hiya bucks Amersham, Beaconsfield, Chesham, Gerrards Cross, Missenden May 2018 | Page 8

COMPOST HEAPS PART 3 Continuing my blog on garden compost heaps, problems can develop with family members and neighbours. It is possible that a brown rat may appear, especially foraging for kitchen scraps that form part of the compost heap. This is quite normal, as rats are wild animals, equal but different to all other animals, living exactly where they ought to be. For many this perspective is unacceptable as brown rats are viewed as vermin or dislikeable animals. It is because they have been associated with the bubonic plague, despite the black rat being the likely animal. One rather ironic situation occurred some time ago when I was eating mushrooms and threw out some soggy and inedible ones, I spotted other mushrooms on the compost heap. The ® Cr e a ti n g h ea l t hy l aw n s f or We offer: Free lawn assessment and quotation Four seasonal treatments per year (from only £15 per treatment) Professional long-life feeds, specialist weed and moss control No contract to sign - simply pay as you go Aeration and scarification service A truly customer focused service with ongoing support and advice For your FREE lawn assessment please call Robert Southerden 01753 642443 hiyabucks.com Many people think that fungi are plants, because of their apparent similarities. Yet they are classified as a completely different life form or kingdom. Infact, fungi are more closely related to animals as they evolved directly from the animal kingdom millions of years ago, when they were very simple organisms. However, eons of evolution have made 19th MAY – li fe The key to any great lawn is regular weed and feed treatments Our expert service provides just that - ensuring you get the lawn you’ve always dreamed of 8 | penny dropped that for some people, fungi, both edible and poisonous, can be intriguing to identify. The Chilterns Conservation Board have organised a packed programme of events which includes over 80 guided walks and activities covering the whole of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which stretches from Oxfordshire through Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire into Hertfordshire. Included are specialist themed walks, opportunities to discover lively stories and a chance to view scenic landscapes associated with the Chilterns. Some walks include the prospect of sampling local food and drink, others provide ‘have-a-go’ sessions or the chance to learn about the area’s wildlife, history and colourful characters.