PLANT OUT SPRING BEDDING <br>
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<u><b>Wallflowers get their name from their habit of growing near stone walls. </b></u><br>
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<u><strong>Erysimum cheiri are shortlived evergreen perennials or <br>
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biennials often grown as spring bedding. </strong></u><br>
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You can buy them as plug plants now and get them <br>
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in the ground to flower early next year. This is a fun activity to do with children or grandchildren. All you need is a well-weeded <br>
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flower bed in a sunny spot, gardening gloves, and a trowel. <br>
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Dig a hole so that the base of the plant is level with the soil.<br>
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Pop in your young wallflower, firm the earth around it and water well.<br>
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Repeat, leaving 20cm between plants. <br>
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They can grow to up to 50cm high depending on the variety and come in a range <br>
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of bright colours. E. ‘Fireglow' is a dazzling red and <br>
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orange variety; E. ‘Bowles Mauve' is light purple, while E.<br>
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‘Sunset Primrose' is a fragrant lemon yellow. <br>
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Erysimum cheiri (pictured) are shortlived evergreen perennials or biennials often grown as spring <br>
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bedding<br>
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This is also the time to plant plugs of Sweet Williams (Dianthus <br>
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barbatus). These are also biennials or short-lived perennials which <br>
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grow to between 40 to 60cm with clusters of carnation-like flowers from February to June in colours <br>
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from white to deep pink, often in a combination of two tones.<br>
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They prefer well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun.<br>
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<u><i>POTATOES NEED LIFTING AND STORING </i></u><br>
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<u><i>Potatoes are ready to lift when the foliage starts to die down</i></u><br>
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Potatoes are ready to lift when the foliage starts to die down. Remove leaves with signs of blight.<br>
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Take care not to damage tubers, lift and leave them on the ground to <br>
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dry. <br>
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Place in a paper bag and keep them in the dark, so they <br>
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do not sprout. Check regularly, and dump any looking diseased. <br>
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<strong><u>BEAT THE SQUIRRELS </u></strong><br>
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<b>Harvest nuts before squirrels and birds make off with them</b><br>
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Harvest nuts before squirrels and birds make off with them.<br>
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Hazelnuts are ready when the husks turn yellow. Store in a dry room in a <br>
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net bag. Once they are fully dry, remove the husks. <br>
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Walnuts (Juglans regia) have a fibrous casing, which should be removed using gloves, before drying in a cool oven at 40C - then keep them in a dry place. <br>
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<strong><u>PLANT OF THE WEEK</u></strong><br>
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<b>ACTEA SIMPLEX (BRUNETTE) </b><br>
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Actea simplex or baneberry is a herbaceous perennial, <br>
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which grows well in moist soil in dappled shade. <br>
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In autumn, it produces spikes of tiny fragrant white flowers which are purple in bud.<br>
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These are a good source of late nectar for pollinating insects and are followed <br>
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by poisonous berries. <br>
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Actea simplex ‘Brunette' is a cultivar that has been given the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.<br>
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Its deep purplish brown foliage contrasts well with its ghostly white blooms. <br>
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Actea simplex (pictured) or baneberry is a herbaceous perennial,<br>
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which grows well in moist soil in dappled shade<br>
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<strong>READER'S QUESTION </strong><br>
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<b><u>Can you recommend good daffodils for pots? </u></b><br>
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<u><strong>Serena Dalton, Knutsford. </strong></u><br>
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Dwarf narcissi daffodils are ideal for pots and <br>
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make a cheerful welcome if you place them by your <br>
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front door<br>
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Dwarf narcissi are ideal for pots and make a cheerful welcome if you place <br>
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them by your front door. N. Tête-à-tête is a <br>
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classic miniature daff with golden yellow blooms.<br>
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N. ‘Jetfire' has a windswept appearance. <br>
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N. ‘More and More' is a dainty new dwarf variety that is long flowering.<br>
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Petticoat daffodils are also worth showing off in pots, with their bell-like blooms.<br>
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Try N. ‘White Petticoat' or N. ‘Mary Poppins' <br>
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with magical creamy white flowers. <br>
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PLANT OUT SPRING BEDDING <br>