Bee houses. Sales are up

I’m glad about the sales in bee houses as I’m particularly concerned about the plight of the bees. There is no doubt that the bees are on the decline.
I sell bee houses because they provide a safe habitat to breed and they are made in the UK using FSC wood.
I do make a few bob out of the sales to cover expenses but the income is not my objective whereas helping the bees is.
Dr Who mentioned the disappearance of bees in the 21st Century, as well as did the Wildlife Gardening program with Chris Beardshaw where they quote Einstein saying that with no bees the human race will die out.
A pressing thought yet there are things we can do to help, provide nectar plants for bees and provide nesting places for them to breed.
I was recently told by a Environmental Biologist that bees are finding it harder to locate flowers due to the lack of scent caused by pollution.
The sooner they bring in Hydrogen powered cars the better. The emission being H2O = water. That sounds like a very good idea.

How to save and store tomato seeds

Saving seeds from ripe tomatoes

In order to get the best seeds you’ll need to collect from ripe, healthy tomato fruits.

Unripe tomatoes won’t have had enough time to produce mature seeds.
Cut or squash the tomatoes to extract the seeds.
Discard the flesh of the tomatoes, saving only the seeds.

Tomato seeds have a protective 'seed coat' which neds to be removed

The seeds will be surrounded by a jelly-like ’seed coat’ which needs to be removed

To remove the protective seed coat, place the seeds in water

The best way to get rid of the seed coat is to soak the seeds in water for 7-10 days.

Tomato seeds in water. Day 1

 

The protective coat is disolved after 10 days in water

After this period most if not all the jelly will have rotted in the water leaving just the seeds.

Seive the seeds through a strainer

Pour the seeds in to a seive and rinse with clean running water. A gentle rub with your fingers will seperate any remaining jelly.

Shake the seive to remove as much water as possible before tipping the seeds on to a piece of tissue paper. Seperate the seeds so that they are not touching each other and leave to dry for a further few days.

When dry the seeds can be stored in a dry paper bag

When completely dry place the seeds in a sealed paper bag and keep cool and dry, or you can use a sealed plastic bag and keep the seeds in a fridge (not the freezer).
Remember to lable the seeds.

Properly stored, the seeds can stay viable for a number of years.

Tomato advice is just one of the thousands of plant advice on the Complete Gardens CD-ROM

Storing potatoes

Harvesting potatoes

Once you’ve dug up your potatoes the best way I’ve found to store potatoes is to use a polystyrene box. A polystyrene box will keep the contents cool yet keep the frost out and the potatoes in the dark.

Put a layer of sand in to a polystyrene box

Fill the box with sand

Place damage free potatoes in the sand but not touching each other

Place the potatoes in the sand, but not touching each other. It’s a good idea to select the good ones and avoid storing potatoes that are damaged by slugs or cuts or bruises.

Add more layers of sand and potatoes

Cover the potatoes with sand and add another layer of potatoes and cover them with sand.

Close the lid to keep frost, rain, light and vermin out.

Close the lid to protect from vermin, frost, rain and light.

More information about finding advice plants and advice see Complete Garden garden plant advice CD-ROM.

Cleve West writes Independent Review on Garden advice software

RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold winning garden designer Cleve West has written a review in the Independent Newspaper.  Saturday 25th October 2008

Cleve has written a review about the Complete Garden plant advice and pruning guide encyclopaedia CD-ROM.

Being featured in a National Newspaper and written by such a respected Garden Designer will be a big boost in raising the interactive, visual plant database CD-ROM profile.

Cleve West Independent review http://www.independent.co.uk/life-st…ow-969471.html

The only information missing from his glowing review are the contact details where to buy the Complete Gardens CD-ROM and that the software is both PC & MAC compatible.

Many people will be unaware that such a product exists, so Cleve’s review will be a great help.

A CD-ROM is disc that you insert in to your computer. The CD-ROM allows the user to request information that appears within seconds by a simple a click of a button.

A CD-ROM can hold thousands of images plus data and illustrations which is easily accessable.

In addition you can add your own notes and print them with images plus make plant lists of plants you have and plant you want and the unique calendar lists reminds you which plants will be in flower and remind you which of your plants that need pruning and how.

The CD-ROM is designed to help you find plants for every area of your garden and season.

With this simple yet basic knowledge, the CD-ROM can help garden enthusiasts whatever level of experience find the right plants for the right time and place in order to create a garden with seasonal colour and interest.

Design a growing garden using the right plants, right time right place

Garden plant finder, identifier and pruning advice software for landscape and garden design needs. PC and MAC compatible

Plant finder. Select the right plants for your garden conditions using the right plants right time and place

 Interactive, 3,500 garden plant identifier database with 9,000 photographs, displays the right plants for the right time and place within seconds. Helps you select the best plants to suit the conditions and create seasonal colour and interest.

 If your looking for advice selecting the right plants for shade or full sun or any garden condition but not sure which plants will survive, then the interactive garden advice, plant identifier and pruning guide database could be a useful plant resource to assist with your landscaping and garden design needs.
The plant database covers 3,500 garden plants from bulbs to trees and illustrated with 9,000 photographs to help with identification and seasonal changes.
To find the right plants to suit your needs, simply select any combination of month or season, colour, height, soil type, aspect or name and click search.
Within seconds the best plants to suit the requiremnts are displayed. Each plant is accompanied with in-depth planting advice, illustrated pruning techniques, pests, diseases and propagation information.

Each plants is accompanied with in-depth description, images, plant care and pruning advice plus pests, diseases and propagation tips

Each plant is accompanied with in-depth description, planting and illustrated pruning advice.
It’s possible to make visual, printable plant lists for personal use or to give to staff or clients.
The Calendar records the plants you have and reminds you when and how to prune the plants.
Add individual notes to plants and print with images.
The Complete gardens plant advice software has been designed for home use, professional gardeners and Garden Designers who want to find the right plants for every growing condition and seasonal need.
A useful plant resource to help with landscaping and garden design.
The Complete Gardens CD-ROM is the brainchild of Emmy Award winning cameraman / photographer Neil Bromhall. The Times have described the images ‘Stunningly lovely photography’ BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine ‘A Useful plant resource’ and Gold winning Garden Designer Chris Beardshaw wrote ‘This CD-ROM is the next best  thing to having your own private gardener‘
The Complete Gardens advice software is PC & MAC compatible
System requirements 256 RAM. PC Pentium 2 and above Windows 2000, XP and Vista. MAC OS 8.6 and above and Leopard compatible
Free helpline and garden forum to share questions and knowledge. If you have any garden problems put them to our members.
British nurseries should check this out, as their is a ‘where to buy’ link from the CD-ROM to recommended plant suppiers.