Page 20 - Isolation Guide: LEP Special E-mag Supplement

YOURTIME
Planting a Herb window box (photo: RHS)
Government advice during the current coronavirus crisis is social distancing.
This means not going out unless for food,andonceadayforexercise, but it is also recognised that there is a need to maintain good mental health.
One way to do this is gardening, whether inside, on a balcony or yard, or in the garden. There are many ways to enjoy this pastime but be mindful not to create too much waste as some local authorities have put in place restrictions.
RHS Principal Horticultural Advisor Leigh Hunt suggests growing your own fruit and vegetables is a good place to start.
She said: “There is more interest in starting to grow at home. We are getting more inquiries from members, accessing our gardening advice service, about vegetable growing. “It’sagreatthingtodowith everyone at home, perhaps more time on our hands and the difficulty ofgetting to the shops.”
The RHS offers lots more
advice on its https:// www.rhs.org.uk/advice/ begin ners-guide/vegetable- basics website. RHSDirectorofScience Alistair Griffiths added: “There is an ever-increasing body ofscientific evidence showing that a regular dose ofgardening can improve both your mental and physical wellbeing.
“Studies now provide robust evidence for the positive physical and mental effects ofgardening on health.
“In fact, there are very few
- if any - other activities
that can achieve all of the things that gardening can, in particular the measurable impact on active lifestyles and mental wellbeing, such as reductions in depression, anxiety and body mass index, as well as increases in life satisfaction and quality of life”
Here are some grow your own tips from RHS Chief Horticulturist Guy Barter...
yt/ Vegetables VpTHowto:
Vegetablesareeasytogrow once thev have germinated
or been planted
yt/Situation
'Iv Findtherightplace:
A sunny site is ideal - only a fewcropswill producemuch in shade,
yt/ Shadelovers VKShadetolerant:
Crops include beetroot, chard, peas, runner beans, spinach and salads,
yt/So/7
V|V Soil is ideal:
Soil is free and needs little looking after. However if the plot in question doesn’t even support weeds it might be unsuitable.
yt/ Goingpotty 'N"Growbagsor
containers:
Filled with potting compost will give good crops where soil is not an option, but they will need more attention,
yt/ Clearway VN Weeding:
to do this but, in many cases, no-digging is preferred. After weeds are removed, no further cultivation is needed with a lightmulch oforganic matter such as garden compost suppressing weeds,
yt/ Compost
'KFeeding growth:
Ideally add garden compost or rotted manure (not carrots or parsnips) and fertiliser to
improve the soil,
yt/Seeds
ViV Tastes to suit:
Sow seeds of whatever
you like to eat. Crops that taste
best freshly gathered are many people’s
favourites - salads, tomatoes,
new potatoes, chard and other leafbeets for
example. Broccoli and cabbage family plants suffer from pests and diseases and are best left to farmers.
yt/ Cost
Seeds expense:
LANCASHIRE POST
wvm.lep.co.uk Spring 2020
Harvesting a sauash (photo: RHS)
Clearanareaofweeds: Someseedsareexpensive, Digging is the simplest wav especially hvbrids. Bargain