A Holy Ghost Party

If you want to keep your garden healthy and vibrant it is important that you take the proper steps in pest control. There are a variety of garden pests out there that can do serious damage to your garden. The most important step to getting rid of a pest is identifying exactly what you are working against so that you can choose the products best suited to your garden’s needs. What are some of the most common pests that people need to get rid of in their gardens? Cats, dogs, mice, rats, squirrels, moles, and birds can have very harmful effects on your garden.

There are traps for everything and they range from traditional traps to humane traps to infrared and ultrasonic deterrent systems, as well as some fairly unique products for keeping unwanted pests out. Cats and dogs can be kept out of your garden in a variety of ways, but the most common are units that produce ultrasound that only the cats and dogs can hear which irritates them away, and also, especially effective are cat repellent sticks and pellets that feature odors that naturally repel cats and keep them from defecating in your garden.

A variety of options are available if you are looking to get rid of mice and rats in your garden. Poison is a very effective way of getting rid of mice and rats and some poison is scented in order to attract the rodents and as a result get the job done quicker. An ultrasonic pest repeller is another viable option when you are trying to get rid of mice, rats or other rodents. Finally, there is the traditional and always efficient spring-based mouse and rat traps which can be placed unobtrusively in the garden and help you to control your rodent problem.

Moles can leave mounds of dirt all over your yard and garden, which really detracts from its beauty and can actually do harm to some plants. A sonic mole repeller can help to rid your yard of these pesky animals by emitting a sonic vibration underground every few seconds which will repel the moles since they interpret the vibration as an approaching predator. Mole smoke pellets coat the inside of the mole hole with castor oil preventing the moles from reaching their food source and forcing them to move to a new location. Humane mole traps allow you to catch the mole and then release it elsewhere.

Keeping pest animals out of your garden is important to maintaining its fine appearance and the health of the plants in your garden. There are several effective and humane ways to get rid of a variety of garden pests. Once you have determined the animals that you need to keep out you can easily find a repellent that is suitable for the task that will, to the extent possible, not harm the animal unnecessarily. With a little research and effort you can keep harmful pests out of your garden and yard.

Garden Supplies
By Gardens4less.co.uk
Althea, Wellington Park,
Wellington Road,
Burton On Trent,
Staffordshire,
DE14 2TG
+0844 41 42 042

• Hunter Wellies
• Garden Furniture
• Flymo
• Flymo Lawnmowers
• Bosch Lawnmowers
• Barbeques
• BBQ
• Barbecues
• Chiminea
• Lafuma Chairs
• Chiminea

Despite the wind and plummeting temperatures, there is plenty to do in the garden at this time of year. Plants sown earlier in the season will now be ready for harvesting, such as broccoli ‘Early Purple’, parsnip ‘White Gem’ and kale ‘Dwarf Green Curled’ (links).

Planning Ahead

To ensure a supply of vegetables throughout the winter months, it is useful to plan ahead. After the summer vegetables have finished, begin preparing your soil and buying your seeds for the next crop. From spring to midsummer, sow ‘Autumn King 2′ (link) for carrots which hold well in the ground until needed. Leek adds a subtle flavour to casseroles and takes only sixteen to twenty weeks to mature. It is also an excellent choice for small plots, taking up little room in the bed. Try ‘Musselberg improved’ (link), which can be harvested from late autumn onwards.

In late April or May, plant onion seeds and store the mature bulbs for winter use. ‘Cipolla Tonda Musona’ is an attractive snow-white variety with a mild taste.

For Something Different

For a welcome splash of colour during dark evenings, sow chicory ‘Cicoria Variegata de Castelfranco’ from May-August. Eaten raw the leaves provide a zesty accompaniment to plain lettuce, or they can be added to soups and stews for extra flavour.

Newcomer broccoli ‘Romanesco’ is a show-stopper when served as part of a hearty winter feast. The pyramidal spears are delicious when steamed and tossed in butter, and can be harvested from early November onwards. Sow in spring for a superb winter crop.

Winter Sowing

Since garlic requires a cold spell to develop, plant in November or January to ensure a harvest in mid- to late summer. Pre-order your garlic with garden4less to avoid disappointment, and store in a cool dry place until ready to sow. Divide into individual cloves and plant approximately ten centimetres below soil level. During August the leaves will begin to turn yellow, indicating that the bulbs are ready to harvest.

Broad beans, such as ‘Aquadulce Claudia’ (link) can also be started in late autumn, although they will require some protection against frost. Try our winter frost fleece (link), an economical way to protect delicate plants.

Storage

To prolong your supply, store winter roots in a cool, dry spot after lifting. Discard (or eat!) any that are damaged to avoid spreading rot to healthy specimens. Line an old wooden crate with an inch of dry sand and lay carrots head to tail in rows. Cover with the same amount of sand and repeat until full. Finally, secure the boxes well to prevent mouse intrusion. To enjoy onions and potatoes throughout the winter, ensure that they are protected from frost. Regularly inspect them throughout the winter, removing any that appear green or damp.