Huddersfield Examiner - Features & Leisure - Gardening Tips

Gardening: Black lily grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’)

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

COMMONLY known as lilyturf, this striking black grass-like perennial which originates from Japan looks brilliant framing the front of a border with its curved, strap-shaped purplish-black leaves, which grow to around 35cm (14in) long.

Gardening: Jobs to do this week

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Complete the pruning of greenhouse vines while they are still dormant and remove loose bark which may harbour pests.

Gardening: Mild Winter may reap less fruit

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The mild winter may reduce the autumn harvests of apples but there could be rich pickings in other crops such as figs, HANNAH STEPHENSON reports

Gardening: Broad beans

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

TENDER young broad beans may not be as popular as French or runner, but they are packed with protein and highly versatile, ideal for eating hot or cold and they also freeze well.

Gardening: Three ways to... make a winter wonderland

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

USE plants with decorative seedheads such as teasel, Eryngium giganteum and Lunaria annua (Honesty), all of which provide eye-catching architecture to your border.

Gardening: Take note of unusual birds in your garden

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

As the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch approaches, HANNAH STEPHENSON looks at the types of birds dominating the garden scene and how to attract specific birds through wildlife-friendly planting and a rich variety of bird food

Gardening: Snowdrop is best of the bunch

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

WHILE other plants might fail in particularly harsh or warm winters, the humble snowdrop can be relied upon to appear whatever the weather.

Gardening: Jobs and tips

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Make sure that tender and half-hardy fuchsias, remaining dormant in their pots, do not become completely dry. Spray any early growth with tepid water in the light to soften the wood, but do this sparingly.

Gardening: Time to get chitting

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

GIVE seed potatoes a head start by ‘chitting’ them now. Buy seed potatoes from garden centres and lay them on trays or in egg cartons on a well-lit windowsill, but out of direct sunlight.

Gardening: Control earwigs

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Fill upturned flowerpots with straw or shredded paper and place them on top of canes close to vulnerable plants. These will trap them. Check the pots daily.

Gardening: How to prolong the life of your poinsetita

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:00:00 GMT

IF YOUR poinsettia has made it happily through Christmas, you may be able to make it bloom again for the next festive season.

Gardening: How to grown turnips

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

NO HAGGIS feast would be the same without 'neeps and tatties', which may prompt you to try to grow some in the new year.

Gardening: Top tips for the garden

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Replace external shed hinges (those with screws on the outside) with internal ones.

Gardening: Plant ideas border on the inspirational

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The new year is a good time to plan a new border. Hannah Stephenson offers some ideas on border design and gives tips on how to minimise maintenance

Gardening: Which feathered friends have visited my garden over the years

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

FOR over 25 years I have observed the various birds that choose to visit my little piece of Planet Earth in Netherton, without the restrictions of Spring Watch, Autumn Watch and the RSPB Great Garden Bird Watch.

Gardening: Sow those show onions now for a bumper crop

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

For those of you with protective growing areas, get your show onions sown now for a bumper crop in August.

Gardening: Time to sort out those planting and sowing dates

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

1Vegetables – organise your new 2012 gardening diary with sowing and planting dates to help get maximum use out of your land. Write out labels if you have received your seed order. Look out for good deals on decent multi-purpose compost over the next few weeks.

Gardening: Perfect place to learn about growing fruit and veg

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

RAIN Garden kits are an exciting new range of products to help you take advantage of the rainwater that cascades off the roof of your house every time it rains.

Gardening: Graham Porter’s garden plant favourites

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IN THE second article that I wrote, when I started this page in August 1999, I listed and detailed 10 of my favourite plants and, having reviewed it , I thought you might like to be reminded of some of them.

Gardening: Flower and plant shows for 2012

Huddersfield Examiner — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

1Dates for your 2012 Diary – Harrogate Spring Flower Show runs from April 26 to 29 – for details visit www.flowershow.org.uk for details and to order tickets or call 01423 546157 for information.