Mark and Chris win our Gallery prize of wine from Fetzer Vineyards for photos of their large-scale, tree-felling project (above). Delighted to see that health and safety is being observed with the protective gear!
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| Mark and Chris early in 2007
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Chris says: 'I think we shall need something to drink when we begin to tackle the garden. Due to us having work done on the house in 2007, it's got the better of us and is very overgrown, about an acre in all, front and back. We are not very experienced gardeners, although I was quite successful in growing some veg in 2006. We hope to just get a hold of it this year, before it really starts to grow, to give us a clearer view (literally) of what to do with it. Any ideas of how to go about this would be very much appreciated.'
On the Forum, well done to Ouch Harvey, a novice gardener who is keen to overhaul his new garden and install raised beds.
Elsewhere on the Forum Nic7oaks, who is also tackling a new garden, describes her solution to dealing with plants that devalue your house. Both win three Expert gardening books from the Dr Hessayon series.
Lastly, the new member prize for January, a beehive water butt from RecycleNow, has been won by John Mana from Canvey Island – a long-standing gardener of 20-plus years, who likes environmentally-friendly and wildlife gardening, as well as low-maintenance gardening.
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| John, his wife Justine and their grandchildren
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John says: 'Visitors comment that the garden is peaceful and relaxing. The serenity is achieved by accepting nature and not fighting the problems presented by the soil, which is primarily clay. Most of the plants and trees are self-seeded and the balance consists of kind donations from friends, family and neighbours. No pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilisers have been used for the past 25 years. We only water newly planted donations, thus in the summer months the lawn turns brown. Slugs are kept under control by the hedgehog population – and the caterpillars that escape the birds are dispatched between finger and thumb. The consequence of having a busy profession results in garden maintenance being carried out on Sundays. I find the physical activity very relaxing and it prepares me for the stresses encountered during my work.'
Well done to John and all our January prizewinners.
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