Gardeners’ queries

Press, 30 August 1985, Page 14

Gardeners’ queries

In the past I have had trouble with cats damaging my kiwi fruit plants. I would be grateful if you could suggest a way of dealing with the problem. W. J. (Sumner). These plants have a strange attraction for cats, but while they seem to be irresistiblydriven towards them in some areas where they really tear the bark to shreds, elsewhere plants remain unmolested. Encircling the trunk with bird netting seems to give good protection. There are also one or two proprietary repellants available. Again, some readers may have adapted other methods?

I have saved a quantity of wood ash from my log burner. Could you help me by advising on its best application for vegetables and flowers, including whether it should be sprinkled a long rows of seedlings as they come up? R. H. (Christchurch).

Wood ashes tend to vary a bit in their mineral content, but are generally a very good source of potash, to a lesser degree lime, and also various other elements. It can beneficially be applied to vegetable garden soils, although inclirijd to cake when large quantities

are added, particularly to heavy mediums and especially where the ground tends to be wet. Sprinkled on the soil between rows of seedlings ashes can also act as a deterrent to slugs and snails. Enclosed plant is rapidly invading a part of our lawn. It runs along the soil and is very noticeable as it is quite yellow compared to the rest of the lawn. Could you please advise us how to get rid of it? “Puzzled” (Westport). Undesirable grass weeds sometimes become invasive in fine lawns, but unfortunately there is no selective means of control available for them. It is either a case of methodically digging up the unwanted species, or renovating the entire area following an over-all application of glyphosphate. Gardeners’ Queries should be sent directly to Mr M. Lusty, 56 Wayside Avenue, Christchurch 5. Samples should be separately wrapped in a plastic bag with air boles. Provide representative, goodsized samples, and your name and address. A nom-de-plume can be used for publication.