EL Magazine MAY-JUN 2018

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If your reliable old lawn mower suddenly decides to stop cutting as well as it should, or sounds a little strange, if it starts at all, do you replace or repair? Your decision should depend the age of the machine and the cost of repair. Also consider if your lawn has changed in size or shape and your physical abilities. Some problems are relatively easy to fix while others may not be worth the expense. Fuses are one of the most common problems in electric machines while spark plugs and air filters cause many problems for petrol ones. The manual will help with troubleshooting but don’t attempt a repair when you don’t know what you are doing. Like any machine good maintenance with regular checks is essential for longevity: 42 Home & Garden Not cutting like it should Feed your lawn Electrics – check for frayed cables, clean connecting pins on batteries. Storage – batteries degrade and stop holding charge in extreme temperatures. Component checks - keep spark plugs, ventilation slots and blades clean. Check for general wear and change oil on your petrol mower every year. Still not sure what to do, then for professional advice, repairs or new machines speak to Paul Riley at Riley Power Tools, Cherry Lane Garden Centre, Towcester 01908 542226 A little TLC will keep your lawn looking lush and green while keeping pests, disease and moss at bay. TLC means regular mowing, reseeding damaged areas and feeding your lawn to prevent weeds, moss and keeps blades healthy. When mowing keep your blades sharp and reseed with the correct seeds for the conditions. Ryegrass works better in heavily used areas and shade tolerant seeds are better where there are lots of trees. If you feed it yourself follow the manufacturer’s instructions for quantities and time of year for application. Moss may be a sign of a damp, poorly drained and compacted soil. It could also be due to infertile or acidic soil as well as shade. Scarifying machines or rakes can remove it but it is hard work! Garden fruit of the edition Rhubarb is actually a vegetable that comes into season from April to June. Grow it from seed or the easier option is to plant dormant crowns in the autumn or spring. It’s relatively easy to grow - simply choose an open sunny site with moist, free draining soil to plant the crown. Put it into well-rotted manure until only the crown is visible above the soil. You can also grow it in pots. Discard the leaves as soon as you’ve cut the stalks – they’re poisonous and contain oxalic acid. The top growth will die back in autumn, remove the dead leaves to expose the crown to frost preparing for next year’s growth. Common problems include crown rot and slugs and snails. Stew or poach your fresh rhubarb for about 8-10 minutes with plenty of sugar to make it more edible. Try mixing it with ginger or strawberries to add to the flavour. Watering over the summer isn’t normally necessary as a drop of rain will restore it. During dry times, spike hard ground with a fork to help water penetration. You will only need to water once every 7-10 days. If laying a new lawn, don’t use it for at least the first week and then only use it lightly for the first season. Water but don’t overwater. An easier, more effective and cost-effective way of keeping your lawn looking good is to use services like All Green Lawns or Green Thumb. These companies have access to more specialist products and equipment and they do the hard work! All Green Lawns 01908 965740 Green Thumb 01908 850548 Please mention Essentially Local when responding to advertisers
Home & Garden Gardens to suit your lifestyle From full garden design and landscaping projects to garden maintenance, we will provide expert advice and guidance so you can achieve the perfect outdoor space for you. Whatever your requirements we will work closely with you to achieve the results you want. See our website for full range of services and examples of our work. • Landscape design projects • Hardwood decking specialists • Professional planting schemes • Water features and electrical lighting • Natural stone patios Contact: Danny Prestedge Office: 01908 474 931 Mobile: 07532 451 812 email: info@francisrose.co.uk www.francisrose.co.uk To advertise please call 01908 380777 43
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EL Magazine MAY-JUN 2018

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