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In the garden

In the Garden with Jane

Summer greetings to all tenants and gardeners!

Unfortunately, I think the summer sunshine has gone north instead of the Gulf stream, which has decided to slide south resulting in a wet and cooler summer. I am optimistic that the late summer will improve, however we continue to battle with the usual problems. Weeds, slugs and snails are guaranteed to appear with alarming regularity every summer.

trimming hedge with shears

Fencing versus Hedging

There is a huge discussion going on to which is better, so I decided to research the pros and cons for both. For the environment and protecting wildlife, hedging your garden wins every time. However, in a small garden, timber fencing is better as hedging will take up more space.

Timber Fencing

Advantages:

  • Installation is quick and easy
  • Timber requires little maintenance
  • Acts as support for plants
  • Privacy and security from unwanted guests (human and animal)
  • Can be painted
  • Safe and secure

Disadvantages:

  • Expensive
  • Processing is not environmentally friendly
  • Can reflect noise back towards the house
  • Non-aesthetically pleasing

Natural Hedging

Advantages:

  • Less expensive to install
  • Conserves water by storage in root system and stabilises soil
  • Effective wind blocker
  • Food and shelter for wildlife
  • More aesthetically pleasing

Disadvantages

  • Neighbours must agree
  • Takes a few years to properly grow
  • Needs regular maintenance
  • Children will need to be supervised when in the garden

A compromise could be to replace broken panels with hedging over a period of years. Natural growth takes time to establish, but combining the two could give you the best of both worlds.

Sustainability

Climate change is becoming an important factor in everything we do. Disappearing flora and fauna is causing concern, particularly for wildlife.

Friends of the Earth has reported that 41% of all British species has declined and the UK is one of the world’s most nature depleted countries. We must try and preserve what we have left.

This can be small things:

  • Leaving a patch of wild grass to grow nettles or wildflowers (or weeds!).
  • Window boxes planted with herbs and flowers provide highways for bees and insects in busy cities.
illustration of flowers in a basket
  • Community gardens are providing small areas for growers, along with help and advice to get the best out of your growing patch.

Keep the wellies handy and happy gardening. Treat anything you have grown with respect and make some delicious jam or chutney.

If you have any gardening questions, please get in touch.

Bye for now,

Jane

illustration of Jane

Gardening Competition 2024

We’re pleased to announce the results below…

Judges Choice Overall Winners in their garden

Judges Choice Overall

Winner:

Mark from Dereham

best garden winner in her garden

Best Garden

Winner:

Claire from Mundesley

Runner up:

Pamela from Fakenham

Commendations:

Luisa from Lakenheath

Best small garden winner in her garden

Best Small Garden

Winner:

Svitlana from King’s Lynn

Runner up:

Claire & Judy from Dereham

Commendations:

Janet from King’s Lynn

Best communal garden

Best Communal Garden

Winner:

Robert Kett Court

Best hanging basket

Best Hanging Baskets

Winner:

Sandra from King’s Lynn

The Results!

Thank you to everyone who entered this year's competition. The judging took place over 2 days with our Environmental Champions, Jane, our tenant Gardening guru, and John, our Horticultural Projects Officer on the judging panel.

It was a busy couple of days visiting tenants’ gardens across the county. There was an array of garden sizes and styles, showing creative use of space and materials. There was a clear theme around biodiversity and wanting to increase wildlife in their gardens. Some tenants had built bug hotels whilst others had planted shrubs and flowers to attract butterflies and bees.

Read more and see more photos

Fancy entering next time?

We hold our Gardening Competition annually. Be sure to enter your garden in April 2025!

Jane commented:

"All of the gardens demonstrated protection and love towards preserving our wildlife. There was a lot of recycling and environmental issues that were being addressed. Although Mother Nature has played havoc with our gardens this year, all entries were of the highest standard, so a big well done to all of you that entered!”

illustration of Jane

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