Herald - Issue 401

Page 38 • The HERALD • 28th January 2021 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v | DOWN THE GARDEN PATH | 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 is month there are signs of the approaching spring, with bulbs appearing and wildlife waking up as light levels and temperatures increase. ere’s plenty to do indoors this month to prepare for the season ahead. Outdoors, as the garden comes to life again, it’s time to prune shrubs and climbers, such as Wisteria as well as evergreen hedges. Top 10 jobs this month 1. Prepare vegetable seed beds, and sow some vegetables under cover. 2. Chit potato tubers. 3. Protect blossom on apricots, nectarines and peaches. 4. Net fruit and vegetable crops to keep the birds o . 5. Prune winter- owering shrubs that have nished owering. 6. Divide bulbs such as snowdrops, and plant those that need planting ‘in the green’. 7. Prune Wisteria. 8. Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges. 9. Prune conservatory climbers such as bougainvillea. 10. Cut back deciduous grasses le uncut over the winter, remove dead grass from evergreen grasses. BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME IN MIDWINTER by the Foresters Flower Club Now winter has set in and deciduous shrubs are providing a di erent aspect to the view from our windows, we could do with a splash of colour to remind us that spring is not too far away. Twigs, branches, and stems give structure and as ower arrangers we are quick to adapt to more minimal structural arrangements for the season. We are surrounded by wonderful natural beauty. Many have become more aware of our environment and are trying to reduce the use of oral foam. With this in mind, a quick design can be achieved using a vase and twigs and/or sticks. A vase with a reasonable opening is required. Ensure a clean container as any bacteria will shorten the life of your plant material. Fill with fresh water and consider adding a dessert spoon of sterilising liquid into the water to keep the container and water fresh. Now wander around the garden cutting a selection of stems, making sure they are about 1.5 times the height of your container. Place stems into the vase. Once a good number are packed in, use them as mechanics for owers you might wish to arrange. read owers, e.g., lilies, carnations, chrysanthemums carefully through the twigs, varying the height of any owers to add interest and depth to the display. No owers, but want to add another point of interest? Consider seed heads such as poppy, alliums, agapanthus. If your container is smaller, keep everything in scale by using lighter stems and possibly spray carnations. If you prefer not to use owers you can have a seasonal display of di erent coloured and textured stems – silhouetted against a window this can look very stylish. Foresters Flower Club hopes everyone keeps safe and we hope you will enjoy working with owers and plant material – it is relaxing and can do wonders for our sense of well-being. Enjoy. ere will not be a meeting in February, and we will update everyone in March about future plans, pandemic deciding! For more information contact Debbie orne on: 07769 830752 February - Spring is in Sight Advice from RHS Flower Display created by club Chairlady, Marion Catt