Cheshire Independent Issue 181

21 NOVEMBER 2023 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk Independent HOMES & GARDEN ALTHOUGH most jobs in the garden are win- ter maintenance at the moment November is a great month for planting trees and shrubs. You can plant them before the ground gets too hard or frozen whilst you can still position them in wet or dry soil. Trees and shrubs come in all shapes and sizes and can tolerate acidic, chalky, sandy and clay soils. From flowering cherries and crab apples to evergreen yews and weeping willows, trees offer different leaf size, shape and colour and can add structure to a garden or patio. They make excellent liv- ing hedges and screens whilst helping to reduce or improve your carbon foot- print and generally enhance the environment. You can also ‘grow your own’ tree or shrub by taking hardwood cuttings through- out the winter from your favourite varieties. So our tip this month is to propagate shrubs and trees by taking hardwood cuttings immediately after leaf fall. Cut through stems of this year’s growth and divide into lengths of 15-20cm, cutting the top at an angle and the bottom straight, so you don’t plant them upside down. Place the cuttings around the edge of a pot and bury at least half their depth in com- post. Label, water and then be patient as hardwood cuttings can take six months to root and shouldn’t be moved for a year, when they can be potted on and planted in situ. If you have a small gar- den or outside space you can also grow trees in pots if you choose wisely. Trees planted in containers need regular maintenance and more watering. It’s best to select varieties that grow slowly to reach a maximum height of around 3m. Fruit trees can work well, as can large shrubs grown as trees. Terracotta containers give the best stability and insu- lation but you can use other materials although avoid metal as they can heat up and damage plant roots if located in a sunny position. Avoid narrow top con- tainers as they make it dif- ficult to get root balls out of the pot intact when you have to re-pot. You should check watering needs daily from April to October, and water evergreens throughout the year. Re-pot every other year until it’s no longer practical. Some of the best trees for containers include Japanese maple Acer japonicum ‘Aco- nitifolium’; Amelanchier ‘Obe- lisk’; and crab apple Malus ‘Laura’. If you are thinking about the summer months ahead then a plant that grows well in containers, and in the ground, and can be sown now for earlier flowers next year is the sweet pea. Sweet peas produce deep roots so are best started off in root-trainer modules or you can use toilet roll centres or paper cups with a hole punched in the bottom. Pack the pots together in a tray and fill the gaps between them with more compost which helps preserve moisture. Sow two seeds per pot or module and place in a covered area where the temperature is 15-18C. Once seeds have germinated and shoots have appeared move them to a cool, bright place. When seedlings have produced four or five leaves, pinch off the top two to encourage extra shoots. Plant out in late spring. To advertise contact Robin on 07767 840274 www.mollymaid.co.uk Trust the domestic cleaning experts at MOLLY MAID Call for your free in-home estimate now 01565 889900 • Our uniformed staff are thoroughly trained, fully insured and their work is guaranteed • Free in-home estimate • No contracts • Totally secure • All materials supplied • Regular or special cleans • More affordable than you may think That’s what tens of thousands of people around the world do... Time for trees and shrubs • Plant out hardwood cuttings taken last year • Plant out rooted strawberry runners – they need a cold period to promote flowering and fruiting • Finish planting spring bedding plants such as wallflowers and forget-me-nots • Helpwinter bees by growingwinter-flowering plants such as heather and hellebores • Protect tender perennials against hard frosts with drymulch • Rake up fallen leaves and pile up to rot down into leafmould • Elevate your outdoor pots to keep the base out of water to stop soil saturation • Inspect plant supports – replace broken stakes and loosen ties on growing trees • Harvest winter veg such as leeks, kale, cabbage and cauliflower • Plant individual garlic cloves in containers or in the ground in a sunny spot JOBSTODOTHISMONTH RESEARCH has revealed that more than 90 per cent of us believe spend- ing time our garden boosts our men- tal health. Not only can it make you feel more peaceful and content, but it can also increase your self-esteem and improve your attention span – two things that help you combat feelings of depression and anxiety. Our green spaces are not only a place to grow plants and vegetables; they are also areas for people to relax, focus and connect with nature and each other. Here are just five ways getting in your garden can be of benefit: SAY GOODBYE TO STRESS Numerous studies have found that work- places with easily accessible garden space reduced employee stress consid- erably, and even staring at green space from a window can aid our mental health and reduce stress. DON’T STOP THE MOW! A study has suggested that getting out- side to do the mowing can also aid our mental health. Dr Nick Lavidis of the University of Queensland found that the scent of a freshly mown lawn – ‘Eau De Grass’ as he calls it – makes people hap- pier and less stressed. He even invented an aroma spray that mimics the scent of cut grass to help people relax. A HEALTHY HABIT If you are someone who cannot bear the thought of going to the gym, signing up for Zumba, or taking on a dreaded spin class, gardening could be a great alter- native. The NHS says: “Heavy gardening – including pushing, bending, squatting, carrying, digging and shovelling – can provide a good workout.” FOOD FOR THOUGHT Getting out in the garden can also have a positive effect on your diet! Growing your own veg is hugely gratifying, and the associated increase of greens in your diet is good for your body’s health, it is also actually proven to be good for the mind too. In fact, allotment garden- ing can be one of the best exercises to reduce the perception of stress. A GROWING SENSE OF COMMUNITY It is not just physiological factors that allow our gardens to improve our men- tal health; there are also the sociolog- ical effects. Engagement in gardening activities can help you to develop social relationships, family connections, emo- tional and mental well-being and reduce depression and anxiety. So, whether it is digging the vege- table patch with your partner or get- ting the kids to help weed the flower beds, gardening brings us together and improves the way we feel. FIVE WAYS THAT GARDENING CAN IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH