North Devon Direct Summer 2009
Gardening tips
Alan Beer, Parks and Amenities Manager, explains how to maintain specific areas of the garden during the summer months.
June
- Prune shrubs that have finished flowering, by cutting back flowered shoots to a healthy bud
- Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of bulbs after flowering, letting the foliage die back naturally
- Evergreen hedges and topiary of Yew, Privet, Box and Leyland Cypress can be clipped and given a light feed of all-purpose plant food
- Mowing should now be done with the blades set low, unless the weather is very dry, when a medium setting will be better for the grass
July
- Cut the stems of early flowering perennials, like Lupins and Delphiniums, and apply a liquid feed, to encourage a second, smaller, flush of flowers
- Water containers every day in hot weather. Hanging baskets can be watered twice a day if you’ve got the time and energy
- Deadhead bedding plants and “repeat-flowering” perennials, to ensure continuous flowering
- Trim your privet hedge on a regular basis, as trimming it will create a good dense growth
August
- Trim lavender bushes once the flowers are past their best. However, you may prefer to leave the seed heads, as Goldcrest adore the seeds and may visit in early autumn
- Hardy Geraniums can be cut back a little to remove tired leaves and encourage new growth
- Take cuttings of tender perennials, such as Verbenas, Argyranthemums, Fuchsias, Salvias and Pelargoniums
- Before you go on holiday, arrange for someone to water your containers - move them out of the sun
One month to the Digital Switchover!
Did you know that North Devon starts switching to digital television next month?
Digital UK is warning viewers they may need to retune their equipment – or risk losing access to dozens of new channels.
Switchover will happen in two stages at the Huntshaw Cross transmitter serving North Devon – the first starts shortly after midnight on Wednesday 1 July when analogue BBC Two will be switched off. The BBC’s full range of digital channels will become available.
Stage two will take place four weeks later on Wednesday 29 July.
The remaining analogue channels (BBC One, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five) will be switched off and replaced in digital form along with more public-service TV, radio and text services.
The website www.digitaluk.co.uk has plenty of information. You can also contact Digital UK for more help and advice on 08456 50 50 50.
Thousands of older and disabled viewers in North Devon are eligible for assistance from the Switchover Help Scheme.
For more information about the Help Scheme, visit www.helpscheme.co.uk or call the freephone number 0800 40 85 900
Seth’s
Sound Bite
I tell you what, let’s try to forget all the depression surrounding the ‘depression’ and look forward to a great summer in which we can enjoy all that’s fantastic about where we live.
If, like me, you’re looking to take the family out on day trips or to events in the area, then the North Devon Festival is definitely worth a look. No matter where you live in North Devon, there’ll be something happening near you.
For the past two years I’ve starred in the festival. Was it on stage? No. Was it with my outstanding art work? No, as I can’t draw! Was it in fancy dress messing around on a field with 21 other people? Yes, you got it! Even a celebrity cricket match made it onto the festival’s billings!
Talking of sport, young competitors take part in the area’s own Olympics, the Devon Games to Inspire on Sunday 5 July. I’ll be there to get the youngsters underway, and what better way to end the day than with two fantastic performers from last year’s X-Factor on ITV1, as Ruth and Diana take to the stage.
I hope you’re ready for the switch to digital TV. It really is straight forward and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to be able to continue watching television.
But remember... even with up to 40 channels available, make sure it’s ITV1 at 6pm each weeknight for the West Country Tonight. Well, I would
say that wouldn’t I?
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How to contact us
Editorial queries should be directed to:
Claire Holm
North Devon Council
Civic Centre
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EA
Phone: 01271 388239
Email: claire.holm@northdevon.gov.uk
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