Garden Tips 1

We have just got back from our summer holiday,to achieve, completely ruined by Mother Nature
leaving the mother-in-law looking after house,who can certainly be cruel at times.
garden and pets for us, and it seems that weAlso remember the trade's people that are finding
have been extremely lucky as far as the weatherit hard and in some cases actually going out of
is concerned.business, especially the local landscapers and odd
While you have been suffering from all the rainjob men. All we can say is keep positive, if you
and floods we have been basking in hot sunnyhit rock bottom things can only improve.
temperatures of between 35-43 degrees duringOn a better note our gardens are doing
the day and a balmy 32 degrees at night.exceptionally well. As we mentioned previously we
We all went to Cuba, and boy are we missing it.live in East Anglia and our part of the country
This was our first visit there by the way and weseems to miss most of the severe weather. If
absolutely loved it. The local people could not dothere is sunshine to be had we usually get it with
enough for you, and this was genuinely sincere.little rain, that is why Anglia is now classed as arid.
If you have thought about going to Cuba weSeeing that we were only away on holiday for
would thoroughly recommend it, there is only onejust over two weeks, we were surprised at the
draw back and that is the mosquitoes, so packamount of changes that took place during that
plenty of insect repellent and because of thetime, everything appears fresh as if it is the first
extreme temperature factor 15 and above suntime you have set eyes on it, and this is the first
tan lotion.year the grass has survived, usually it has seared
The location was a gardeners delight, everywhereoff, needing a little tender loving care. The weeds
was luscious and green and the gardens welllook as though they enjoyed the break as well,
maintained with every imaginable palm tree, andso we are back into our routine of weeding, dead
our girls loved the fact that we were on the topheading, hoeing and tying in the climbers and
floor, as there were only ground and first floor inroses, that have grown terrifically.
the small Spanish style buildings, that you couldGarden Tips Again keep that hoe on the go to
lean out and actually pick the coconuts if youkeep the ground open and weeds at bay, as you
wanted to!walk around the garden do not forget to dead
The rooms were very spacious with a sittinghead any plants to encourage new growth.
room, 2 double beds, dressing room with aIf you have any runner beans make sure you
washbasin and a separate large bathroom. In thekeep them well watered and you pick the beans
evenings the flowers in the gardens perfumesas soon as they are ready, as this will encourage
were quite heavy and there is plenty of wild lifenew flowers to set to ensure a constant crop of
from blue and green lizards to many types ofbeans. A good tip when first setting the beans is
birds including the emerald humming bird. I am into make sure you grow the seeds over a good
trouble as my wife wanted me to photograph thelayer of compost and either old news papers, to
humming birds, but they move so fast that Ikeep moisture at the beans roots at all times, as
missed them each time- I guess I'm no Davidwater is the most important factor for an
Bailey.excellent crop, apart form staking the beans for
But best of all is the beach; we believe we haveeasy harvesting they need no attention at all. So
found a piece of paradise. With the white sandan extra few minute's preparation of the ground
and warm crystal clear water with every shadewill yield fruitful with the crop size.
of blue reflected in it, some how we do not thinkDo not forget to keep watering your pots and
this will be our last visit.hanging baskets even though we have had plenty
As usual our dog rusty has really got the humpof rain, as often the leaves deflects the rain and
with us because we went on holiday with out him,the compost will dry out and shrink, leaving the
although he is well looked after by theplants very stressed, resulting in less flowering or
Mother-in-Law, in fact he is positively spoilt, but itplants actually dying. A regular feed is beneficial to,
always takes him a couple of days to get back toas we often plant containers up more heavily than
his usual self.we do in our garden, and all the plants are equally
Rusty is looking especially dandy at the momentafter the nutrients that even though I use a slow
as he is supporting yet another new bandanarelease fertiliser in the compost, I always feed
around his neck, and at least this Cuban bandanafortnightly as well for an excellent show.
is actually made locally, where as other CaribbeanLawns It has been along time since the lawns
Islands most of their goods are just like ours,have been so lush at this time of the year, which
imported from the east, he can say it is prettylooks really great. All you have to do is cut the
much designer!grass regularly and of course strim or clip the
Right, lets get back to the garden, this has been aedge for real manicured neatness.
very bad year for floods and anyone who hasIt is amazing how a quick trim of the grass and a
suffered due to this, our heart goes out to you.blower to clear leaves and dirt from around your
Apart from the houses and interiors being ruinedgarden makes it look fantastic, especially at this
the gardens have also been wiped out.time of the year when you can entertain and
Remember, these are people's homes, their prideenjoy the garden just as any other room in your
and joy and that in many cases have taken yearshouse.