Lynne Allbutt

Brand new Brassica

A UK supermarket recently announced that will be selling the first new vegetable for nearly ten years and the good news is that you can grow your own.  Described as a flower-like Brussel sprout, the Petit Posy brassica seed is available from www.thompson-morgan.com (online or from their 2010 seed catalogue) at just £2.99 per packet.  The brand new vegetable looks like a cross between Brussels sprouts and kale but tastes more like spring greens.  The loose buttons are easily picked of the stems and are delicious and nutritious, perfect in stir fries or as a steamed veg.   Extremely winter hardy, Petit Posy can be sown from late March through until early June providing delicious crops from mid November through until the New Year.

By Lynne Allbutt for the Western Mail 13.02.10 

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

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

Buzz Off - wasp free zone!

The recent high winds have already brought down a lot of apples and plums in the garden and wasps are proving a real nuisance.  They change their feeding habits in the autumn preferring sweet things and carbohydrates and are also more likely to scavenge around outdoor diners. 
Enter, the Waspinator; a fake wasp’s nest that will deter wasps from areas indoors and out.  It is an ingenious idea as wasps are very aggressive and territorial.   When they see what they think is another wasp’s nest in the vicinity they will ‘buzz off’ and forage elsewhere rather than risk confrontation.   It is made from recycled   polypropylene and is completely waterproof.   You can even scrunch it up and take it on a picnic with you and has even been voted as one of the 50 Best Things to take Camping.    Priced at £13.95 for a twin pack (inc P&P) visit  www.waspinator.co.uk

from Lynne Allbutt's gardening column Green Scene in the Western Mail (Media Wales)  12.09.09

Lynne loves ...

 
.... the Block Paving Knife and Weed Finger by Traditional Tool Makers, Burgon & Ball.  Both of the beautifully crafted hand tools are brilliant for removing weeds in patios, paths and steps and all without weed killer.  Once used, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.  The Company also do a great range of Gardener’s Therapy Skincare as well as other gardening ‘Must Haves’.  Pop into www.burgonandball.com for more product details and stockists.

As seen in Green Scene by Lynne Allbutt for The Western Mail (Media Wales) 18.07.09

If you want to get Ahead, get a Hat

Lynne Loves .... the lightweight, summer version of my well worn cowboy hat.  Not only does it keep the sun off but it’s also waterproof and has mesh sides, so it’s much cooler to wear than my leather winter version.  Nor does it object to being squished up in the back of the truck when not in use, springing back into shape when needed.  Perfect.  Visit www.hatsandthat.com for a full range of Australian hats and, should you need one, tiaras too!  Or call 08007835854

from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column in the Western Mail (Media Wales)