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WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN
Often overlooked, hygiene is of great importance to the gardener. When there is little to do outside, we can get ready for the next growing season. Organisms harmful to plants can lie dormant in soil residues found in pots or on tools. Scrub containers and seed trays in a disinfectant solution according to manufacturer’s instructions. Soil recovered from potting mixes can be used again if treated with disinfectant, potassium permanganate, bought from a chemical supplier and dissolved will do. If tomatoes are regularly grown in a greenhouse, it is likely that disease can be carried over to the next crop unless the soil is sterilised or completely changed, not always a practical solution.
Sweep a concrete surface and hose it down. Spread a 10cm layer of soil, apply the disinfectant solution with a watering can and cover. Leave it for a week and turn it. After two weeks, the soil can be used. Soil sterilisers can be bought but one can be improvised. Fill a twenty litre drum to a depth of 10cm with water, place a few bricks in the bottom and heat it over a small fire. Fill a small sack with the soil and suspend it over the boiling water. Remove it when the soil is hot to the touch. Garden ponds are in need of attention at this time. Fish will survive the hardest frost if the water is 40cm deep. Their life processes slow down and they move as little as possible to conserve energy. There is no need to feed the fish. Do not hammer on the ice to break it, heavy blows can harm fish. If the ice needs to be broken, make a hole with a sharp spike and lever the ice with a piece of timber. Clear the surface of the water of any leaves, twigs and stalks. Water lilies should survive well provided their roots are well below the water. More Information GO TO NEXT
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WEEK'S "WHAT TO DO"
DECEMBER 16th to 22nd
For more detailed information and timings go to our individual
vegetable,
herb and
fruit pages. If you want to see a
condensed vegetable advice page with planting, sowing, care and
harvesting information for the entire year on one page then go to our
vegetable calendar.