GARDEN TALES: Gardener's Question Time

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Phyllostachys nigra 'Bolleriana' - the strongest Black Bamboo is best divided in spring. Division of plants is an excellent way of replicating or multiplying your stock. Phyllostachys likes plenty of well rotted organic matter in the planting hole; this prevents moisture being lost through the soil. Bamboo is an expensive plant to buy.
Asparagus (vegetable) is a maritime plant. An application of sea salt on light soils is beneficial. However, its better to apply sea weed either pure or in granulated form to the soil. Sea weed is perhaps the best organic fertiliser there is.
Cucumber 'Typhany' - expensive £Stg3.99 for 4 seeds. All female. Protect young plants in the garden from frost with horticultural fleece or a cloche. Don't let plants go dry. As with all vegetables, cucumbers require plenty of water.
Rain water is best for irrigating your plants. Rainwater is natural & contains minerals for plant growth.