Plant leek seedlings into beds that have been well-prepared and dug over, incorporating plenty of aged compost.
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To plant, make a hole about 10 centimetres deep with a dibber and drop the plant in. No need to back fill the hole as the leek will grow and fill in the space. Water regularly and give a side dressing of a nitrogen fertiliser every two to three weeks to maintain steady growth.
They take about 12 weeks to mature and are ready to harvest when the stems are about two centimetres thick. Leeks like the company of carrots.
Crepe myrtles are small, deciduous trees ...
Mighty myrtles
Crepe myrtles are small, deciduous trees grown for their magnificent summer display of long, arching branches, sumptuous panicles of flowers in colours of white, pink, mauve, purple to red, according to variety, and ornamental tawny bark that takes on a gnarled appearance with age.
The autumn foliage turns a stunning yellow, orange and scarlet.
Some crepe myrtles may suffer from powdery mildew at this time of the year, causing damage to flowers and leaves. Control by spraying with a suitable fungicide.
The Indian Summer range of crepe myrtles has been bred to resist mildew attack so it may be practical to plant this type. A lovely specimen for any garden.
Fire prevention planting
When planting new trees, especially in a larger garden, consider those that have some resistance to fire.
They include Acer negunda, A. paranoids, A. pseudoplatanus; Alnus jorullensis; Cercis siliquastrum; Coprosma repens; Cornus capitata; Fagus sylvcatica; Fraxinus; Ilex aquifolium; Laurus nobilis; Liriodendron tulipifera; Olea europaea; Photinia serrulata; Pittosporum orientalis; Populus; Quercus robur; Sorbus aucuparia; Tilia cordata and Ulmus.
Slug those pests
Slugs and snails are molluscs, a genus of soft-bodied creatures. Most secrete mucus from the foot as a protection for their bodies.
These pests come out at night, usually after rain or when the garden has been watered, to devastate young plants, chewing holes in leaves, devouring small seedlings and severely damaging roots, tubers, bulbs and corms.
In summer, snails seal themselves inside their shell and may remain dormant for up to three years. Slugs group together to find a damp place to hide under.
To control, remove hiding places such as debris, discarded pots or rotting material, place slug bait stations or sprinkle a ring of lime around plants, but don’t use lime near acid-loving plants.