Page 21 - Cornwall Issue 5 2021

THE BIG PICTURE
ADVERTORIAL

The Coronavirus pandemic has

shown us how important home

becomes in times of crisis

estrictions on our freedom of movement 2. COMPOSTING AT HOME
heighten our perception of our home as a place In addition to care and water, plants need to be provided with
of sanctuary, where we feel safe and secure. This nutrients before they can bear fruit or show off their colours.
has created the desire to use open spaces and get Experienced gardeners can make their own compost instead
creative with the outside garden space. ardening
Rprovides a constant source of new projects for of relying on pre-processed commercial fertilisers. Home-
plant-lovers to get excited about – whether they’re newcomers or made compost is cheap, good for improving the soil, and can
be made in a compost bin.
old hands. Every step of the process, from dreaming up new ideas
through to planning them out and making them a reality, is filled The compost bin should be positioned in a sheltered and
with moments of insight and joy.
partially shaded area in order to ensure that its contents don’t
dry out or get washed away by the rain. When setting up the
In order to maintain the garden to look clean and fresh, that are bin, it’s important to make sure that insects and worms can
some key activities that need to take place especially during access it. They help transform kitchen and garden waste into
Spring and Summer and these tips and ideas can help every valuable plant food. Using a mouse-proof mesh prevents rats
gardener no matter the size of the projec
and larger vermin from getting into the bin.
1. VEGETABLE GARDENS FOR BEGINNERS
Vegetable patches are suitable for new gardeners of all ages.
Fresh shoots quickly lead to a sense of achievement – and to
edible results! Among other things, they teach children to find
their way around the garden, care for living things and appreciate
the wide range of different types of vegetable.
Sunny spots are ideal for vegetable patches. Larger plants that
take up a lot of space are easy to reach even when planted
toward the back of the garden bed, smaller vegetables are best
positioned towards the front.

Soil preparation is extremely important and using the correct
tools makes this task easy and effortless. The GARDENA
combisystem range of tools offers a solution to all types of
activities towards preparing the soil – from tilling soil, removing
weeds, raking and cultivating. The combisystem works on the
principle of one handle that can be interchangeable with a wide
range of different tool heads.

3. MAKING THE PERFECT FERTILISER
– LAYER BY LAYER
There are a few things to consider when starting a compost
heap. The bottom layer should be composed of cut-up
branches and leaves, allowing air and crucial animal helpers
to enter. This is followed by a layer of garden soil, which
provides the compost with microorganisms. Only then is it
time to add the kitchen waste: eggshells, fruit peels, tea leaves
and coffee grounds, as well as small amounts of paper, make
delicious snacks for the animal compost workers. Round off
their meal with lightly dried grass clippings and mulched
leaves. Garden centres sell compost accelerators (also called
compost starters or activators) and rock dust to give the
compost a loose consistency. These aid in decomposition and
prevent waterlogging and bad smells, as well as promoting a
fine, crumbly texture.
A few weeks after the compost heap has been constructed,
when it has sunken by about a third, it can be sifted or turned.
Both these tasks serve to aerate and mix the compost. With

Cornwall View • Issue 5 2021 19