A dangerous moss killer - Country diary, 6 February 1919

6 February 1919 When spraying the caustic soda one has to be careful not to get on the wrong side of the wind

I am always glad when I have safely finished the washing of the fruit trees with caustic soda; it is such dangerous stuff. When measuring out the powder (1lb. to four gallons of water) one’s eyes and throat smart, and later, when spraying with a fine nozzle, one has to be careful not to get the wrong side of the wind. I chose what seemed a perfectly still day, but the very fine spray was sensitive to tiresome little veering gusts, and I was glad I was wearing glasses and gloves. But what satisfaction to see the result! I had just put in some young fruit trees, well grown and likely, but decidedly dirty with moss. Now the moss it entirely destroyed, and in time this batch of trees will have bark as bright and clean as those which have been cared for every year in the little plot.

Related: Say goodbye to slugs, snails, mice and badgers

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from Property | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2Bidi4l
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A dangerous moss killer - Country diary, 6 February 1919

6 February 1919 When spraying the caustic soda one has to be careful not to get on the wrong side of the wind

I am always glad when I have safely finished the washing of the fruit trees with caustic soda; it is such dangerous stuff. When measuring out the powder (1lb. to four gallons of water) one’s eyes and throat smart, and later, when spraying with a fine nozzle, one has to be careful not to get the wrong side of the wind. I chose what seemed a perfectly still day, but the very fine spray was sensitive to tiresome little veering gusts, and I was glad I was wearing glasses and gloves. But what satisfaction to see the result! I had just put in some young fruit trees, well grown and likely, but decidedly dirty with moss. Now the moss it entirely destroyed, and in time this batch of trees will have bark as bright and clean as those which have been cared for every year in the little plot.

Related: Say goodbye to slugs, snails, mice and badgers

Continue reading...

from Home And Garden | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2Bidi4l
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For juicy fruit grow your own wine grapes https://t.co/z3WC7NsjVD Solicitors & Estate Agents In One Just £899 + vat .. https://t.co/eLmKfiYyW9

For juicy fruit grow your own wine grapes https://t.co/z3WC7NsjVD Solicitors & Estate Agents In One Just £899 + vat .. https://t.co/eLmKfiYyW9 (via Twitter http://twitter.com/conveyandmove/status/1092017929388994562)

For juicy fruit grow your own wine grapes

Harvesting from your own vine is an enticing prospect. To avoid disappointment, choose the right varieties

Ever dreamed of picking grapes from your own vine? Well, before you do, I’ll let you in on a super-simple (but surprisingly little-known) trick that UK growers can use to dramatically boost the flavour of their home-grown grapes without any extra effort. Coincidentally, the same tip could improve the nutrient content of your harvests and simultaneously provide you with a crop that is literally unbuyable in the supermarkets. What on earth is it? Well, simply plant a wine grape variety instead of a table variety – and now is the perfect time to do it. Here’s how it works…

Wine grapes, one might assume, would be simply too unpalatably sour to make good eating. Wrong…

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from Property | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2sZCW9y
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For juicy fruit grow your own wine grapes

Harvesting from your own vine is an enticing prospect. To avoid disappointment, choose the right varieties

Ever dreamed of picking grapes from your own vine? Well, before you do, I’ll let you in on a super-simple (but surprisingly little-known) trick that UK growers can use to dramatically boost the flavour of their home-grown grapes without any extra effort. Coincidentally, the same tip could improve the nutrient content of your harvests and simultaneously provide you with a crop that is literally unbuyable in the supermarkets. What on earth is it? Well, simply plant a wine grape variety instead of a table variety – and now is the perfect time to do it. Here’s how it works…

Wine grapes, one might assume, would be simply too unpalatably sour to make good eating. Wrong…

Continue reading...

from Home And Garden | The Guardian http://bit.ly/2sZCW9y
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Time to dig and clear – but beware the cold | Allan Jenkins https://t.co/ab6zQOcHSF Solicitors & Estate Agents In One Just £899 + vat .. https://t.co/eLmKfiYyW9

Time to dig and clear – but beware the cold | Allan Jenkins https://t.co/ab6zQOcHSF Solicitors & Estate Agents In One Just £899 + vat .. https://t.co/eLmKfiYyW9 (via Twitter http://twitter.com/conveyandmove/status/1091943689541308417)

Time to dig and clear – but beware the cold | Allan Jenkins

February is a month for maintenance and chitting first earlies

Preparation, preparation, preparation. February is the month of maintenance. The time for digging in organic matter. Try to pick a dry day, not too cold – you are not looking to move frozen soil up to the surface.

Sort your garden borders. Get ready. The days are getting longer, from an hour and a half to around two hours by the end of the month depending on how far north you are. Note that this doesn’t mean warmer. February is a harsh month, a time of frost, with a mean temperature in the UK of around 1 C. So dig and clear, enjoy the good work, get your sowing beds ready because seeds will start going in soon.

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