Page 58 • The HERALD • 5th June 2025 v THE NEXT HERALD IS OUT ON 26TH JUNE v DOWN THE GARDEN PATH • All types of trees expertly felled, topped & pruned • Stump Grinding • Hedges pruned & trimmed • Lawns Laid • Fencing & garden work • Rubbish Clearance • Patios & drives jet-washed • Patios & Drives resurfaced or replaced Registerd Waste Carrier Licence CBDU374716 H Fully Insured H Evening: 01794 522092 Daytime Mobile: 07511 863693 Email: treefellers@gmx.com Telephone Richard 023 8084 9637 | Grass Cutting | Edges Trimmed | Hedge Trimming | PRESSURE WASHING OF DECKS, PATIOS & DRIVES | FENCE & SHEDS PAINTED QuickSmart Garden Services Professional & Reliable Fred Hurst 023 8084 2191 or 07761 467217 • Grass Cutting • Garden Clearance • Hedge Cutting • Fallen Trees Cleared • Mini Digger Hire with Operator • Property Clearance • Small Demolition • Tractor Flail Cutting FULLY INSURED v FREE QUOTATIONS All Aspects of Garden Work Undertaken • Driveways • Paving • Artificial Grass • Turfing • Decking • Fencing • Hedge Cutting • Landscaping Hythe Garden Contractors Family company established 1977 For a free quotation please call 023 8084 3556 or 023 8084 0378 Beekeepers Repeat Calls For Yellow-Legged ‘Asian’ Hornet Vigilance e British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA) are calling on the public to be vigilant and look out for yellowlegged ‘Asian’ hornets (YLAH) once again this year, as we head into the warmer months. YLAH are an incredibly destructive invasive species that specialise in preying on honey bees and other vital pollinators – one nest of hornets alone can consume over 11kg of insects in a year. First discovered in the UK in 2016, the insect has travelled to our shores from Europe, where it is now established in a number of countries. By 2022, just 16 YLAH nests had been discovered in this country. But in 2023, this increased dramatically to 72 nests in 56 di erent locations – more than the previous 6 years combined, with Kent and the South East most predominantly a ected. Incursions have also been reported in a number of other locations across the country, including as far north as Scotland. 2024 was a quieter year, with 24 nests found and destroyed, leading the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology to conclude in a study that the preventative measures put in place had so far proved successful in stopping the spread of the hornets. But the BBKA are emphasising that the public need to remain vigilant with a renewed commitment to continuing e orts to improve knowledge around these insects, which could New Forest and District Beekeeping Association have informed us that already this year 2 queen YLAH have been discovered locally, one in Marchwood and one in Hythe and they are pursuing a possible sighting in Langley. A yellow-legged hornet can be identi ed by its very distinct markings - they’re slightly smaller than the European hornet and are black with distinct yellow lower leg. Any suspected sightings should be reported on the Asian Hornet Watch app, which is available to download on iOS and Android. Expert teams from the National Bee Unit, part of Defra, will then be deployed to track hornets back to their nests, which are then destroyed. Reporting a possible sighting is quick, free, and easy and has the potential to make a huge di erence in the ght against this invasive species. turn up anywhere in the country. is is not just a problem for beekeepers, but one that wider society needs to engage in and help nd solutions to if we are to prevent the ecological damage that could result from the establishment of this species in the UK. Think you’ve seen an Asian Hornet? Report it! MAKE YOUR OWN HOME COMPOST Advice from British Garden Centres What is home composting? Home composting is a simple yet powerful way to transform everyday garden and kitchen waste into a rich, nutritious soil conditioner that keeps plants strong and healthy. By improving soil structure, compost helps sandy soils retain moisture and enhances drainage in heavier clay soils, creating an ideal environment for helping your plants grow. It also o ers a fantastic way to recycle your household and garden materials into nutrient-rich compost that bene ts your garden soil and plants. Beyond the common items like grass cuttings, leaves, and vegetable peelings, there are many other everyday household materials you can add to your compost bin. What can I compost at home? e most obvious things to compost at home are garden waste such as weeds, leaves, debris, cuttings and toilet roll tubes, and egg cartons, as these act as “brown” carbon-rich ingredients that help keep the compost aerated and prevent it from becoming too wet or compacted. Other household items suitable for composting include hair and nail clippings, natural bres such as wool and cotton (in small amounts), and even small amounts of wood ash, which adds minerals in the soil. Used kitchen towels can also be added, as they break down well and contribute to the carbon content. We advise not to add any glossy or waxed papers, plastic-coated packaging, or anything with synthetic materials to your compost, as this is very hard to decompose. Green and brown When composting, it’s important to balance “green” nitrogen-rich materials and “brown” carbon-rich materials. Greens include fresh grass clippings, so prunings and cuttings, young weeds, and kitchen scraps, which provide the nitrogen needed for microorganisms to thrive. Browns include dried leaves, cardboard, shredded paper, straw, and woody hedge trimmings, which provide carbon and help maintain air spaces in the pile. How to start your compost bin Set up your compost bin or heap in a sheltered, shady spot in your garden, ideally on bare soil to allow bene cial soil organisms to access the pile and aid breakdown. You can buy a compost bin or build your own from wooden pallets. Layer your materials as you add them, mixing greens and browns, and turn the pile every three to four weeks to aerate it. is turning introduces oxygen, which is essential for the microbes breaking down the waste and speeds up the composting process. Amy Stubbs, Development & Project Manager at British Garden Centres, said, “Composting is a straightforward and rewarding thing that anyone can do, whether you have a small garden, a balcony, or even just a kitchen counter. It’s an easy way to reduce waste and enrich your soil naturally, making sustainable gardening accessible to all.” pruning. But did you also know that many kitchen scraps are excellent for composting? You can home compost your fruit and vegetable peelings, co ee grounds, tea leaves, and eggshells. Crushed eggshells can add valuable nutrients back into the soil, with the high level of calcium being very bene cial to plants and helping to moderate soil acidity. Just make sure you wash your egg shells before adding them to the compost. You can also compost paper products like plain cardboard, cereal boxes,
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