they are 93% calcium carbonate, virtually the same ingredient as lime.Wash them, then crush. Add the shell pieces into the soil around tomatoes and peppers. The calcium in the shell will help to fend off blossom end rot.

how about this for a great idea?BANANA PEELS - Simply throw one or two peels in the hole before planting .

Roses need love potassium and this idea could help produce bigger and more flowers.

WEEDS – You’ve got your own fertilizer growing in your garden or allotment stinging nettles, comfrey, dockleaves, burdock, horsetail and chickweed all make wonderful homemade fertilizer. There are several ways you can use them to make your own fertilizer but in my opinion liquid fertilizer rules. Use an old water butt or similar, fill the butt 2/3rds and add the ingredients listed above, the more the better until the water reaches the top of the butt, let the weeds soak for 7 days. after this time you can remove the foliage and put on the compost heap. top up the water butt to the top with fresh water, If you have been brewing for 7 days the liquid will be good to use as is across the garden .

For an extended brew, and it stinks,believe me place a bunch of weeds leaves and all in a large bucket. bash and crush the leaves with a stick. Ensure the leaves are covered with water. Stir weekly and wait 3-5 weeks for the contents to get thick an gooey. dilute to use, it should look like weak tea when diluted

I have to stick my oar in here, not because I disagree..but.... I got taken out.. (yeah don't faint! for coffee!) and we went into a well known coffee house ! and they were changing the filter machines and being ever cheeky as I am I said excuse me what do you do with those, and they explained.. so I then said could I have them please ??? the reply...yes, how much do you want, let us know how frequently you want them and we'll hold them for you !! resounding result me thinks...so go and see what old coffee grounds you can get for free, cause as said they make excellent fertilizer....worth a try ......its worked for me

WOWseriously that is brilliant.form an orderly queue

True or False

Dry-tolerant plants don’t need to be watered.False Even the hardiest cactus needs the odd drink. But the secret to the success of dry-tolerant plants is to establish them correctly. Some plant species – like many natives – can survive extended dry spells once they've developed a mature root system.

True or False

Planting holes for trees etc. need to be twice the size of the root ball? False Digging the soil and improving the quality by adding composts or manures is key to beneficial planting. most plant root activity is in about the top 20cm of the soil – this even applies to large shrubs. So, the size of a planting hole should be at least twice as wide as the pot or root ball. This allows the roots to quickly reach into the surrounding soil. Instead, simply break up the soil in the base of the planting hole to improve drainage[/color]

True or False

Stressed plants will improve if you feed them.False Stressed plants generally won’t respond to fertiliser, unless they’re simply lacking in the correct nutrients. Lack of water is the single most likely cause and giving them a good water will eradicate the problem. Or it could be soil compacted too tightly, a change in soil pH insect or fungus attack, an environmental change (such as removal of shade) or poor positioning.

True or False

Orange peel scattered in the garden will keep cats at bay.TrueCats will rub against you, and spray and urinate in odd places. They’re leaving their scent, marking their people and their territory. Cats use their sense of smell to navigate and distinguish friend from foe. But certain smells can disrupt a cat’s ability to read scent traces, so it can’t be sure if it’s in safe or hostile territory. Citrus-based smells confuse them So if cats are digging up your garden and using it as a toilet, and you don’t mind the look of a bit of orange peel, it may be a repellent worth trying.

True or False

The white fungus in mulch is bad news for your plants and soil.FalseIt’s quite common to find a white, or off-white, mushroom-smelling material in your mulch just below the surface. This is called mycelium and it’s the underground part of fungi. The fungi you’re used to seeing are its fruiting bodies – mushrooms and toadstools – which arise from the mycelium. In most circumstances, mycelium is harmless to your garden and plants. It may actually be beneficial in terms of helping to decompose plant material, such as waste leaves and twigs, while adding valuable organic matter

Ladybirds belong to the scientific family Coccinellidae. In Britain, some 46 species belong to this family, although only 26 of these are recognisably ladybirds.

Diet: Mostly carnivores: Most ladybirds feed exclusively on aphids (greenfly and blackfly). Some ladybirds will feed on red spider mites. A few South African species of ladybird are entirely vegetarian.

AHHH but did you know that Ladybirds can eat upto 5,000 aphids in their life time ........well ? did ya ?Guru

Life span: About one year to 3 years

Ladybirds are generally considered useful insects and one of the greatest allies of the farmer and the gardener as many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. They are nature’s own ‘pest’ controllers and are more effective than poisonous chemicals.

Their bright colour and pattern not only make them attractive visitors to the garden, but also help to protect them by warning potential predators of their distastefulness. They exude an unpleasant yellow substance (reflex blood) from their leg joints when attacked which is rich in toxic alkaloids. Their colouring is likely a reminder to any animals that have tried to eat their kind before: "I taste awful." A threatened ladybird may both play dead and secrete the unappetizing substance to protect itself.

Ladybirds lay hundreds of eggs in the colonies of aphids and other plant-eating pests. When they hatch, the ladybird larvae immediately begin to feed.They are commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, head and antennae. However, a very large number are mostly, or entirely, black, grey, or brown. Conversely, there are many small beetles that are easily mistaken for ladybirds, such as the tortoise beetles. Not all ladybirds have spots - some are striped.

Ladybirds are called Ladybugs in the US. In Europe they are alse referred to as lady beetles. They have many regional names (now mostly disused)

in the UK such as the lady-cows, may-bug, golden-knop, golden-bugs (Suffolk); and variations on Bishop-Barnaby (Norfolk dialect) – Barnabee, Burnabee, the Bishop-that-burneth, and bishy bishy barnabee.In some predatory Ladybirds their mandibles are powerfully built and often used to rip and crush prey, where as in some their mandibles have been adapted to form a tube like a hypodermic needle through which they can inject enzymes and ultimate suck out the liquidized body contents of their victims. Whereas herbivorous Ladybirds use an adapted cutting edge to scrape and a comb edge if they’re fungal based feeders.

No Ladybirds do not bite! Well there is one exception which is the multicoloured Asian Ladybird. They nibble rather than bite and it's not a sinking of teeth or even a drawing of blood.Throughout the world superstition states that it is unlucky to kill a ladybird and there are myths surrounding their good fortune.

A common myth is that the number of spots on the

insect's back indicates its age.

In late autumn and early winter it's not uncommon to find ladybirds huddled together in large groups, sometimes numbering thousands. Ladybirds hibernate through the winter as adult insects, so this is the time when they start looking for suitable sites. Different species will usually hibernate in different places. Some shelter under tree bark, others sleep under leaf litter etc.

In the summer months ladybirds give off a faint scent, which is thought to deter potential predators. In the winter this 'ladybird perfume' could be one of the ways they find each other at hibernation sites.Ladybugs aren't really bugs at all, they're beetles!Entomologically speaking, the term bugs applies to insects of the order Hemiptera. Ladybugs belong to the order Coleoptera, or beetles. Europeans have called these dome-backed beetles by the name ladybirds, or ladybird beetles, for over 500 years. In America, the name ladybird was replaced by ladybug. Scientists usually prefer the common name lady beetles.

The "lady" in ladybug refers to the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that crops in Europe during the Middle Ages were plagued by pests, so the farmers began praying to the Blessed Lady, the Virgin Mary. Soon, the farmers started seeing ladybugs in their fields, and the crops were miraculously saved from the pests. They associated their good fortune with the black and red beetles, and so began calling them lady beetles. In Germany, these insects go by the name Marienkafer, which means Mary beetles. The 7-spotted lady beetle is believed to be the first named for the Virgin Mary; the red color represents her cloak, and the black spots represent her sorrows.

Pelleted seeds... these have been coated to make handling easier..

Open -pollinated seed... theses are the "conventional" or "standard " type.. nothing has been done to these, so generally the cheapest..

Dressed seeds... these have been coated with a fungicide before they are packed...

Chitted seed... These have been germinated and must be planted upon purchase...Vacuum -packed seed... these are in a little foil packet that has been hermetically sealed so the seeds are viable for longer...

Saved seeds... what has been saved from last years sowing...F1 hybrid seed... This is a variety that has been carefully crossed with another ( from 2 pure breeds) to increase growth, uniformity, shape and height, they tend to be more expensive but have better results, but for the amateur the drawback maybe is that they will all be ready to pick/harvest at the same time...

Home grown seed... it's tempting to save seed from what you harvest, in most cases in my experience, they either may not breed true (f1) or may not yield crops so well, the only ones that may prove the exception to this rule is/are beans, peas and onions

Planting you Willow rods is best done during the winter or very early spring, they really need to NOT be in leaf when planted, before planting stand them in a

bucket of water to ensure they have had a good drinkIf you plant as late as May you reduce your chance by nearly half of them taking !!!Wild garlic according to old "Lore"---a rabbit refuses to cross the boundary of planted garlic.

Chives planted near an apple tree is supposed to stop the tree getting scab

it is said that if you plant the humble "houseleek" near the house it will prevent lightning striking your home.

Parsley ...If sown on Good Friday will bring happiness and fortune.

ohhh my !!!!

Fennel is supposed to have magical powers !! If you attach is to your mower or any other garden power tools, if you then praise the tool, it will always start first time !!

The root of Parsley is considered bad luck , if you bring it into the house.

Primroses in the house are also considered bad luck.

In Cornwall it was often required that the gooseberry was in leaf before runner beans were planted.

Potatoes should be planted on Good Friday !

According to Appalchian Lore, never plant similar sounding veg together, e.g potato and tomato.

Soak lettuce and chicory seeds in rose water first... the crop will taste sweeter.

To ward of pigeons, paint a few bottles red and upend them on sticks near the plants.

The wild foxglove is a fairy plant in folk-tradition The Irish believe that foxgloves in the house are unlucky.

Plant some Fritillaria imperialis bulbs in the same area as the plants you want to protect. These bulbs have a peculiar smell which helps repel squirrels, moles, and deer

Honeysuckle, if brought into the house brought badluck in Wales but foretold a wedding in Somerset.

The wild foxglove is a fairy plant in folk-tradition The Irish believe that foxgloves in the house are unlucky.

A gardener should curse with great gusto while planting basil seeds, otherwise they won't grow!

In Norfolk, lilac was considered unlucky.

In the last century in England, a bunch of violets worn around the neck or in the lapel protected against drunkenness.

In the last century in England, a bunch of violets worn around the neck or in the lapel protected against drunkenness.

Sage thrives in the garden of a woman who rules her household, and her husband firmly.

Red and whte flowers in the same vase were unlucky, and even today some nurses will not have these flowers intogether in their wards. as it represents blood and sheets

Blue and orange flowers were welcome in homes and hospitals as these colours calm the nerves

Plants and seeds should not be put into the ground when the moon is waxing; as the moon grows, so do the seeds. But trees can be cut down and plants picked more easily if done when the moon is on the wane.

There is another old saying that when planting peas and beans, the rows should always run north and south. This makes total sense as the sun moves from east to west and gives the plants maximum sunshine.

African marigolds have a pungent smell and if planted at the ends of broad bean rows, they will ward off blackfly.If planted among cabbages etc whiterfly will move to another garden!

Before planting peas, line the trench with holly leaves to prevent field mice. PARSLEY HINTS

Parsley should never be transplanted, but grown from seed.

Parsley takes seven weeks to germinate and one belief is that it grows down to the devil and then up again.

When the parsley does grow, it should be picked, and never give it away as misfortune is sure to follow.

Parsley is not only a sure sign of a strong woman, but it will only grow outside the home of an honest man.