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Jungle rot *  - The composting issue

Happy New year 2018 to all of you! Here is our little list of things to do ..



January jobs:
  Missed out on the bulb season? Do not despair you can always get them "in the green".. not as cheap but still worth it
  Check grease bands are still sticky and in place around fruit trees
  Pruning waste Garden Bonfire  - scatter the cold charcoal around fruit trees.

  Prune your Wisteria plant now, cut back side-shoots to 2 or 3 buds.
  Prune rose bushes now whilst they are dormant. Cut back to just above a bud and remove any crossing or dead branches.

  Cut back the old foliage from ornamental grasses.
  Plan next year’s garden now. Try to have something in flower year-round 
  Start ordering and planting seeds and start them of indoors
  Remember to provide food and water for the birds and wildlife in your garden.

Composting

This is one of the thing we always advise our clients whenever we see a free space, hidden away in their gardens..


The science behind composting:
The heat is produced by the metabolism of microorganisms as they decompose organic matter. Chemistry plays a role in composting because for rapid microbial growth you need to provide the right mix of nutrients, primarily carbon and nitrogen. 

The many benefits of composting:

  It's free!
  It's good for the environment: Compost is a mild, slow release, natural fertilizer that won't burn plants like chemical fertilizers.
 Compost improves soil quality

  Reduces waste
  It's free!

 

There are different types of garden composting. These are the main ones - decide which one suits you and your lifestyle!

  Yard trimmings.
  Food waste.
  Leaves.
  Manure (cow, horse, sheep, poultry)
  Mushroom compost.
  Vermicomposting.

 

Main composting methods and where to get some of them

  Closed bins
  Hot bins:
https://www.greenfingers.com/product.asp?dept_id=500655&pf_id=DD8282D
  Open bins
  Pit composting

Ideal if space is a important:
  Wormeries (surprising fun for all ages!): https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/wormeries.html
  Bokashi: https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/composting/bokashi.html

* Jungle Rot is the title track of 1975 album by US psych-blues musician George Brigman

Chimonanthus praecox 'Luteus'- yellow wintersweet


 If you are missing your trips to the nursery, this is the one to get!
Highly fragrant bowl-shaped, many-petalled flowers borne in winter on bare stems.

Chimonanthus is happy in any reasonable, well-drained garden soil and It likes a sunny, sheltered position.
It is a fast growing bush which can reach 3 m.

Our new and exciting section....  Vegetables in season!
 

January
Apples, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes, Turnips.


February
Apples, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Celeriac, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes.


March
Artichoke, Beetroot, Cabbage, Carrots, Chicory, Cucumber, Leeks, Parsnip, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Radishes, Rhubarb, Sorrel, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Watercress.

What have we been up to?

Quite a few new designs last year... and of course still looking after the ones we built and the established ones we maintain ...
Have a look at the gallery page on our website

 

Eager to learn more?


Revisit our previous Newsletter: www./blackdahliagardendesign.com/links.html
Our tips:  www./blackdahliagardendesign.com/links.html
Gardeners’s Question Time:  www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f
RHS advice:  www,rhs.org.uk/advice

If you have any questions or comments please do email us at info@blackdahliagardendesign.com
If you would like to discuss your garden project or arrange an initial consultation please contact Lola by email or telephone
(E) 
info@blackdahliagardendesign.com 
(T - Lola) +44(0)7968 356189 

Visit
our website to see what we do best!
If unsure you can contact us or the RHS for help (RHS members can send samples for assessment).






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BLACK DAHLIA GARDEN DESIGN · 5 Benyon Warf, 295 Kingsland Road · London, E8 4DQ · United Kingdom

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