Top Talk
I caught up with ‘Belonging’ actor Steffan Rhodri as he came back from horse-riding. I’ll be ‘living’ in the saddle soon,” he explains, “so I’m preparing.” Also known for his role as Dave the bus driver in Gavin and Stacey, Steffan is taking part in the ‘Amswer Justin Time Horse Ride Challenge’ that is raising money and awareness of pancreatic cancer; a disease that claimed the life of talented TV director, editor and performer Justin Smith.
Leaving Tallacre Beach, near Prestatyn in North Wales at 11 o clock on August the 25th Steff, together with Shan Cothi, Brychan Jones, Brychan’s wife Sian, Justin’s sister Branwen and friend Chris Lewis will be riding the (roughly estimated) 287 miles down through Wales arriving in Ogmore on the 14th September. “I’m the least experienced rider,” confesses Steff, “but I have discovered I’m very good at mapping the routes and finding little bridle paths and Rights of Way. And we’ve also organised some amazing events and concerts at various towns along the way.”
The Twin Town actor, continues, “ I think the most magical thing is going to be seeing Wales as a spectacle. I feel I know Wales well as an Actor but really it’s only the towns, and roads between them, that I ever see. I’m looking forward to riding over mountains, through valleys and rivers.”
Does his appreciation of the countryside mean he’s also a keen gardener? “I’m the World’s Worst Gardener”, he claims adamantly. “I had an allotment once and after spending a day trying to clear it I gave up. I hated it. Dad was a good gardener and my sister has followed in his green footsteps but in some weird sort of transaction I am more like my Mum and would rather do the cooking. In fact,” he admits, “in every relationship I have had I’ve made it clear that I will do the cooking to avoid gardening – it’s always been a kind of trade off.”
For more details, the itinerary, event information and to make a donation to the Welsh based Charity, pop into www.amserjustintime.org or call Harlequin Agency 07966704548
Seasonal Spuds
Enjoying the taste of new potatoes straight from the garden at this time of year reminds me to prepare a later harvest for Christmas dinner. There is still just time to plant Carlingford tubers, known as Christmas New Potatoes, in large pots or tubs, so they can be moved into a shed or greenhouse to protect from frost. Available from www.thompson-morgan.com or call 01473 688821. Dearer than other seed potatoes, they are worth every penny.
Back to Our Roots
Alternatively, have the’ new potato taste’ at Christmas by storing August’s potatoes. Lift new potatoes now and place uncooked, unwashed and unblemished potatoes in a biscuit tin. Cover with slightly damp silver sand (not builder’s sand: silver sand is low in iron oxides and salt and is used in children’s sand pits) which can be bought from most garden centres and DIY Stores. Then bury the tin about three feet deep and dig up on Christmas Eve. This old-fashioned method of storing veg is known as the ‘clamp’ method and works well with any root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips and beetroot.
Boot-iful
I think there is a niche for a ‘summer wellington boot’. And coming close to that, for kids anyway, is a fantastic range of waterproof footwear from www.garden-gear.co.uk They stock little frog, bumble bee and ladybird shoes and ankle boots that would make Gok Wan weep. Also available are ‘paint your own’ wellies – ironically, a great idea for keeping kids amused on rainy days. Call 077767 497443 for more details.
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Contact: lynneallbutt@googlemail.com
Plant spring flowering bulbs (tulips are best left until October) this month. If containerising, plant in layers for maximum flower displays. If naturalising daffodils in grass, remember you won’t be able to cut the grass until the leaves have died back, which can look untidy. To avoid a regimental look, scatter the bulbs on the surface and plant where they land. Dwarf varieties are fantastic in window boxes and containers and even hanging baskets, especially if planted with decorative ivies. Bulbs for forcing indoors can be prepared now to bloom over Christmas. They also make great presents for children to give to favourite Aunties!
It is important to give fish high protein food during September and October as they don’t feed through the winter, relying totally on the reserves they build up now. Stop feeding fish in November when the temperature falls.
Give lawns a little tender loving care, reseeding or turfing worn patches and spiking waterlogged areas. Using a purpose made lawn edging will stop soil edges crumbling into beds or onto drives.
Stock up on beer, develop bad back to avoid gardening chores during the Rugby.
If small pots or hanging baskets have dried out, submerge the whole container in a large tub or dustbin full of water. Bubbles will be released as the compost reabsorbs the water, keep submerged until the bubbles stop.
Keep picking sweet peas, even if it means giving them away – people love receiving them, as once they form seed pods the flowering period will grind to a halt.
Dry herbs and store before they can reabsorb moisture. Store in airtight jars and in the dark.
If you are going away on holiday, arrange for someone to take care of watering your containers and picking vegetables (and sweet peas). If you’re lucky the latter will be payment enough for the former!
Invest in some outdoor entertainment; garden games are more readily available now, from large Chess sets to outdoor Twister. If you have the room, a zip slide is great fun although outdoor trampolines have proven to be a deterrent to next-door house purchasers!
Usually a very busy month in the garden as everything is in a rush to reach its potential! Don’t worry if things are moving faster than you are, you’ll catch up. Keep the grass cut and keep tying in climbers and ramblers to keep the garden looking tidy. If you can remove faded flower heads from beds and borders, you will encourage new growth and more flowers which will take the focus away from the things you haven’t got around to!
Yellowing foliage can be removed from daffodils if it comes away easily. Don’t ‘rip’ it off as the bulbs need the nutrients from the leaves for next year’s displays.
Moles are often a problem this month as they search for worms, there are numerous ‘suggested’ methods of deterring them but the only one I have seen work is putting ferret or badger droppings down the mole run. Both are the natural predators of the mole and their scent will send him scurrying to safety.
In sultry weather, add fresh water to pools and ponds with a hosepipe and spray attachment. This will oxygenate the water and lower the temperature which is particularly important in shallow pools.
Stake herbaceous stock in the borders as necessary. It is far better to let the plants grow through the supports rather than try to revive flattened flowers later! Growing plants close together will avoid the need for staking and provide a riot of colour.
Sow runner beans in well prepared site and alternate with sweet pea plants for great colour later on. Sow lettuce and salad leaves and remember these will even do well in window boxes or tubs on the patio.
If you are new to growing vegetables, start slowly and build up your confidence and although it sounds obvious, grow the things you like!
Summer bedding can be planted out at the very end of the month when all threats of frost have passed. Try hanging baskets with a difference by planting with tumbling tomatoes, dwarf vegetables and/or herbs for great conversation pieces.
Lynne Allbutt design
Lynne Allbutt design
Lynne Allbutt design
Marie Curie
Lynne Allbutt design
Duncan Goodhew Olympic Silver medalist
Lynne with GMTV soap Queen Tina Baker and Eastenders bar maid Tracey Slaughter
Copyright lynne allbutt 2007
CALENDAR 2008
Lynne Allbutt is a professional garden designer and writer and this site provides further thoughts from her on the environment and green issues which she shares passionately in her writing and media work.Lynne believes in self motivation and inspiring others.
Contact: lynneallbutt@googlemail.com
GREEN GODDESS
Lynne features regularly in the UK media and has a regular column with Media Wales in the National Newspaper of Wales , the Western Mail . She has featured and continues to feature on TV and other multi media networks. Her vibrancy and concern are infectious and she enjoys challenging everyone to think carefully about the world they live in.
An expert gardner.Lynne's garden design is both creative and visionary.
Lynne enjoys discussing the environment with those who care passionately about what they do.
Lynne features regularly in the UK media and has a regular column with Media Wales in the National Newspaper of Wales , the Western Mail . She has featured and continues to feature on TV and other multi media networks. Her vibrancy and concern are infectious and she enjoys challenging everyone to think carefully about the world they live in.
An expert gardner.Lynne's garden design is both creative and visionary.
Lynne enjoys discussing the environment with those who care passionately about what they do.
September Notes
Plant spring flowering bulbs (tulips are best left until October) this month. If containerising, plant in layers for maximum flower displays. If naturalising daffodils in grass, remember you won’t be able to cut the grass until the leaves have died back, which can look untidy. To avoid a regimental look, scatter the bulbs on the surface and plant where they land. Dwarf varieties are fantastic in window boxes and containers and even hanging baskets, especially if planted with decorative ivies. Bulbs for forcing indoors can be prepared now to bloom over Christmas. They also make great presents for children to give to favourite Aunties!
It is important to give fish high protein food during September and October as they don’t feed through the winter, relying totally on the reserves they build up now. Stop feeding fish in November when the temperature falls.
Give lawns a little tender loving care, reseeding or turfing worn patches and spiking waterlogged areas. Using a purpose made lawn edging will stop soil edges crumbling into beds or onto drives.
Stock up on beer, develop bad back to avoid gardening chores during the Rugby.
Green Goddess juice
QUOTES FOR 2008
Life without love is like a tree without blossom and fruit. Khalil Gibran
To halve your gardening chores, marry a good gardener. Oscar Wilde
Of course you can borrow my mower, as long as it doesn’t leave my garden. Ernie Wise
People are like wheelbarrows, useful when pushed but easily upset. Anon
Don’t knock manual labour; digging holes is one of the few jobs where you start at the top.
George Arthur
I was flattered to have a rose named after me until I read the catalogue description, “Good in a bed but better against a wall”. Eleanor Roosevelt
Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees and then names the street after them.
Bill Vaughan
Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence. Hal Borland
The best way to get enjoyment out of the garden is to put on a wide-brimmed straw hat, hold a little trowel in one hand, a long cool drink in the other and tell the man where to dig. Charles Barr
The physician can bury his mistakes but a landscape designer can only advise his Client to plant vines. Anon
The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
Nelson Henderson
To halve your gardening chores, marry a good gardener. Oscar Wilde
Of course you can borrow my mower, as long as it doesn’t leave my garden. Ernie Wise
People are like wheelbarrows, useful when pushed but easily upset. Anon
Don’t knock manual labour; digging holes is one of the few jobs where you start at the top.
George Arthur
I was flattered to have a rose named after me until I read the catalogue description, “Good in a bed but better against a wall”. Eleanor Roosevelt
Suburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees and then names the street after them.
Bill Vaughan
Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence. Hal Borland
The best way to get enjoyment out of the garden is to put on a wide-brimmed straw hat, hold a little trowel in one hand, a long cool drink in the other and tell the man where to dig. Charles Barr
The physician can bury his mistakes but a landscape designer can only advise his Client to plant vines. Anon
The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
Nelson Henderson
AUGUST NOTES
If small pots or hanging baskets have dried out, submerge the whole container in a large tub or dustbin full of water. Bubbles will be released as the compost reabsorbs the water, keep submerged until the bubbles stop.
Keep picking sweet peas, even if it means giving them away – people love receiving them, as once they form seed pods the flowering period will grind to a halt.
Dry herbs and store before they can reabsorb moisture. Store in airtight jars and in the dark.
If you are going away on holiday, arrange for someone to take care of watering your containers and picking vegetables (and sweet peas). If you’re lucky the latter will be payment enough for the former!
Invest in some outdoor entertainment; garden games are more readily available now, from large Chess sets to outdoor Twister. If you have the room, a zip slide is great fun although outdoor trampolines have proven to be a deterrent to next-door house purchasers!
July Tips from Lynne
July:
A good month to actually enjoy your garden, take time to just sit and relax a bit! Also cut some flowers for the house, a garden should be productive and having a vase full of your own grown flowers indoors will encourage you to grow more. And did you know adding a Viagra tablet to the water will revitalise drooping blooms – honestly!
If you are barbequing, add a few sprigs of rosemary to the coals for added flavour and aroma and don’t forget to use your mint in the Pimms!
Try to visit a few other gardens at this time of year, it’s a great way to renew inspiration and get new ideas for your own plot. Add an outdoor mirror, paint the fence or shed to match the house, plant low growing herbs in the lawn (or around the washing line) so your footsteps or mower activate the beautiful scents, or simply hang a swing from an established tree. Continue to deadhead spent blooms in the borders and containers and cut back herbaceous plants that have finished flowering completely. They will often reward you with a second flush of blooms, the exception are paeonies as they need to die back naturally.
A good month to actually enjoy your garden, take time to just sit and relax a bit! Also cut some flowers for the house, a garden should be productive and having a vase full of your own grown flowers indoors will encourage you to grow more. And did you know adding a Viagra tablet to the water will revitalise drooping blooms – honestly!
If you are barbequing, add a few sprigs of rosemary to the coals for added flavour and aroma and don’t forget to use your mint in the Pimms!
Try to visit a few other gardens at this time of year, it’s a great way to renew inspiration and get new ideas for your own plot. Add an outdoor mirror, paint the fence or shed to match the house, plant low growing herbs in the lawn (or around the washing line) so your footsteps or mower activate the beautiful scents, or simply hang a swing from an established tree. Continue to deadhead spent blooms in the borders and containers and cut back herbaceous plants that have finished flowering completely. They will often reward you with a second flush of blooms, the exception are paeonies as they need to die back naturally.
June Tips for the Garden
Usually a very busy month in the garden as everything is in a rush to reach its potential! Don’t worry if things are moving faster than you are, you’ll catch up. Keep the grass cut and keep tying in climbers and ramblers to keep the garden looking tidy. If you can remove faded flower heads from beds and borders, you will encourage new growth and more flowers which will take the focus away from the things you haven’t got around to!
Yellowing foliage can be removed from daffodils if it comes away easily. Don’t ‘rip’ it off as the bulbs need the nutrients from the leaves for next year’s displays.
Moles are often a problem this month as they search for worms, there are numerous ‘suggested’ methods of deterring them but the only one I have seen work is putting ferret or badger droppings down the mole run. Both are the natural predators of the mole and their scent will send him scurrying to safety.
In sultry weather, add fresh water to pools and ponds with a hosepipe and spray attachment. This will oxygenate the water and lower the temperature which is particularly important in shallow pools.
May Tips For Your Garden
Stake herbaceous stock in the borders as necessary. It is far better to let the plants grow through the supports rather than try to revive flattened flowers later! Growing plants close together will avoid the need for staking and provide a riot of colour.
Sow runner beans in well prepared site and alternate with sweet pea plants for great colour later on. Sow lettuce and salad leaves and remember these will even do well in window boxes or tubs on the patio.
If you are new to growing vegetables, start slowly and build up your confidence and although it sounds obvious, grow the things you like!
Summer bedding can be planted out at the very end of the month when all threats of frost have passed. Try hanging baskets with a difference by planting with tumbling tomatoes, dwarf vegetables and/or herbs for great conversation pieces.
APRIL TIPS FOR YOUR GARDEN
Sow seeds of hardy annuals in beds and borders directly where they are to grow. It’s a quick and easy way of filling gaps and also a terrific way of temporarily camouflaging an area of waste ground or bare soil until you are ready to develop it. Nasturtiums make great ground cover, Marigolds help stifle ground elder, Cosmos makes a great gap filler, and don’t forget to encourage young green fingers to sow sunflowers.
Sort out watering facilities for later in the year, use water butts and invest in a system that allows you to connect a hose pipe to them. Also keep a watering can next to each water butt to avoid later frustrations.
Lightly prune shrubs that have finished flowering, don’t be afraid of pruning; gather some advice and your courage and have a go!
Sow wrinkled-seeded varieties of peas, choosing a dwarf type if growing in pots or containers. Main crop carrots can also be sown this month. Remember that vegetables can be grown in beds and borders, carrot tops look decorative and runner beans can be grown up wigwams like sweetpeas.
Consider introducing lawn edging to prevent soil from crumbling into beds and spilling onto paths and drives.
Sort out watering facilities for later in the year, use water butts and invest in a system that allows you to connect a hose pipe to them. Also keep a watering can next to each water butt to avoid later frustrations.
Lightly prune shrubs that have finished flowering, don’t be afraid of pruning; gather some advice and your courage and have a go!
Sow wrinkled-seeded varieties of peas, choosing a dwarf type if growing in pots or containers. Main crop carrots can also be sown this month. Remember that vegetables can be grown in beds and borders, carrot tops look decorative and runner beans can be grown up wigwams like sweetpeas.
Consider introducing lawn edging to prevent soil from crumbling into beds and spilling onto paths and drives.
The Design and Vision
Lynne Allbutt design
"Don't try to change other people, it doesn't work. You must be the change you must wish to see in others"
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
The Design and Vision
Lynne Allbutt design
Why a Calendar ?
Marie Curie Cancer Care celebrates its 60th Anniversary in 2008 and I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to these celebrations by compiling a calendar.
Diamonds and Daffodils is a gardening calendar with ‘tongue-in-cheek’ photos of yours truly. I have included monthly gardening tips, Saint Day’s and weather folk-lore, flower-scopes and humorous quotes. Dates for the WRU games, Marie Curie events and Royal Horticultural Shows have also been incorporated, so hopefully there will there be something for everyone.
The photos were shot by award-winning Cardiff based photographer, Gareth Phillips and each page has been generously sponsored by a Welsh business.
Max Boyce has been kind enough to write a forward which of course adds even more humour.
However, the more serious side of Diamonds and Daffodils, is of course to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care to continue the wonderful work they do by providing care for patients and their families.
My father lost his fight with melanoma 12 years ago, and unfortunately we all know of a family who have been affected by cancer and its consequences.
Every four calendars sold will provide another hour of patient care; twenty four calendars will enable a patient to spend a day at the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth and two hundred calendars will provide care for a patient and their family for a whole week.
Diamonds and Daffodils is a gardening calendar with ‘tongue-in-cheek’ photos of yours truly. I have included monthly gardening tips, Saint Day’s and weather folk-lore, flower-scopes and humorous quotes. Dates for the WRU games, Marie Curie events and Royal Horticultural Shows have also been incorporated, so hopefully there will there be something for everyone.
The photos were shot by award-winning Cardiff based photographer, Gareth Phillips and each page has been generously sponsored by a Welsh business.
Max Boyce has been kind enough to write a forward which of course adds even more humour.
However, the more serious side of Diamonds and Daffodils, is of course to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care to continue the wonderful work they do by providing care for patients and their families.
My father lost his fight with melanoma 12 years ago, and unfortunately we all know of a family who have been affected by cancer and its consequences.
Every four calendars sold will provide another hour of patient care; twenty four calendars will enable a patient to spend a day at the Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth and two hundred calendars will provide care for a patient and their family for a whole week.
The Design and Vision
Lynne Allbutt design
IC Wales Lynne Allbutt
MARIE CURIE CALENDAR 2008
Lynne on TV
Lynne Wing Walking
Marie Curie
The Design and Vision
Lynne Allbutt design
Lynne Allbutt Garden Design and Advice
Lynne at Swimathon 2007
Duncan Goodhew Olympic Silver medalist
GREEN GODDESS
Lynne has a regular column with Media Wales in the National Newspaper of Wales , the Western Mail , and has featured and continues to feature on TV and other multi media networks. Her vibrancy and concern are infectious and she enjoys challenging everyone to think carefully about the world they live in.
Blog Archive
Contributors
Running for Marie Curie
Lynne with GMTV soap Queen Tina Baker and Eastenders bar maid Tracey Slaughter
Extract from Green Goddess Western Mail
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/feature-news/fashion-lifestyle/2007/12/29/green-goddess-lynne-allbutt-91466-20295999/
Green Goddess: Lynne Allbutt
Dec 29 2007 by Lynne Allbutt, Western Mail
Top Talk
ST John’s City Centre Church in Cardiff is the city’s second oldest building still in public use (the first is the castle). It’s tranquil and impartial to time, a sharp contrast to the mass of people who scurry around its feet.
Keith Kimber, St John’s pedal-powered vicar and city centre missioner, can often be spotted riding his bicycle into the city.
He admits to being more interested in environmental issues than the garden and credits his wife with developing their inherited vicarage garden.
“My father was a very traditional gardener,” he told me.
Green Goddess: Lynne Allbutt
Dec 29 2007 by Lynne Allbutt, Western Mail
Top Talk
ST John’s City Centre Church in Cardiff is the city’s second oldest building still in public use (the first is the castle). It’s tranquil and impartial to time, a sharp contrast to the mass of people who scurry around its feet.
Keith Kimber, St John’s pedal-powered vicar and city centre missioner, can often be spotted riding his bicycle into the city.
He admits to being more interested in environmental issues than the garden and credits his wife with developing their inherited vicarage garden.
“My father was a very traditional gardener,” he told me.
Lynne Allbutt design
Copyright lynne allbutt 2007
www.lynneallbutt.co.uk
2008 DIAMONDS AND DAFFODILS
CALENDAR 2008