Photosynthesis – turning sunlight into food
Most people have heard of photosynthesis, if only for use as an answer on quiz programmes. For gardeners though it is interesting to know a little of the science behind the only process that enables us to store and use energy from the sun. No photosynthesis, no food, no fossil fuel, not even carbon neutral bio-mass. Photosynthesis also takes in...
Composting – why, what & how
Compost bin Autumn is a time when gardeners start to cut back and clear away and we should not lose the chance to recycle some of nature’s bounty. Composting often attracts a ‘muck & magic’ mystique but a few scientific facts explain & simplify the process. The value of composting your own garden waste and uncooked vegetables is in returning nutrients to...
Make yours a wildlife friendly garden
Gardens are vital in providing habitats & corridors for wildlife to live and travel esp in urban areas. Here are some simple tips on how to make your garden more friendly to wildlife without sacrificing the atractive, family garden that you really do deserve. Wildlife needs what gardeners like too: long season of flowers, plenty autumn berries & some evergreen in...
GYO but what & how much?
The final set of tips from #WoolliesAskAlison for anyone planning to grow vegetables for the first time next season: So now you have a veg plot ready: here are some hints on what to grow & crucially how much to plant 1st question to ask is not “what do I want to grow?” but “What do I want to eat?” & include...
Preparing to grow Vegetables
Here are ten top tips on starting to grow vegetables and preparing a new piece of your garden or taking on an allotment. You can follow these & more hints & answers as 'live' tweets on Twitter via #WoolliesAskAlison every Thursday evening 8-9pm UKtime. As summer comes to an end it's time to look at veg growing: this week preparing a...