P573 CEEFAX 2 573 Fri 21 Jan 22:02/42 1/4 Stefan Buczacki writes: Ornamental Garden Hint: There's a job to do before the bulk of the season's seed sowing begins. All used seed trays and covers should be washed free of old compost, scrubbed in warm soapy water, dipped in garden disinfectant and then rinsed thoroughly in clean water. This will ensure that no persisting pests and diseases are able to attack your new seedlings. Don't re-use left- over seedling compost because the nutrient content will be unpredictable. Start with fresh, new bags Free time 570 House plant hint >>> Switched On 540 Cookery 580 TV 600 Comp Cookbook Showbiz NWestTVP573 CEEFAX 2 573 Fri 21 Jan 22:11/16 2/4 Stefan Buczacki writes: House Plant Hint: I'm often asked if house- houseplants should be watered from the top or the bottom. The answer in most cases is from the top. But some plants will suffer if cold water is allowed to lie on the foliage or on tubers. African violets and cyclamen are the most important among them. Their pots should be stood in a bowl of water overnight. Lift them out in the morning and allow the excess to drain away. Free time 570 House plant hint >>> Switched On 540 Cookery 580 TV 600 Comp Cookbook Showbiz NWestTVP573 CEEFAX 2 573 Fri 21 Jan 22:03/01 3/4 Stefan Buczacki writes: Kitchen Garden Hint: New stocks of seed potato tubers are in garden centres now. Early varieties should be bought as soon as possible and then set out for "chitting" or sprouting. Lay out the tubers with the "eye" or sprout end uppermost somewhere light and warm — on slatted trays on the greenhouse bunch is ideal. This sprouting is essential in order to give the plants the head start thry will need to produce an early crop. Free time 570 House plant hint >>> Switched On 540 Cookery 580 TV 600 Comp Cookbook Showbiz NWestTVP573 CEEFAX 2 573 Fri 21 Jan 22:02/21 4/4 Stefan Buczacki writes: Plant of Week: Winter flowering iris An iris in bloom in mid-winter is so unexpected that Iris unguicularis really is a plant to cherish. It ism't difficult to grow but I always find it best in a container of gritty compost rather than a garden soil bed. Place it in the sunniest place in the garden; and let it remain there in the summer too when it needs baking hot conditions. The best variety is the rich blue 'Mary Barnard'. Free time 570 House plant hint >>> Switched On 540 Cookery 580 TV 600 Comp Cookbook Showbiz NWestTV