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Leaves.
Losing the plot? Chances are,
you’re going to
FAR FROM BEING A BED OF ROSES, the upkeep of boundary is what could be causing these need to shift them
one’s Manor is causing a great divide between gardening rifts in the first place. around a bit this
couples up and down the country. To prove the point, more than one in autumn. And whilst a big
That’s according to a survey by The National ten respondents admitted they’ve tried rake(oralotofhelp)sure
Gardens Scheme, who’ve claimed almost half of to secretly steal a slice of their partner’s area comes in handy, neither
those questioned during the NGS Open Gardens – only to find it’s later been grabbed of those two solutions
season 2008 (45 percent) back elsewhere. compare to a leaf blower.
blame the problems on the Garden designer and Whilehandheldunits
inherent difference in NGS ‘opener’ Helen Riches, are the most popular,
gardening style between says the lawn is the they can also get pretty
men and women. biggest bone of contention heavy during use. More
78 percent of those with couples. Apparently, importantly, they’re also very noisy. Sure,
questioned, in fact, said she can’t understand why they’re portable and reasonably convenient,
that differing views on her husband thinks the but here’s the leaf blower everyone’s been
green-fingered matters has plant ‘grass’ is better than talking about.
caused friction or led to any other plant species – The QB Series Quiet Blow from Billy Goat
arguments and it appears, or why he gains so much has properly set the standard for wheeled leaf
generally, men seem to pleasure from cutting it. blowers. With balance, low vibration, low
prefer formal gardens – Despite this, she still noise and maximum performance, the Quiet
with straight paths and admits to stealing a bit of Blow offers all the benefits of a standard leaf
tidy edges (two thirds) – ‘his’ lawn occasionally, to blower, without the downfalls.
while nearly all women make into planting areas. It’s easily pushed along, even on wet grass,
like to create more As for Julia Grant, the due to its lightweight body, and will glide
romantic spaces with chief executive of The along blowing your leaves exactly where you
winding paths and National Gardens Scheme, want without waking up the neighbourhood.
informal planting. she believes the phrase Okay, so it’s not really useful for someone
Women also prefer to ‘men are from Mars and with a small garden. But Billy Goat have
grow flowers (84 percent), whereas the lawn women are from Venus’ is entirely appropriate for certainly succeeded in making the wheel
seems to be the men’s favourite domain (30 this sort of conflict in the garden. blower an indispensable tool for the large
percent). Along with the shed, of course. Despite the issues, Julia still suggests this sort of property owner.
With half of those surveyed trying to avoid creative tension could produce wonderful results. The QB Series Quiet Blow with the quietest
conflict by having their own designated areas in She says a mixture of gardening styles can work 5hp engine is available from £719.
the garden, where they can show off their well, and could create one of the country’s most For details, visit: www.billygoat.com
individual style, it seems that overstepping the spectacular gardens.
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Work the land...
Organic compost
Managing a huge slice of land like the Long
Mynd in Church Stretton, Shropshire, must
Q: When is the best time to start composting? One thing that’ll help your compost heap provide endless fascination, let alone an
Is it okay to start in October? on its way is a healthy dose of Miracle-Gro endless amount of work.
Compost Maker (RRP £4.49). This 100-percent For an insight into the winter management
A: Autumn is definitely the time to get chemical-free product contains completely on the Lond Mynd, you can meet the wardens
composting. All of us will be out there clearing natural composting micro-organisms that’ll and get your hands dirty this October, at the
up the garden and the greenhouse in help stimulate the breakdown of waste. Carding Mill Valley’s Get Involved day.
preparation for the cooler weather, and this Another good tip is to rip waste cardboard You can drive a tractor or mule, and get
provides plenty of material for good compost. and include it in your compost heap. Cardboard stuck into ‘wumping’ or coppicing. It really is
Don’t just throw out spent grow bags and old is carbon-rich and helps to balance out all the all about taking a ‘hands on’ approach to land
tomato plants, as they’ll provide the perfect nitrogen-rich green materials in compost. management, providing a rare experience of
materials for making nutrient-rich compost. what it might be like to work on, and protect,
Add any green waste and fallen leaves you Send your queries to Odd Job Man, Country & such an important piece of land.
have into your compost heap, but do be careful Border Life, Border Publishing Ltd., Salop House, Get Involved, 22nd October, Carding Mill
not to include any remnants of perennial weed Salop Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 2NS. Or Valley, Church Stretton, Shropshire.
roots or disease-ridden plants. e-mail: oddjobman@borderpublishing.com Tel: 01694 722631
Country & Border Life October 2007 115
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