fungi, archaea( single-celled microorganisms), and protozoa( single-celled microorganisms which contain a nucleus). These microbes are vital for eating dead and decaying plants and animals. Some bacteria even eat rock!
• There’ s a poison garden in the UK. This is the Poison Garden at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland. The Chelsea Physic Garden in London also includes a dedicated area for poisonous plants, sited next to plants that have healing capabilities. Historically, this helped to teach apothecaries the importance of identifying both deadly and life-saving plants.
‘ Hybrid tea rose’
• One of the highest-maintenance plants growing in UK gardens is the hybrid tea rose. Roses are thirsty and hungry shrubs that require pruning twice a year. Repeatflowering varieties also need to be dead-headed. Diseases including blackspot and mildew are common. But if you opt for more informal shrub or species roses with open, single or semi-double blooms, these are more appropriate for a naturalistic, easy-going style of gardening. Just choose your varieties carefully, as modern breeding has improved many disease problems.
• The dandelion was once a useful food source, with medicinal value. Dandelion roots were cooked as a vegetable and leaves were used in salads. The yellow flowers would be used in wine and the dye could stain wool.
• There are around 200 slugs in an average square metre of garden.
A naturally occurring slug repellent
• Diatomaceous earth( DE) is a naturally occurring slug repellent. This white powder, made from fossilised remains of microscopic aquatic organisms called diatoms, doesn’ t harm the soil or pets.
‘ Buttercups are poisonous’
• Buttercups are poisonous. They can be fatal to grazing animals, including horses and cattle. All species of Ranunculus contain an oil which can cause severe mouth irritation and stomach upset if eaten. Because of this, most animals avoid them.
• Bananas are the most consumed fruit in the world. However, their security is precarious. While there are more than 1,000 varieties, we regularly eat just one: the Cavendish. These bananas are clones, grown from a slice of another Cavendish plant and not from seed. This means the plants are unable to evolve. The disease known as Panama wilt has destroyed banana plantations in Asia, Africa and Australia. If it were to spread far and wide, it could wipe out the monoculture, meaning we’ d no longer have bananas to eat.