< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY One of the good things about gardening is that you can plan ahead and during this uncertain time it is good to have something you can plan and look forward to, as Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explores. The summer sun is just around the corner and so now is a good time to start thinking of this and get things ready for when it arrives. You may not need to completely re-design your garden but there are some changes that you can do now to your garden which can be enjoyed in the summer. There are some plants that you can plant now which will provide colour in the spring and summer, these are Lupins, Acanthus, Hardy Geraniums, Globe Thistles and Japanese Anemones. If you do not have any flower beds but want to add colour, then pots can be used. You could get a variety of shapes and sizes and position them together to create a colourful feature. If you have the space, then growing your own fruit and vegetables is a great way to use your garden and you can start planning ahead for the summer crops. Climate permitting, you can start to grow early carrots, lettuces and salad onions which can be put under cloches. Now is also the time to plant raspberries, and these are an excellent fruit for beginners as they are fairly trouble free, and they grow well in most soils. You must ensure though that your soil is moist and free draining. You plant your raspberry canes about 2.5 ft. apart digging down about 5 inches. Tread the soil around the root after planting and at the end of the row place a high stake from which you can stretch galvanised wires across at 3 ft. and 5 ft. heights. One thing you want to make sure you can do in the summer is to enjoy your garden. So, if you have not got a seating area now is the time to create one. It can be a small patio area, or even just a bench somewhere in the garden. This would not need any hard landscaping just for you to pick the best position. Now is also the time to be looking out for pests and disease. You need to pick up dead fallen leaves to deter grey mould and keep an eye out for overwintering pests such as whitefly or red spider mite and treat accordingly. Also, if you have a greenhouse or plants in your conservatory ensure you ventilate it on mild sunny days to help Planning GARDEN ADVICE 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 10:57 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 21 Specialised Services in Garden Design Landscaping and Tree Maintenance Backed by a highly-skilled and experienced team, we’ve built our reputation on an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutions FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATIONS FULLERS Landscaping Call 01522 868717 or 07867 510544 landscapinglincolnshire@gmail.com www.landscapinglincolnshire.com Around the garden 1. Divide bulbs such as snowdrops 2. Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges 3. Use a pressure washer to clean paths, steps, paving and patios 4. Plant colourful, evergreen Phormium ‘Cream Delight’ in a patio pot to brighten winter displays 5. Prune Wisteria 6. Take care not to walk over borders or on lawns where spring bulbs and flowers will be emerging 7. Prune Conservatory climbers reduce fungal infections. No matter what your gardening experience there is always something to be done in the garden to ensure you have an outdoor space to enjoy all year round. Just a bit of planning ahead can make all the difference. GARDEN ADVICE © Shutterstock / atiger Windsor Bench The Windsor bench is at the very pinnacle of Calders and Grandidge’s outdoor living range. It is a classic heavy duty product that retains the traditional park, street and landscape bench look using redwood timber from sustainable sources. The Windsor bench has been built to last through the company’s specialised timber treatment, meaning it can be left outdoors all year round and requires minimal maintenance. It was designed by Gate Mill Operative and master craftsman Steve Rutt. To purchase one for yourself, visit www.caldersandgrandidge.com. 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 10:58 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY An increasing number of homeowners are choosing to live more sustainability, transforming their properties to run in an eco-friendlier manner. Of all the areas ripe for this environmentally conscious transformation, sewage and drainage often gets overlooked. But as sewer lines can sometimes leak and contaminate groundwater, it’s not an area we can afford to ignore. A septic tank, on the other hand, doesn’t run through a sewer system and, therefore, there’s less of a risk for leakage. Given it uses a natural filtration system, pollution is minimised all round. Septic tanks are economic. This is because they are much more cost- effective to install and maintain than having new pipes put in. Moreover, they are low-maintenance and only really need pumping every three-five years – it is worth having it regularly cleaned and inspected to keep it functioning in tiptop condition. That will help to keep it running for decades. Depending on your usage, septic tanks last between 20 and 40 years, which will make up the majority of an adult’s life at any one property. It was easy to miss anything not related to coronavirus last year but, in 2020, the laws surrounding septic tanks changed. So, whether you own a tank or are thinking of getting one installed, it’s critical you’re up to date with the new legislation. To quickly recap, the Environment Agency has taken aim against water pollution and introduced laws that meant home owners and farmers had to upgrade or replace their systems. The reason being that, despite the advantages we’ve already explored, septic tanks can contaminate groundwater supplies and surface water in lakes, streams, and rivers. It’s the latest in a decade of changing legislation governing the use of septic tanks. Unsurprisingly there’s already strict regulations in place regarding septic tanks, such as where they can be placed and where the water that leaves them can go. The new Environment Agency Septic Tank General Binding Rules originally came out in 2015 and, back then, landowners were able to discharge the separate wastewater from their septic tanks in one of two ways – ether to a drainage field/soakaway system, or to a watercourse. But from the beginning of 2020, that was no longer be allowed, the reason being that the quality of this wastewater is no longer considered to be clean enough to flow straight into local watercourses without causing pollution. This won’t be shocking news to most, as for a number of years now property The greener, cheaper choice © Shutterstock /KaliAntye For some prestigious properties across Lincolnshire, nestled in acres of their own lands, a septic tank is simply par for the course. Yet more properties are choosing to invest, whether for sustainability or economic reasons. Looking at the myriad of benefits they bring, it’s no surprise. The greener, cheaper choice 22-23.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 11:01 Page 1General binding rules for septic tanks made easy If you have installed a septic tank or small sewage treatment plant in England, then the binding rules apply to you. They can be difficult to navigate and understand if you are encountering them for the first time. What are the general binding rules? Think of the binding rules like getting your car MOT’d. The purpose is to ensure your car is running efficiently, that parts won’t fall off as you’re driving, and that it will not cause pollution. Likewise, when you check your septic tank for issues according to the binding rules, you will be able to tell if you have any issues that will cause pollution for the local environment. Rather than a yearly check, these checks will have to be done monthly and you’ll need to keep a record of them. However, you also need to have your septic tank or treatment plant emptied at least once a year. To find out more, visit www.allertonuk.com. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 23 GARDENS owners have not been allowed to install a new septic tank which discharges into a watercourse. There are two main ways in which property owners and farmers can comply with the new regulations. Firstly, a septic tank can be replaced with a sewage treatment plant. The benefit here is that sewage treatment plants produce a cleaner form of water which is considered clean enough to discharge straight into a watercourse. The second option available is to install a drainage or soakaway system. The benefit here is that the system will take the wastewater from the septic tank and disperse it safely into the ground without causing pollution. So while there’s plenty of advantages to installing – or maintaining – a septic tank, it’s important to understand the new rules as violating the regulations could bring a fine equating to £100,000. © Shutterstock /dcwcreations 22-23.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 11:01 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Numph This stunning outfit from Numph straddles the line from winter into spring, making it absolutely perfect for February. The ruffled sleeves alone would make this a striking ensemble, but the belt on the adorable jeans is the icing on the cake. 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 11:05 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 25 FASHION Style for its own sake Style for its own sake Style and glamour don’t have to be put on pause just because the pandemic has disrupted every other area of our lives. Wearing elegant clothes around the home will make you look and feel great and that is its own reward. 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 11:07 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Samoon Simple, yes. But therein lies the style and appeal. This samoon outfit will see you through the winter into spring. Ichi Everything about this Ichi outfit is audacious – from the striking fit and the bold black, to the chain-link pattern. Numph More and more, we’re seeing growing trends for looser, more androgynous fitting clothing for women. Numph offer one of our favourites of the autumn/winter season. LauRie Simple and elegant – that’s the LauRie promise, and this outfit offers both in spades. © DK Company – ICHI 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 11:07 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 27 FASHION 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 11:07 Page 428 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION 1) Sonder Studio Be a little bold with this outfit from Sonder Studio. Who cares if there isn’t any excuse to go out and show it off at the moment. Be your own excuse and wear it around the home. 2) Taifun There’s no need to overcomplicate your outfits to make them striking. Just look at this ensemble from Taifun. 3) Retaissance The A-line range from Retaissance aims to redefine women’s wardrobe classics with a modern and distinctive interpretation, always with maximum attention to detail and impeccable construction and finishings. With the Jungle Look Overshirt, they’ve more than fulfilled that brief. 4) Phoebe Grace You can’t help but fall head over heels in love with this stunning, sophisticated dress from Phoebe Grace. The colour, detailing and pattern are in a league of their own. 5) Masai Bring some colour to your winter wardrobe with his elegant outfit from Masai. 6) Gerry Weber With this Gerry Weber ensemble, you can keep warm and cosy whilst looking stylish. There’s no need to sacrifice one for the other. 1 2 3 © Sonder Studio © Retaissance 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 11:07 Page 5LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 29 FASHION 4 5 6 © Phoebe Grace 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/01/2021 11:08 Page 6Next >