Essentially Local Magazine MAR-APR 2018
Essentially Local offers a directory of local businesses and services which encourages the community around Milton Keynes, Stony Stratford and Wolverton to shop local. You'll find articles, useful information, reader offers and a competition. There is something for every age group. Read on to find out more.
Essentially Local offers a directory of local businesses and services which encourages the community around Milton Keynes, Stony Stratford and Wolverton to shop local. You'll find articles, useful information, reader offers and a competition. There is something for every age group. Read on to find out more.
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Home & Garden<br />
Chemical free gardening<br />
Cut down use of chemicals in your<br />
garden – and reduce the amount of<br />
plastic containers you buy.<br />
Nature and the planet will thank you!<br />
• Weeds on your patio or driveway?<br />
Boiling water from your kettle is<br />
effective.<br />
• Your own compost heap (ideally<br />
two) will produce free compost that<br />
doesn’t come pre-wrapped. No room?<br />
Contact your Council for details of<br />
their deliveries.<br />
• Visit your local library to borrow<br />
expert advice - Bob Flowerdew’s Complete Book of Companion<br />
Planting will help you to plan a wonderful garden that works without<br />
chemicals.<br />
• Make your own plant tonics from comfrey and nettles – find recipes<br />
and advice on library shelves or online.<br />
• Learn to live with a few imperfections and wildlife will love your<br />
garden.<br />
Garden veg<br />
of the month<br />
Parsnips are a useful source of<br />
fibre and antioxidant vitamins C<br />
and E. Sow now for a winter crop.<br />
Parsnip seeds have a short shelf<br />
life so always buy fresh each year,<br />
or save your own seed annually.<br />
They can be difficult to germinate,<br />
so sow three seeds at each station<br />
and weed out the smallest if<br />
surplus appear. Best sown direct<br />
into their rows, as they don’t take<br />
kindly to being transplanted.<br />
Some success can be had<br />
sowing into root trainers in the<br />
greenhouse for an earlier crop,<br />
planting out carefully when the<br />
soil warms up.<br />
Asbestos alert<br />
Many people are thinking of renovating sheds and garages at this<br />
time of year and if that includes you please be asbestos aware. From<br />
the 1950s till as late as the 90s asbestos was widely used in building<br />
materials and electrical insulation.<br />
Asbestos is now known to cause serious and sometimes fatal diseases,<br />
including asbestosis and lung cancer. If you find it in buildings in your<br />
garden or in your home, leave it undisturbed and send for professionals<br />
to remove it safely.<br />
Where might you find it?<br />
• Asbestos cement roofs,<br />
panels, gutters, downpipes,<br />
flues<br />
• Asbestos soffits<br />
• Asbestos insulating boards<br />
For concerns and questions about asbestos<br />
Call UK Asbestos 01604 240507<br />
Visit asbestosuk.co.uk<br />
Also sow cabbages, an excellent<br />
source of vitamin C. Choose<br />
your favourite variety and follow<br />
the sowing instructions on the<br />
packet.<br />
42<br />
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