< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYOh Christmas treewinter months. They are planted in rows with adistance between them of 1 to 2 metres toenable them to have space to grow. It usuallytakes between 5 and 8 years, depending on thespecies, before a Christmas tree is ready forharvesting. During these years we have toensure their survival. This involves a number ofthings such as weed control. We monitor,prevent and manage any insect infestation andcarry out regular pruning to ensure you get thebest shaped trees.The most popular type of Christmas tree isthe Nordmanns Fir and this is probably due tothem retaining their needles the longest. Sowhen you have picked your tree there are anumber of things you can do to ensure yourtree lasts as long as possible:* Buy a fresh tree. You can ensure this bygoing direct to the grower (your localChristmas Tree Farm). You can find out whoWhile we are all running around preparingfor the festive season we do not alwaysappreciate how things are produced so we canhave a very merry Christmas. Take the humbleChristmas tree, for example. Do you know howlong it takes for these to grow and how muchtime and effort goes into growing them?We manage a couple of Christmas treeplantations in the county and we tend to themall year round. The production of Christmastrees is a labour intensive process from start tofinish. Before you plant the transplant you needto prepare the land. This might involve clearingdebris from the site, removing all weeds andapplying fertilisers if it is considered necessary.You also need to ensure that the land is animalpest free, which usually means using specificfencing.Once the land is ready, the young trees areplanted by hand; this is usually within theEd FullerEd Fuller from FullersForestry and Landscapingreveals just how much workgoes into ensuring you havea tree in time for Christmas. 20-21_Layout 1 14/11/2016 13:59 Page 1they are online. I know a few good ones!* When you get it home do not take it straight inside. Leaveit outside, in a cool dry place such as a porch or shed, awayfrom wind and in a bucket of water. Make sure it is out ofview as it is just the sort of thing to be stolen at this time ofyear. * After a day or so you can look to bring it inside, butbefore you do take off the bottom of the tree (about 3cm).* The positioning of your tree is important as you don’twant it to be too close to heat sources (i.e. radiators or openfires).You need to place your tree in water but not soil or sand asthese would block the pores in the bark. You can buy speciallydesigned stands now that allow you to top up the waterregularly. Your tree will need 2-3 pints of water a day and youcan add sugar which will help with needle retention.So when you go and collect your Christmas tree justremember that it probably took at least 5 years of beinglooked after so it could grow into the tree that you picked outto decorate your home this year. LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21Specialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATIONQUOTATIONSFULLERSForestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comGARDEN ADVICEPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ARTAZUM* Keep checking that your greenhouseheaters are working and your winterprotection structures are still securely inplace. You can place cloches over tenderplants to give them extra protection fromfrost* Make sure your pond doesn’t freeze* Prune apple and pear trees* Your leeks, parsnips, winter cabbagesand sprouts should be ready forharvesting ready for the big day.However make sure they are stored awayfrom mice* You can work off Christmas excesses bydigging over bare areas of ground* You may need to do one last collectionof autumn leaves. Around the gardenI hope you allhave a wonderfulChristmas day and everyoneat Fullers would liketo wish you aHappy Christmas andProsperousNew Year. 20-21_Layout 1 14/11/2016 13:59 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYAn InspirationalLincolnshire Garden22-26_Layout 1 14/11/2016 14:01 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23GARDENSOf course, it wasn’t always quite like this – whenMike & Helen Boothman first spotted Mill Farm inGrasby around 15 years ago they chose it for itsproximity to the local Grammar School not for itsgardening potential. Indeed, as Helen explains, “The garden was non-existent really, but gardening was the furthest thingfrom our minds. The previous owner had left thehouse in a state that required some work, so it tooka fair bit of effort to make it comfortable for ourfamily. We only turned our hand to the garden afterwe’d sorted that. Neither Mike nor I had muchgardening experience although it has grown into abit of a passion since.”That’s evident now, looking at the house andgarden that sits here now - over 3 acres of garden,divided into different planting areas and surroundedby open views across sweeping fields. The approach to the house is relatively formal withshrubs, trees and a large pergola or “bandstand” asHelen jokingly calls it. Entering by the rear gate I seethe remains of a windmill, which is still the mainfocus of the rear garden, framed beautifully withherbaceous beds and borders all around it. On closerinspection I see the inside of the windmill has beenadapted into a fernery, and the aforementionedborders are packed with different grasses and hardyperennials, beckoning the visitor to tour its entirety,along a well kept lawn. “Mike has been largely responsible for the design,”says Helen. “Although we’ve never actually madeany drawings made; not even sketches. He just has24 ÁIt’s such a pleasure for us to visitgardens around the county and Mikeand Helen Boothman’s garden atGrasby is no exception offering thebest of both worlds - a beautifullylandscaped garden overlookingsweeping countryside.22-26_Layout 1 14/11/2016 14:01 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSthis picture in his head I suppose, and wework to that, which seems to work for us.”Asked where they get their inspiration,Helen replies, “We became members of theHardy Plant Society in Lincoln, after chattingwith a few members at my parents’ house andthat’s been invaluable in terms of planting andknowledge of plants but in terms of designsand features we love visiting other peoplesgardens as it’s hard not to take away ideas totry at home.”Confirmation of this is all around us at MillFarm, from the wildlife pond guarded byHenry the Heron, made from fabricated metal,a gravelled water feature that drops over threeor four different levels, then there’s the rosegarden, a shade house with a lovely carvedowl surrounded by a variety of shade lovingplants, specimen trees, herbaceous beds,vegetable beds and that’s just to name a few,or should I say ‘phew’! There’s even a small26 Á22-26_Layout 1 14/11/2016 14:01 Page 3Fillingham CHRISTMAS TREES Visit us just 5 minutes from the showground Scunthorpe A15 Lincoln We are here! Kirton Lindsey B1398 Fillingham Ingham Lincolnshire For all your FreshChristmas Trees!Open daily from the end ofNovember 9am to 5pm andthroughout December 9am to 6pmOpen 9am to 5pm weekendsOur extensive range of home growncut trees will be available as wellas a selection of pot grown treesWhy not browse our range ofdecorations or enjoy a cake and hot drink in our café(weekends only)Don’t miss Father Christmas inhis grottoEnjoy fun and balloons with ourvisiting entertainers, Bruno theDonkey and much more…Visit our website for full detailsor follow us on facebookCastle Farm,Fillingham,Gainsborough, DN21 5BX(Off the B1398, 8 milesnorth of Lincoln)Call 01427 667014 or visitwww.fillingham-trees.co.ukVisit Santa at his Grotto(from November 19th)MidlandsDestinationGarden Centreof the year2016millstonegardencentre.co.uk01472 828 150 Cheapside, Waltham, Grimsby DN37 0HX EXCLUSIVESAME DAYDELIVERYAT A TIMETO SUIT YOU!Mon to Sat: 8:00—5:00pm. Sun: 10—4pmNNORWAY SPRUCEThThee clcassic Christmas Tree. Grreaeat tscent. Dense folliaige.NeNeedededdddleleleeles s ss s sdrdddopopopppp m m mmmmororore e e ee rererererereadadaadadililililllyyyyyyNORWAY SPRUCEThe classic Christmas Tree. Great scent. Dense foliage. Needles drop more readilyBBLUUEE SPRUCCEEBluee neeeedles. Lovelyy ssccent. DDense fofliagage.e Holdsds needles bbeeettttttterererere tt t ttttthahahahaaahn nnNoNrwwwwayayayy s s sprprprprucucuceeeBLUE SPRUCEBlue needles. Lovely scent. Dense foliage. Holds needles better than Norway spruceNORDMANN FIRBeautiful scennt.t. D Dark greensmoootht needllees. GrGreaeat t brbanch ststststststststststrurrrrctcturure.V Veery sllowowt to drdropopNORDMANN FIRBeautiful scent. Dark green smooth needles. Great branch structure. Very slow to dropPPIICCEEAA OOMMOORRIIKKAAGrGreaeat t shshape.e.G Gororgegeouous sararomoma.a Blueey-y-GGreen n n2-2-totonene effecectt neneededleleeees.ss.s.s.s. S SS SS S S S Sllololooolololow wwwww wwwtotottttd drropPICEA OMORIKAGreat shape. Gorgeous aroma. Bluey-Green 2-tone effect needles. Slow to dropCCCCCYYYYYCCCCLLLLAAAAAMMMMMMEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNBriBrightht & & mmulti-ti-iicolccoururrfululfulfulfulllllwwiwiwinwinwwterter--blblbloommmoooinggnggngggnggnggggCYCLAMENBright & multi-colourfulwinter-bloomingHUGEGEGEGEGESSSS SELELELELELECECECECECTIITITITIONONONONONHUGE SELECTION22-26_Layout 1 14/11/2016 14:01 Page 4GARDENSnursery on site with home grown plants that Helenand Mike grow for their own garden and sell tovisitors on open days.“We propagate most of our own plants to keepthe borders well stocked and we often take a few tothe Hardy Plant Society and swap them with othermembers who do the same – quite often this’llintroduce some interesting plants that we haven’tconsidered before and ensure there’s alwayssomething new to see in our borders.”Over the years, Helen has become very involvedwith the National Garden Scheme, firstly by holdingopen days at Mill Farm garden to help the NGS raisemuch needed funds for charity and secondly asCounty Organiser & Treasurer of the NGS she keepsin regular contact with other members andgardeners who open their gardens. “Its veryrewarding,” says Helen. “I find opening under theNGS scheme gives us another incentive, if ever weneed it, to keep all the borders in shape and I’drecommend anyone with an interesting andattractive garden to consider opening theirs too. Youdon’t have to have a garden that’d win a Chelseagold medal and it’s great to have feedback fromsomeone other than your immediate circle of familyand friends.”Mill Farm garden is truly is a lovely setting and isfull of variety and interest all year round. It is wellprotected by established trees and shrubs, but thecouple have managed to accomplish this withoutobscuring the amazing views of the countrysidebeyond. The water features create a peaceful havenfor an abundance of wildlife and make this awonderful country retreat. If you’d like to see it for yourself, the Garden isopen to visitors between May until August everyThursday, Sunday and bank holidays and is open on21st May 2017 as part of the NGS scheme.22-26_Layout 1 14/11/2016 14:01 Page 5LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27SOCIAL SCENEYoung Farmerscome to NewarkJAMES HADDINGTON, ADAM MITCHELL, TOM PARROLLY WILSON, KIELEY KURTTHE SPALDING GIRLSZOE CHAPAL, JAMES GRATTONSARAH HOUSEMAN,MEGAN TAYLORTHE MARKET RASEN YOUNG FARMERSWAYNE &BETHANY SYSONAMY TINDALE,EDDIE ALLENPHOTOS: RICHARD PICKSLEYOver 400 of the county’s young farmers enjoyed a fun filled evening at the Newark showground Cedric FordPavilion, the theme this year was ‘Fur and Feathers’ with many taking part the guests not only looked the partbut they had a fab night. Entertainment and live music was supplied, as ever, by local band the Baltic Donkeys27_Layout 1 14/11/2016 14:03 Page 128 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNFor many people in our part of the world – andfrom even further afield – the festive season hasn’tofficially started until they visit Lincoln. It’s hard tothink of anywhere in Lincolnshire more lively in thefestive period than the city of Lincoln itself. Alocation where culture and history meetcontemporary life, shopping and entertainment;there’s a reason why the city lights up eachDecember, drawing around 300,000 visitors for itsiconic Lincoln Christmas Market. The market this year will run from the 1st to the4th of December and the stalls are a sight to see,back dropped against not only the walls of theCastle, but also with the Cathedral rearing above itall in the distance. With hundreds of stalls selling arange of eclectic goods, it’s easy to pick up someunique gifts for friends and family alike – or just toenjoy the experience. Don’t forget to break up thetrip by visiting some of the fantastic independentretailers just outside the castle too. From those whoadorn the iconic Bailgate street, down Steep Hill andeven into the High Street of Lincoln itself. There’s nobetter place to pick up some last minute gifts or, forthe more organised, a chance to simply pamperthemselves for a change. With more than 250 stalls,traditional entertainment and delicacies from acrossthe globe, Britain’s best Christmas market brings in£10 million per year and showcases Lincoln’sCathedral, medieval castle and Steep HillLincoln is a cathedral city with over 2,000 years ofrich history. Just last year, the 800th anniversary ofthe Magna Carta was celebrated – the iconic relicstill viewable in the Castle, which recentlyunderwent a £22 million restoration. If we’refortunate, or depending on your view unfortunate,enough to have snow this year, then the sight fromthe walls can truly be a magical one. As December hits the lights in Lincoln will comeLincolnCapital of our fair county and a prime destination for both shopping andentertainment, the city of Lincoln comes alive this Christmas.Christmas in30 Á28-31_Layout 1 15/11/2016 12:37 Page 128-31_Layout 1 15/11/2016 12:37 Page 2Next >