CLEAN UP TO PROTECT OUR BIRDS
Britain remains to be affected by the worst epidemic of fowl flu since information started.
Birds which habitually flock in winter — starlings, titmice, lapwings, and so on — are particularly weak and plenty of are already dying.
Gathering on feeding tables sadly additionally helps to unfold the illness.
In case you feed such guests, together with home sparrows, pictured, to your backyard commonly, step up your hygiene routines. Clear and scrub feeders, fowl tables and so on with further care.
Britain remains to be affected by the worst epidemic of fowl flu that we’ve seen. Nigel Colborn explains that there are issues we will do to guard our birds
Steadily clear up particles under your feeder.
Bear in mind too, that avian influenza can leap species to contaminate different animals, together with people in uncommon circumstances. Home birds — hens, geese and so on — may carry fowl flu and have to be saved underneath cowl.
After feeding or dealing with poultry or gathering eggs, wash your palms completely.
This pernicious illness has not solely destroyed thousands and thousands of untamed birds, however has additionally invaded industrial flocks of laying hens, geese and geese — in addition to Christmas turkeys.
And the devastating Spanish flu epidemic which started in 1918 is believed to have killed no less than 50 million folks around the globe.
That’s stated to have began on a duck farm in america. So please be cautious and preserve issues clear.
WAKEY, WAKEY
Snowdrops, yellow aconites and different small, winter-flowering bulbs are waking up now
Plant of the week
Salvia officinalis
Purple Salvia officinalis
Gold, Purple or three-coloured culinary sage, Salvia officinalis.
Humble it could be, however sage has terrific backyard worth. Initially from international locations within the Mediterranean, backyard sage develops as a gawky sub-shrub with rough-surfaced, evergreen and deliciously fragrant leaves.
In early summer season, racemes of attractively hooked, violet blue flowers seem. These are liked by bees and butterflies. Varieties with engaging leaves embrace purple, inexperienced and cream Tricolor, goldtinted Aurea and sultry, purplish Purpurascens.
Culinary sage thrives in any well-drained soil, in full solar.
Snowdrops, yellow aconites and different small, winter-flowering bulbs are waking up now. With local weather change, many seem and even flower prematurely. Take care, if you happen to do any digging or disturb the bottom the place winter bulbs develop. You may benefit from cosy spots on the ft of south-facing partitions and plant extra-early bulbs. Yellow Crocus ancyrensis or striped C. imperati may present flowers quickly after New Yr’s Day.
LET THE DRAUGHT IN
With the shortest day approaching and falling temperatures, overwintering greenhouse crops are susceptible to fungal ailments. These can seem as mildews, rusts and leaves changing into soggy and moribund. Scale back these issues with air flow, on a sunny day, open your greenhouse vents for a brief spell. As little as 20 minutes of recent air may also help. However open up solely when climate permits.
READER’S QUESTION
I’m confused. What’s the distinction is between pine, spruce and fir bushes? Or are they synonyms?
Douglas Johnson, London
Pines belong to the genus Pinus of which there are 120 species. Our solely native is Scots pine Pinus sylvestris. Most pines have lengthy needles, organized in pairs.
Among the many 30 recognized spruce species, Picea abies, Norway Spruce is the most well-liked for Christmas bushes. The bushes have a pleasing aroma however carry sharp-tipped needles and drop copiously in a heat room.
Fir, Abies has 50 species together with A. nordmanniana which makes the very best indoor Christmas tree as needles should not prickly and by no means drop.
