Lynne Allbutt

How 'Mushroom' Do You Need?

Seed suppliers Thompson & Morgan are confident that sales of vegetable seeds and seed potatoes will   increase even more this year as the trend for growing your own continues.  They also advice there is a new ‘kid on the block’, or a new challenge for greenfingers.  Sales of mushrooms growing kits have been on the rise as the cold weather sees gardeners ordering from seed catalogues and online in preparation for Spring.  For three weeks T&M’s Gourmet Mushroom Growing Collection has been the best selling product on-line and with these home growing kits providing mushrooms for up to five years they are proving excellent value for money too. Thompson & Morgan’s new product development manager, Michael Perry said it was exciting to see people trying new things in the garden: “We have one of the most diverse mushroom ranges available. It’s not something you need to have an allotment or vegetable plot for – you don’t even need a patio. But the fact that it’s something you have to put some effort into makes it rewarding as well as challenging.”
Choose from specially impregnated dowels that are pushed into a freshly cut log, an Oyster mushroom straw growing kit or traditional spawn for classic White Cap Button mushrooms.  Cropping begins within four to ten months and continues up to five times a year for up to five years. Spring is the ideal time to start growing mushrooms from dowels.  All available from www.thompson-morgan or call  01473 695341 for  a catalogue.

Written by Lynne Allbutt (Green Scene), for the Western Mail (Media Wales) 16.01.10

Snout and About in the Garden

   Animal-lover and pig breeder, Jane Croft describes pigs as ‘Nature’s rotorvators’.  “They are incredible at clearing overgrown ground,” she enthuses,  “I first kept pigs years and years ago and bred them initially for the meat and to clear rough ground.  They clear brambles, nettles and  also eat all the roots too.  They are perfect to clear land for building or a new plot.”
The trouble was that I would name all the pigs and get really fond of them all so it got harder and harder to send them to the abattoir.  I decided to get two of the little pot bellied pigs just to have as pets but the boar eventually grew so big I could actually ride him like a horse!  The pig thing just came to a stop and I ended up doing loads of different jobs and travelling the World,” she explains cheerfully.   Then a couple of years ago, my Mum was ill and I moved to Essex to look after her.   Whilst there thought I’d like to get back into breeding pigs, just as a hobby and wondered about breeding really small pigs as pets.  I’ve got 60 here now,” she laughs,  “some will leave, some are rescued and I’ve got two that live in the house.” 
Jane and her ‘micro pigs’ have  been regulars in the Media lately , with celebrity owners including David and Victoria  Beckham and our own Gavin and Charlotte, raising the profile of micro pigs as pets.   Despite an overwhelming waiting list of hopeful owners, Jane remains adamant her animals come first, insisting, “I won’t sell them to anyone.  They are not a fashion accessory and they’re not like cats or dog either ,”she continues, “they’re very intelligent, sensitive creatures and loving homes are essential.  They also need to be able to spend time outdoors, Jane continues,  “but I don’t have a garden anymore,” she laughs.  “I used to have a lovely garden but it’s all fenced off for pigs now.  They love to graze and of course it’s natural for them to root around for worms and grubs too.  If you like a manicured lawn and flowerbeds, a pig probably isn’t the best pet,” she warns.
“They also love all fruit and veg,” she continues, “ but you have to be careful not to let them have too much soft fruit as it ferments in their stomach.  I used to keep a couple of pigs in the orchard, there were a few plum trees there that they would shake to get the fruit.  I went out one day and they were all drunk.” She confides cheerfully.  “I would love have the time to grow my own veg for them.    It would be a win-win situation really wouldn’t it?  They would  clear the ground and add the fertilizer, then I’d  grow the veg to feed back to them.” 
As well as numerous TV appearances, media interviews and her pig husbandry, Jane is also writing a couple of books.  “I’ve called the first one “Excuse Me There’s a Pig in your Kitchen?”  as that’s exactly what my Mother’s carer said when I was there one day, and the second book, which will be out in March,  is more of a handbook about How To Care for Your Little Pig.  I have raised the profile of these little pigs and I feel responsible for making sure that they are not exploited and are understood and looked after well; I also want both books to be humorous as well as informative,” she explains passionately and after meeting her and listening to her fabulous stories,  I don’t think that’ll be a problem. 
To find out more about Jane and her micro pigs pop into www.littlepigfarm.co.uk 

Written by Lynne Allbutt (Green Scene), for Western Mail (Media Wales) 16.01.10 

My Week

Believe it or not we have been working outdoors (though I admit to a part-time presence).   Beds and borders have been cleared of last year’s herbaceous growth,  climbers have been tied in, fence panels have been repaired, hands have been cwtched into armpits and noses have run constantly.
My brother’s tea froze before he could get the top back on the flask, tools left on the ground have frozen to it and vehicles have had to be defrosted to leave site.  It’s been cold. 
My Sealskin socks have continued to be fabulous though my addiction to the woodburner in the evening has resulted in a couple of chilblains and I have yet to find a heavy duty moisturiser that will stop my lips and nose from fraying.  Not very glamorous admittedly but I’m still not looking for an office job.

Paw Protection

Rock salt has been used liberally as a de-icer by Councils during the big freeze but did you know that whilst effective at defrosting ice and snow it’s not particularly plant or pet friendly and can also corrode concrete?  As the salt is washed off of paths and roads it can damage plants and grass and excessive salt in the soil will reduce the plants resistance to disease and pests.   The harmless looking pink salt will also burn a dogs (or cats) paws and can cause indigestion problems and even poisoning, if the animal licks the salt off their pads.  There is a pet-safe de-icer on the market called Paw Safe but I can only find American suppliers (www.safepaw.com).  As a pet-friendly alternative, use clean cat litter as a de-icer and keep paths around the house snow-free with a shovel.  Washing your dogs paws after a walk will help or if you think they’ll be appreciated (or tolerated) treat your faithful friend to a set of dog boots from www.canineconcepts.co.uk from just £6.99 a pair

written by Lynne Allbutt for Green Scene in Western Mail (Media Wales)  09.01.10

Keep Fit and Have Fun in the Fresh Air

GMTV Fitness Instructor, Deanne Berry attributes much of her healthy lifestyle to growing up in Sydney, Australia. “ Being an Ozzie, I just love being outdoors,”  she enthuses, “Dad loves growing his own herbs and veg and Mum makes fabulous salads from the papaya’s, so we would often have our food straight from the garden.  It would go straight from the plant to the BBQ.  It’s really healthy and obviously all the preparation of growing it and then harvesting it keeps you active too.  Gardening is definitely one of the best ways to keep fit,”  she emphasises. 
Now living in London, Deanne continues, “When I go home, Dad and I go fishing in a little kayak and then light a fire on the sand and eat the fish we’ve caught.  It tastes amazing and we also burn loads of calories catching it.” she laughs.  “I miss having a garden in London but I still manage to grow herbs and I get to the Parks as often as possible to run and just enjoy Nature.  Being in Nature is good for you too,” continues the motivational maestro.  “I have just been to a wedding in the Cook Islands and we picked fresh flowers for the Bride. The Frangipani’s are so pretty and even the little wild flowers are amazing.”
“When I presented the Bikini Diet on GMTV last year, most of it was filmed outdoors as I think the fresh air is so good for you.  We were lucky as most of it was also done on a Cruise in the Med.” she admits.  “But even in this icy cold British weather you can still wrap up warm and run or walk outdoors.  Take the family to the Park and just run around and have fun,” she suggests.  “Exercise needs to be enjoyable and fun or you won’t stick to it.  That’s why gardening is so good for you; there’s load of variety, you burn up calories and get great tasting food and lovely flowers as well.”
Having motivated stars like Colleen Nolan and Kylie Minogue, Deanne advises,  “On really wet, horrible days you can use my fitness DVD, ‘Clubland – The Workout of Your Life’.  It’s a high energy work out with fun dance routines and a lot of jumping about,” she laughs.  “There are lots of different sections to keep you motivated so you’re not counting the minutes until you finish.” she adds.
The fitness Queen has another tip, “Keep a pair of trainers just for indoor use and treat yourself to some nice fitness clothes and you’ll feel better about exercising,”  she says, “don’t hide under baggy clothes, they won’t inspire you.”
“Though,” she adds cheerfully, “that’s another good reason for exercising outdoors .... there are no mirrors!”
Deanne’s DVD is now available from www.amazon.co.uk at just £17.99

Written by Lynne Allbutt (Green Scene), for the Western Mail (Media Wales) 9th January 2010

Grow Your Own Drugs

Making plants and weeds seem trendy is easy for the presenter of the TV series ‘Grow Your Own Drugs’,  James Wong.  “I grew up in Malaysia and Singapore where there is a different attitude to plants than you have in the UK,” he explains.  Friends from the UK were just not as excited about them.  I think it’s because often their first introduction to horticulture is a boring trip to a nursery to pick up a few trays of bedding plants,  a bit like carpet samples.” He continues, “In Asia, plants are not just used like soft furnishing, they’re also useful and provide solutions for everyday problems.  They had to have a function to have a place in the garden;  we say they have to be good to eat or treat.” he continues passionately.

Roses Grow On You

Amanda Beales’ passion for roses is evident and hereditary.  Her father, Peter established the family business (Peter Beales Roses) as a result of falling in love with a rose in his Grandfathers garden as a child.  “The rose is still there and has been since identified as Maiden’s Blush,” explains Amanda.  “Dad was not  a tremendous scholar,”  she laughs, “he used to bunk off and cycle around the lanes and wander thorough fields, preferring  Nature to the classroom.” 
“Dad went on to be  the first Horticultural Apprentice in the UK,” she continues, “ and was  therefore a year late doing his National Service.  He met Mum, Joan, whilst based in Llanion Barracks in Pembrokeshire, so we are all proud of our Welsh connections.” She laughs