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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners growing one fruit urged to pick them on specific date
Gardening World presenter Monty Don recommends picking this one delicious berry at a particular time of year, otherwise you risk missing out on tasting it at its best There are few things more delicious or satisfying than tasting your own homegrown fruit – so don't delay picking this one popular berry at its peak. With the sun shining and the temperatures warming up, Brits are spending more time in their gardens. One popular activity is undoubtedly growing your own fruit. Not only is a great, wholesome activity that keeps you outdoors, it also comes with numerous other benefits. Growing your own fresh produce means you don't have to spray them with any of the nasty pesticides that are commonly found on store-bought fruits. This makes them healthier and also more ethical, as you aren't harming any wildlife. Equally, with supermarket prices having risen, it can also save you a lot of money too, as you have your own delicious ingredients growing right in your garden. Some popular fruits to grow in the UK include strawberries and raspberries, which are both incredibly versatile and which can be incorporated into many favourite desserts. However, gardening expert Monty Don admits he has a special penchant for raspberries. He writes in his blog: 'I would trade the very best strawberry for any raspberries and the summer fruiting varieties are at their best in July.' He explains that raspberries that ripen in summer carry their fruit on the canes that grew the previous year. This means that all the fresh growth made in the current year will crop next July. Meanwhile, other kinds of raspberries fruit in autumn instead, such as 'Autumn Bliss'. Instead, they produce their fruit on the new season's growth. Monty continues: 'There is a freshness and seasonal treat to the summer raspberries that makes them especially good and we often pick a bowl just before supper and eat with a little cream whilst they are still warm from the evening sun. Heaven!' If you're looking to spend extra time in your garden this month, Monty says there are other key tasks that are best completed in July. One of these includes cutting back hedges. While you may be tempted to trim hedges that have started to look unruly, it's best to wait until the end of July. This way, you will be less likely to disturb any nesting birds. This is because many birds in the UK like to build their nests in hedges. They offer them ample shelter and camouflage - which unfortunately also makes them difficult for gardeners to spot.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Monty Don issues July bird update and urges gardeners to do one thing
Bird enthusiasts should be careful when it comes to gardening this summer, as Monty Don suggests that there's one common task you should only complete in a specific part of July While you may be tempted to give your hedges a trim this summer, it's crucial to do it at the right time – otherwise you risk harming birds. With the increased influx of sunlight, many gardeners notice their grass and bushes growing faster and fuller. This can quickly make gardens look unruly if they aren't trimmed properly. However, you need to be careful about when you trim your hedges as it can impact local wildlife – in particular, birds. Many birds like to build their nests in hedges, as they offer ample protection, shelter and materials. Plus, they also serve as a great natural camouflage for vulnerable chicks. Trimming a hedge too early in the year can spell disaster for these young nesting birds, as many won't have flown the nest yet. Disrupting a nest can interfere with a birds breeding cycle and even lead to them abandoning their young. Plus, it's worth remembering that it is a legal offence to harm nesting birds, or their eggs, under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This means once you discover a nest you aren't allowed to harm it. However, this doesn't mean you can't trim your unruly hedges. Instead, you simply need to wait until the nesting season has ended. Monty Don is a gardening expert and the presenter of BBC Two's Gardening World. He suggests waiting until the end of July to trim your hedges. Monty wrote in his blog from 2022: 'Young birds will have left their nests by the end of the month so hedges can be safely cut. A trim now will allow any subsequent regrowth to harden off before possible autumnal frosts.' He instructs gardeners to begin by cutting the sides. Though, he adds that you should be careful 'to make the base of the hedge wider than the top – regardless of the height.' The reason is because shaping your hedge in a slightly triangular way allows light to reach the bottom half. In turn, this guarantees lush, healthy foliage all the way to the ground. Once you've done that, you should trim the top. If you're worried about getting it level, Monty recommends using string as a guide to keep it straight. Of course, not everyone wants a flat-topped hedge. If you are trimming an informal (or less structured) hedge, then you should curve the top over so it has a rounded shape.
