Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
21st September 2019
Mexican Magic
I had a lovely day as part of the Gardener’s Question Time panel in Cardiff last week. Joining Radio 2’s Terry Walton, rose expert Gareth Davies and garden centre owner Reg Moule on the panel, we had some great questions to answer (see pic).
And the best thing about those ‘do’s’ is that I learn a lot too.
Last week I learned (thanks to Reg) that there is actually a plant that will keep ground elder at bay. Honestly! As the Question Time was held on Friday the 13th and it was also the night of the full Harvest Moon, I did wonder if it was all a bit of hocus pocus as the plant does ‘read’ to be a bit ‘magical’.
Tagetes minuta is an extraordinary plant that isn’t much of a looker but is promoted for the roots ability to kill perennial weeds. Even Sarah Raven claims that it cleared a bed of ground elder and bindweed at her garden, Perch Hill.
I’m not sure if it will manage tame my jungle, but it is definitely worth trying.
The half-hardy annual is commonly known as the Mexican Marigold and will enjoy full sun, partial sun and shade. It will reach an impressive 6ft (or more) which will add impact and interest to the backs of borders too. Flowers are late and insignificant but that is a good thing, as the frosts tend to kill it before it goes to seed. As it flowers earlier in Mexico, and therefore self-seeds, it is considered to be a nuisance. I guess it’s all relative – maybe they haven’t experienced ground elder.
The best way to cultivate is to sow in March through to May under cover. Plant out after last frosts in perennial weed infested beds.
And if that’s not magical enough, it helps protect potatoes from eelworm, the dried leaves are used as an edible herb with an apple flavour, and it also has medicinal properties.
Nicky’s Nursery describes it as, ‘A tall culinary, medicinal herb and weed killer, companion plant, and effective insecticide. An essential oil is produced from the plant that is used in flavouring various food stuffs. The dried leaves of Mexican Marigold are used as a tea and also in cooking they give an apple like aroma to foods.’
But Simpson’s Seeds warn, ‘It grows enormous and can easily reach 8 ft. Flowers are late and insignificant. It can be difficult to germinate.’
Further research revealed that apparently the leaves can cause a rash in some people and of course I doubt that it can differentiate between invasive perennial weeds and your cherished herbaceous plants, so bear that in mind when introducing to beds and borders.
Lazy Leek
As I was ‘out out’ last Friday, I thought it a good opportunity to find somewhere in Cardiff to eat ‘plant-based’ food.
I like eating outdoors and as informally as possible and The Lazy Leek delivered! Well, they didn’t actually deliver – I went to them in Pontcanna, but their menu, food and service are definitely worth recommending.
They even did a half portion (with a little persuasion) of their ‘dirty fries’ for me, although a full portion would be perfect to share. Maybe next time. Thanks guys.
More details at www.lazyleek.co.uk
Playful Pencil
It’s usually my memory that’s ‘sketchy’ these days but on Saturday I got ‘sketchy’ with the Playful Pencil course at Chapel Cottage Studios, near Abergavenny.
Obviously my subject was one dear to my heart. I hope she is recognisable – it’s a good test of myself and the lovely tutor and illustrator, Usk-based Sue Morgan. The sketches in the photo are my very first attempts at capturing ‘you-know-who’ after a bit of expert advice from Sue. I am going to have to keep practising but look out for the Christmas cards, children’s book, mugs and posters …
Chapel Cottage Studios hold a wide variety of courses throughout the year, for more details here.
Officially Autumn
Although I mentioned last week that it was ‘s-autumn’ – with the early mornings feeling autumnal and the days still feeling summery – the astrological autumn officially starts on Monday (23rd) at the autumnal equinox (the meteorological autumn started on the 1st September).
The word “equinox” comes from Latin aequus, meaning “equal,” and nox, “night.” On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in terms of length and of course from then on, the nights will be longer than the days, until the winter solstice. And that is the 22nd December this year. Not long until I’m lighting the fire then!
Ask a Stupid Question Day
Yes, apparently it really is a celebrated day, the roots of which go back to the 1980’s.
There was a movement by teachers to try to get kids to ask more questions in the classroom as they thought kids often hold back, fearing their question is stupid. It’s not just kids – after every Q&A session I do at a talk, once the questions have been exhausted there are always people who will come up afterwards to ask me something in private, as they think their question is stupid. Ironically, I will always have heard the question before, and I remind them, “Far better to ask a stupid question than to make a stupid mistake”.
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