Archive for November 2016

App-tastic

Published on 04:55 By Karen

As most people in their 20's, I'm somewhat attached to my phone. The fact it's an iPhone really doesn't help - so many apps to play around with, from BBC News to Snapchat. The great thing is, so many people are inventing 100's of apps a day, all catering to different people and needs. I thought I'd write a short blog on two that I've stumbled across that I think are brilliant for the 'modern' gardener.

So firstly, RHS. This is pretty much the bible for all gardeners. Their website is jam-packed with information on every plant you could possibly imagine. They have details on how to care for, possible pests and treatment, plus more. If I'm unsure of something, or have any problems in my garden, it's my go-to. They have loads of books available too if you want to stack your bookshelves full. However, now, they have an app. It's called 'RHS Grow Your Own' and looks like this:

It might have been available for a while, but I've only just discovered it, and I'm glad I have! You start by setting up your profile. You can then add all the plants you have in your garden to your profile. I've started with all the veggies I've planned for 2017; raspberries (not too relevant as they're not canes), tomatoes, courgettes, salad leaves, cucumbers, garlic, onions and peppers. It sends you calendar notifications of when to plant, tend to and harvest each one. For example, my app is telling me that my garlic can now be planted. Amazing.

If you're not sure what to grow, you can easily add in some details about your garden, for example the space you have and your level of expertise, and it will recommend what is suitable for planting in your garden. A nice bespoke touch.

Another great feature is the weather updates. You can say yes to receiving frost notifications. You just need to add your location/postcode, and it lets you know when to prepare for frost. Hence I'm now wrapping up my potted plants and less hardy ones in my bed!

Unfortunately this app is only available for iPhones at the moment, but it is free - hurrah! You can also pay to upgrade to have a fuller package which gives you access to more plants and info.

The second gem I've added to my many apps is the 'Garden Answers Plant Identification'. It's so handy for when you're wondering around gardens or spy a plant/flower when you're out and have no clue what it is! You simply open the app, snap the picture and wait for the plant to appear with it's name and description.

I've tried it with several indoor plants I've purchased that are just described as 'foliage cubes' or something nice and vague. Therefore, this app is super helpful to narrow down the plant so I can care for it appropriately.

The only trouble I've run into with this was the identification that appears are from other peoples plants - not a nice illustration from an expert as I'd hoped/assumed. If you are unable to locate the right plant from scrolling through the options given, you can pay for an expert to have a look and identify for you. Not something I would personally bother with though.

There are other features which help you with pests and problems too. I haven't explored these options yet, but I'm guessing they're similar in the way the app works with identification. This app actually has some awful reviews, but for what I want, it's good. Find links to both apps below:

iTunes - RHS GYO App

iTunes - Garden Answers Plant Identification App

Have you downloaded either of these apps and what're your thoughts? Have you tried any other gardening apps? I'd love to hear about them - just drop me a comment below.

xo

0 comments:

Wrapping Up

berry

Published on 23:25 By Karen

3 comments

It has taken a few weeks for me to realise winter is actually on our doorstep. I have been so engrossed with autumn that I was ignoring the fact the temperature had dropped rapidly, and weather warnings concerning frosts and snow were coming more regularly (more in the north luckily). So I've finally got my act into gear and am out in the garden clearing, sorting (and crying about winter approaching). I've had such a great year in the garden so I'm finding it hard to let go of the season and deal with the fact I'll be spending more time indoors by the radiator than outdoors digging, planting and harvesting.

My first priority is to prepare my more delicate plants for the over night frosts. As the frosts start approaching it is key to have your younger and less hardy plants protected. I've got several plants in pots that I've bought this year and haven't fully established themselves as it's only the first year for them. The plants I'm focussing on are my Raspberry 'Ruby Beauty ' (another one from last year too), Alstroemeria, Fuchsia 'FuchsiaBerry', Acer and Sambucus 'Black Tower'.

I find the easiest way is to buy some horticultural fleecing and wrap this around the base of the pot. The most important part of the plant are the roots, so there's less concern about protecting the top of the plant and more concern about protecting the base.

Work your way around, doubling up if needed, and secure once all the way around. I'm not an expert by any means, so have just used safety pins to keep together and wrapped it around twice to ensure the cold can't get in. The third picture shows that I've wrapped the top of the plant, you just need to ensure the base of the stem is protected, but I've done it like this for ease.

After struggling with my Acer 'Starfish' earlier in the year it's now performing brilliantly. I started using liquid seaweed fertilliser and it's worked a dream. The leaves have mostly fallen off (as it's meant to this time of year - no need for panic) and new buds have formed. I cannot tell you how excited I am for next year to see the growth of this beauty. So I was very keen to wrap and secure this plant for the winter. Due to the pot and plant size, this was far easier to just cover the base of the stem, and the pot.

Whilst clearing up the patio area I came across my Fuchsia FuchsiaBerry that I planted straight in the ground (I've got 3 in pots as well). They have only been in the ground since June but have taken really well. They were late to produce the berries, but the weather has been funny this year for plants, but now there's a handful ripened and ready to pick. So I took a few minutes out to try them. Such a bizzare taste - but quite nice! I'm going to leave it until next year when there's tons more (hopefully), and harvest them to make some Fuchsia Berry jam.

These Fuchsias are only half-hardy which means they won't tolerate temperatures in the minus (maybe a few degrees under, but I don't want to risk it). Therefore I've used some straw mulch to protect the base and roots of the plant. As with my potted plants, I've got several young plants that I've established well enough to go into my beds, but aren't yet hardy enough for the frosts. I've also had experiences from last year of losing plants and am being extra careful and cautious this year.

I've done my homework and know that straw is a good mulch to use as it provides good insulation due to fact it's hollow. You can also use bark or a leaves mulch. I wanted to use bark for asethetic reasons, but when popping into The Range the straw was just sat there waiting for me to buy. So maybe the bark will be used next year! Even though I've said I've been late on the prep-front, this time of year is probably the best to add your straw mulch, as any warmer and you might get some cheeky animals starting to nest in it.

My Hosta, Hydrangea, Euphorbia and Foxgloves are all receiving my winter treatment and I've added a decent layer of the mulch to the base of each one. I've read around and roughly 12-16inches of mulch is ideal to that to ensure full protection.

So that's my prep for this year all done. How do you protect your plants? Any tips - please drop me and comment

3 comments:

Autumn Appetite

allotment

Published on 15:00 By Karen

2 comments

Have I mentioned how much I love Autumn? Seeing all the orange, yellow and fiery red leaves falling and covering the ground is the best. On top of that you have Halloween, Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks and big jumpers to snuggle up in. It's also the time of the year where you start to think about turning the heating on and making some soup to warm up with. Last year I was all about my tomato soups, this year I decided to challenge myself and try a vegetable I hadn't grown or eaten before.

Halloween was only a few days ago, so it's the perfect time to use up the pumpkin you have carved, or buy a reduced one in the supermarket. I've never eaten pumpkin before, only carved a scary face in one, so thought it was the perfect time to try out a recipe using it.

As you might know, I work part time for Thompson and Morgan, and every year they have a record breaking pumpkin competition. I don't have the space for one of those in my garden, but am thinking of saving some seeds to try a few mini ones in the ground next year. Especially after trying this recipe, I KNOW I'd be eating them every week.

You will need:
1 medium sized pumpkin - 750g of the flesh cut into chunks
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 small onion, chopped
small piece of ginger, grated
400ml veggie stock
400ml coconut milk

Start by heating some oil in a large saucepan. Add your onion and stir until soft. Then add your garlic, ginger, chili and nutmeg. Stir for another minute until mixed in well.

Next, add your pumpkin, coconut milk and veggie stock.

You want to bring it to the boil, and then simmer down for 10-15minutes until your pumpkin has softened. Once softened, take off the heat and leave for 5minutes to cool down a little. Whilst it's cooling down, take some of the pumpkin seeds and spread out on a baking tray. Pop them in the oven to toast for a few minutes. I got distracted and mine are a little more toasted than I wanted... Whoops.

Now the mixture has cooled down slightly, you can add to your blender or food processor and break down the large chunks.

It all looks pretty beige and gross to be honest, but TRUST ME, it tastes like autumnal soup heaven.
Serve it up straight away with some fresh corriander and the toasted seeds.