Page 24 - Thrapston Life January 2024

CLIMATE
CHANGE
in your garden...
Apple ‘Lord Derby’ on M106
Climate change and its effects are still with us even though it is the start of a new year. So far, we have done little to reduce our influence on climate change and there seems to be little leadership from the politicians. As an individual we can have little or no influence on climate change, but as a
group or community we can start to make a difference and help to reduce the effects.
In the garden there are a number of things we can do to help.
Acer griseum 2
Pears should be on Quince C or Quince Eline rootstock, cherries on Gisela 5, plums on Pixy or VVA-1 and if you wish to try peaches or nectarines get Torinel or Krymsk 86 rootstock.
Purchase trees from a reputable nursery,
Firstly: plant more trees. Even if
your garden is small there are small
trees which will be suitable and not grow too large. Every tree absorbs CO2, one of the main greenhouse gases which cause climate change, and if many trees are planted this will make a difference over time.
Trees suitable for small gardens include many fruit trees, which not only absorb CO2 but will flower – providing pollen and nectar for insects – and fruit to feed you, one of your five a day! Providing your tree is grafted onto a dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstock it will not grow
too large. Apple trees should be on either M27 (very dwarf) or M9, for poor soils try MM106.
If you want a tree for ornamental flowers, fruit or autumn colour then the trees in the adjacent table will be suitable. Most flower, have berries and have some have good autumn colour, so provide plenty of interest in the garden as well as a habitat for insects and birds. If you really do not have room for a tree, try some shrubs as they will absorb some CO2 into their woody tissue.
Next, to reduce climate change consider composting, which hopefully some of you already do. Composting of green waste and some kitchen waste reduce the waste that goes to landfill or incineration and saves in collection
Trees suitable for small gardens include many fruit trees
garden centre or online. If brought between January and late March, they can be bareroot (no soil around the roots) and planted up to the end of March. If brought in a container they can be planted all the year round, but ensure you water them well if planted in the summer.
24