< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY A year ago, we were just getting back to work after three months of lockdown. We are still complying with social distancing and ensuring we do all we can to keep our clients and employees safe and will continue to do so. For the last year, and especially in the last four months, we have received an unprecedented number of enquiries. This shows how important our garden and outdoor spaces are to us, and how the last year has reaffirmed this. Gardens are hugely beneficial to our mental health and well-being, and this can be achieved in many ways. One of these ways is through community gardening and volunteering. This helps us to connect with other people and give back to the community. When you are feeling low, you may not want to socialise, and this can lower your mood further. Connecting with other people, with a shared interest, can lift your mood and ensure you do not become isolated. After a strange year, with isolating being a big part of it, then this would be a great way to reconnect. © Shutterstock / Sofiaworld gardening Feeling good with GARDEN ADVICE Ed Fuller from Fullers Landscaping explores how the importance of gardens on our mental health and wellbeing. 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:33 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 GARDEN ADVICE Gardening also keeps you active. You do not need to do hard digging as just a small amount of activity can help. Many studies have shown that physical activity can improve mental health as it releases feel-good hormones that make you feel better and give your more energy. Being active can also help with better sleep which in turn will help with your mood. Your garden is also an outdoor space where you can relax, entertain your family and friends, or play with the kids. These activities can help with your well-being especially after a year of less social interaction. Hopefully, we will have many hot summer days and warm evenings in which we can enjoy our gardens, especially with family and friends. • Plant out annual summer bedding plants now the risk of frost has passed. • Plant up containers, hanging baskets and planters. • Pinch out the tips of Fuchsias to encourage more flowers. • As soon as your sweet peas start to flower, keep picking them to encourage more blooms. • Harvest salad crops and re-sow every 2 weeks for a constant supply of tasty leaves. • Start to prune your plum or cherry trees now. • Protect any developing fruits from birds and squirrels by placing netting around your plants. • Use water butts as much as you can to water your plants. • Keep removing blanketweed from your pond to allow the plants and fish room to breathe. • Keep feeding the birds and provide them with a water. © Shutterstock / Photographee.eu © Shutterstock / Juriah Mosin 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:33 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY GARDENS beds offer improved drainage in comparison to the ground, potatoes and leafy greens thrive too. They are also enjoyed by produce that desires well controlled soil, such as onions which like lots of organic matter. Containers filled with potting compost and growbags are other good alternatives where your soil is not an option, while Styrofoam boxes with drain holes can even be utilised alongside yoghurt pots, plastic fruit and veg and takeaway trays to replace small plant pots. Once soil has been warmed up by the sun, it’s time to sow. Sow seeds thinly into fertile damp soil or compost and place them in the brightest possible spot. Vegetables like carrots and parsnips can be sown outdoors in their final location, however others must be sown indoors or under cover. When starting with seeds one might instead begin with trays or pots of compost where seeds will germinate to be transplanted in the garden. A quick Google of your chosen vegetable will offer you a wealth of information on the conditions it requires and the best method for growth. Many are buying packets of seeds at present, but for those too busy to sow seeds why not consider purchasing plug plants to simplify gardening? Though it is worth bearing in mind, this will be pricier. After planting is complete, soil must be damp, yet not too wet. A quick finger wiggle under the surface can be used to test moisture levels. For first-timers fruit crops such as tomatoes and vegetative crops like lettuce are easy grows. Tomatoes can be grown in containers and need around six hours of sunlight daily along Since the first national lockdown, there has been an upsurge in the number of people getting out their gardens and growing their own produce. With most lockdown measures now thankfully behind us, and as we enter summer, people are continuing to plant, pick and tuck into their own home-grown fruit and vegetables. In creating a vegetable garden, you’ll first have to decide where to plant your veggies. In most cases they will need as much sunlight as possible, so avoid shady areas. If, however, your garden is prone to shade, don’t worry, vegetables like lettuce, peas, chard, beetroot, spinach and runner beans will be able to handle it. Remove the grass from your chosen area and fork over the soil. Next you will need to ensure your soil will promote the growth of your produce and is clear of weeds and stones. Different gardens will hold different soil, and though you cannot change this, you can improve soil with compost and fertiliser as required. If your garden hosts unideal soil, consider installing a raised bed, which are particularly good for small plots of vegetables and make for an attractive feature. Choose a light and airy open space and create a frame at least 30cm in height. There is a plethora of ready-made flatpack kits for raised beds that can be bought online to make this process easy. Alternatively construct a raised bed from timber, stone or brick. One can then customise soil to grow plants that wouldn’t ordinarily grow well in your garden. Root vegetables including beetroot, parsnips and carrots are ideal for raised beds, but since raised Your garden, your kingdom They say one’s house is one’s kingdom, but let’s not go forgetting the garden. After all, what kind of a kingdom would it be without grounds? 22-23.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:34 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 23 GARDENS with plenty of water. The versatile plant can be grown on a windowsill, patio, or in a pot out in the garden. Merely select good quality potting soil. Lettuce meanwhile can easily be grown in containers. A deep pot is required along with good quality potting soil mixed with vermiculite. For quick growers consider onions, peas, beans, baby carrots, lettuce and radishes. As we enter June, it is a prime time to snip off and spray your roses and protect ripe fruits from ravenous pests. Moreover, now’s the time to plant out tender vegetables and to start feeding and pinch out tomatoes. Baskets and containers will want feeding, so make sure they’re not neglected and, speaking of not neglected, June is the perfect time to support tall-growing perennials. As well as lifting tulip bulbs, you’ll also want to snip, so and dry herbs and, if you have any, lavender will want to be cut for drying. On a similar note, harvest and so salad seeds. That’s barely scraping the surface, so be sure to check out our garden advice pages. Of course, gardening sometimes need a lot more work to get started than a spade or trowel. Often, power equipment is what’s needed to shape, style, remodel and maintain one’s garden. From strimmers, tillers and mowers, to power tools, scarifiers and chainsaws, there’s a tool to suit every job. Fortunately here in Lincolnshire, there’s some top-class shops and suppliers that will provide everything you and your garden could possibly need. © Shutterstock /V irrage Images © Shutterstock /Serhii Krot © Shutterstock /Shyntartanya Charles H Hill Ltd. Moor Lane, Horsington, Woodhall Spa, LN10 5HH. Tel: 01526 388281 www.charleshhill.co.uk 22-23.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:34 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Summer’s here Summer’s here at last and there’s plenty to get excited about – no least the stunning offerings our favourite fashion brands are serving up. Summer’s here 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:38 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 25 FASHION Numph Light, flowing, floral – this Numph dress is everything you want from a summer outfit and more. 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:38 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION Above: My Mother’s Garden From My Mother’s Garden’s butterfly catcher long robe is nothing short of striking with its bold colours and flowing fit. Top right: Masai If you weren’t already wearing Masai, this on trend seasonal dress should be enough to convince you. Right: Gerry Weber Gerry Weber don’t pull their punches with this exquisite summer dress. It’ll keep you cool whilst making you look a million pounds. Opposite: Barbour One for casual days. Barbour couple style and comfort for an outfit that’s suited for the beach, going for a walk or hanging around the house. © From My Mother ’s Garden 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:38 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 27 FASHION © Barbour 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:38 Page 428 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION 1) LauRie Simple elegance never looked so good. LauRie know the power of restraint. 2) Marc Cain It wouldn’t be summer without a splash of pink now would it? Of course, this is Marc Cain so this is no run of the mill outfit. It’s another must have. 3) Samoon Samoon create a lovely summer look by pairing blue and brown to wonderful effect. 4) Ichi Close your eyes, imagine a summer outfit and, chances are, this’ll be what you see. Ichi serve up the definite summer look. All you need now is to try it on. 5) Taifun This Taifun outfit is nothing short of striking. Be bold this summer, dare to be different. 1 2 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:39 Page 5LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11 FASHION © DK Company – ICHI 3 4 5 24-33.qxp_Layout 1 26/05/2021 07:39 Page 6Next >