Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2010 | Page 99

gardening Island Life - October/November 2010 Tina's gardening tips for October & November Magic of compost! Despite having been a gardener for 30 years, I’m still fascinated by the magic that happens inside my compost bin. Somehow with little effort on my part all my fruit and vegetable peelings, annual weeds and other garden debris are square wooden compost bins to miraculously transformed into a best produce compost, but even a rich dark brown mass that improves single plastic compost bin produces my soil in so many ways. Compost a useful amount, as well as helping Planting garlic now instead of waiting until is especially important if you dispose of lots of garden waste. spring it can benefit from a spell of cold grow plants organically, the many Successful compost making depends weather. Onion and shallot sets can also beneficial organisms in it help to on providing enough moisture, and a good balance of soft green and be planted to produce an earlier crop next make plants more disease resistant and vigorous. The organic matter in woodier materials. These are best compost helps break up heavy clay chopped or shredded so they break soils and adds bulk to sandy soils, down more easily. If I think there herbaceous plants (perennials that die making both more manageable and is too much green material I mix in back into the ground each winter). Select productive. (Whatever soil type you a few handfuls of shredded paper, the most vigorous pieces and replant have, compost will help to improve the worms seem to love it once it’s after adding bone meal and some garden it.) damp. Never add perennial weeds, diseased plants or cooked kitchen compost to the soil. Making compost is rather like making a good cake and takes some waste as these cause problems. practice to get the best results. Ideally you need three, metre year. Lift and divide weak or overgrown Give your lawn some attention. Dig out large weeds, spike compacted areas and re-seed any worn areas to prevent weeds invading. Use a special autumn feed if necessary. Clear leaves with a rake, or use a rotary mower, which chops them up so they rot more quickly. Sow sweet peas now in pots to provide early displays next year. Bare rooted fruit bushes and canes should be available to plant now, giving them plenty of time to establish. Next year’s runner bean trench provides the ideal way of disposing of green garden waste, make the trench at least 45cm deep. Protect winter cabbages and other brassicas with netting or other deterrents to prevent pigeons from devouring them. Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com 99