Page 52 • The HERALD • 30th January 2025 v GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE HERALD v DOWN THE GARDEN PATH SJB Gardening Services RHS Qualified & Experienced Gardener specialising in quality hedge cutting, shaping & pruning ❀ General garden maintenance ❀ Garden clearance ❀ Hedge removal ❀ Planting ❀ Mulching ❀ Creation of new beds & borders ❀ Pruning & removal of trees to approx 8 metres ❀ Commercial properties All Work Fully insured Free quotations call Simon on 07443 649192 Smithwood Landscaping Professional Gardening & Landscaping H SPECIAL WINTER RATES H • Seasonal Tidy Ups • Garden Redesign • Fencing • Trees & Shrubs Carefully Pruned • Astro Turf • Rockeries Designed • Ground Cover No Job Too Small as I am a Local Gardener Any advice over the phone is freely given Contact Gary (Master Landscaper) 07707 433194 SPADEWORK Family Landscaping & Fencing Team ] Decking & Natural Sandstone Paving ] Patios ] Driveways ] Block Paving ] Turfing ] All Types of Domestic & Commercial Fencing ] Security Fencing Supplied & Fitted Tel: (023) 8089 4909 Mobile: 07703 566814 u Free Estimates u Fully Insured All Aspects of Garden Work Undertaken • Driveways • Paving • Artificial Grass • Turfing • Decking • Fencing • Hedge Cutting • Landscaping Hythe Garden Contractors Family company established 1977 For a free quotation please call 023 8084 3556 or 023 8084 0378 Winter Survival Guide for Your Houseplants Advice from British Garden Centres Don’t let your beloved houseplants su er over winter, it can be a tough time for indoor plants, but with a few simple steps, you can keep them thriving. e British Garden Centres team has put together a handy guide to keep your houseplants happy. Light: Your houseplants may start to feel the pinch in the darker evenings, to keep them thriving, it’s essential to maximise their exposure to natural light. Watering and feeding: Overwatering is a common mistake during the winter months. Droopy, yellowing leaves are o en a sign of too much water. Most houseplants don’t require frequent watering in winter, doing it once a week should be su cient, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Succulents and cacti, adapted to arid conditions, need even less water, typically requiring a top-up only once a month. If your home’s air is particularly dry, consider grouping your plants to create a more humid microclimate. You can also mist them with water or relocate them to naturally humid areas like the kitchen or bathroom. As for feeding the winter and darker conditions slow down plant growth, reducing their nutrient needs so you will not require any fertiliser. Repotting: Winter is also a good time to repot your houseplants, especially if they’ve outgrown their current containers. While repotting, take the opportunity to inspect the roots and remove any that are rotten. Repot your plants in clean pots lled with fresh, sterile potting soil. A pot size increase of about 2 inches should provide ample room for your plants to grow Pests and diseases: Regularly inspecting your plants for pests is essential for maintaining their health throughout winter. Look out for common pests such as aphids, scale insects, thrips, and mealybugs, as they can quickly multiply and cause damage to your plant babies. Also check and remove any dead or yellowing foliage you nd. Dead leaves can harbour diseases, contributing to a decline in your plants’ health. Andy Little, Houseplant Buyer at British Garden Centres said: “With a bit of care and attention and following our guide, your houseplants can continue to flourish, bringing a touch of greenery and life to your home throughout the winter months.” regularly to ensure even growth and sunlight exposure on windowsills over the winter months. Temperature: It’s important to maintain a comfortable temperature for your houseplants. While they generally prefer a range of 12-18°C, sudden temperature uctuations can stress them out. Avoid turning the heating up too high, as this can dry out the soil and leaves. It’s best to keep your plants away from direct heat sources like radiators. If you must place them near a radiator, ensure they’re on a wide shelf or window sill to prevent their leaves from wilting. Remember to check the soil moisture regularly to avoid over or underwatering and protect your plants from cold dra s by keeping them away from windows and doors. Calathea Houseplant (Pixabay) Move them closer to windows or under skylights but be mindful of cold dra s and direct contact with cold glass as temperatures drop. A gentle dusting of their leaves will also help them absorb more light. Don’t forget to rotate your plants Can You Help a Local Beekeeper? A local beekeeper needs to nd a new location for her beehives. If you live within 5/6 miles of Hythe and would like a couple of beehives in your orchard/ eld or large garden to help with pollination please get in contact on: 07786 732043. e hives would be managed by a very experienced beekeeper.
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