The sap of the Giant Hogweed can cause phytophotodermatitis (PPD) which isn’t easy to say and even more painful to experience.  Basically, the sap reacts with sunlight to cause blistering and burns on the skin. Tom explained, “I was badly burnt 2 years ago.  Despite all my experience and being fully kitted out in the appropriate protective clothing, the sap went through the seams of my protective suit.  I have also known of a child spending 3 weeks in hospital as a result of playing amongst  the weed; it grows to about 15 feet with a leaf span of up to 9 foot which makes it attractive for kids to make dens with.  Everyone should familiarise themselves with this dangerous plant.”  

Himalayan Balsam is a member of the Busy Lizzie family with deceptively pretty flowers which has lead to people stealing seed to sow in their own gardens.  Other non native invasive plants or that are causing problems include Water Primrose, Parrots’ Feather, Ragwort, Rhododendron ponticum and even the herbaceous horror, Montbretia.  

Taken from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column for the Western Mail (Media Wales) 13.03.10  

The first thing that strikes me about the Deputy Head of Operations for the Wye and Usk Foundation, Tom Richards, is that he is much less assuming than his title.  Having a demeanour that  Dad would have described as ‘old school’, Tom is full of information and common sense both of which he is keen to share.   In charge of the Usk catchment, he leads a team of workers undertaking practical work on the rivers known as Habitat Restoration.  “We improve access to Historical Spawning grounds of migratory species of fish,” he explains simply, “I have always worked on the rivers, and previously spent 10 years working for Keep Wales Tidy removing rubbish from the river banks as incredibly, no-one, is liable for removing rubbish on a river bank.”
“ Tidy Towns are also playing a significant role in addressing one of the biggest problems on the rivers at the moment are the non native, invasive weeds and the three terrestrials are, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam.  We have been working on a Giant Hogweed eradication project on the Usk river for 2 years and we are beating it quietly; we have been working on Japanese Knotweed for 30 years with good results of late but the new threat is Himalayan Balsam.  The plant is an annual so it comes back year after year; it produces 100’s and 100’s of seeds and which are small and hooked and easily spread by animals, vehicles, walkers and fishermen as well as being waterborne.  It’s a real nuisance of a plant,” explains Tom, “as it spreads so quickly and can grows to about 2 foot tall, shading out the native species of plants and even grass at its base.   It just takes over and because it’s shallow rooted and dies back every year it also leads to erosion problems on river banks.  The plant itself is safe to handle and we have a terrific group of volunteers who work in teams to pull the plant up before it flowers and sets seed.  April and May is the best time,  which is also a great time of year to be out in the fresh air on the riverbank and we are always looking for more volunteers.”  He adds cannily. 
“Obviously it’s not just the Usk  that’s affected, all river trusts are concerned as are the National Park, the Wildlife Trust and the National Trust.  And it’s not just riverbanks that are at risk; Himalayan Balsam is spread so easily that it is already taking over hillsides, woods and even gardens.  The big problem is that it just crowds out everything else; it kills all the native and even domestic plants.  Unlike Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam is a pretty plant and people are fooled into thinking it’s harmless.  It also has high yields of nectar, up to 5 times the amount of other plants and we have unfortunately heard rumours of commercial beekeepers spreading the seeds deliberately to grow plants for their bees.  The long term problem here is that our native species aren’t being pollinated then,” he explains patiently.  “We need to take responsibility for our environment that means thinking about and taking action for the long term.” 
If you are interested in volunteering to join Tom and his teams on the riverbank, call Tom on  07920 422008. He is fascinating to talk to and will be able to advice you how you can help in your area.  He is also happy to answer your questions about these and other non native invasive plants you may be concerned about.  www.wyeuskfoundation.org  also has further relevant information or pop into www.nonnativespecies.org for down loadable photographs to aid identification.

Taken from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column for Western Mail (Media Wales) 13.03.10

The popular presenter of ITV’s The Wales Show, Matt Johnson readily admits to being a fair-weather gardener.  “I enjoy spending time in the garden in summer with a big glass of wine.  My gardening experience is slim and I’m unlucky at the moment to be living in an apartment with just a balcony and a couple of pots but I do like the idea of having a nice garden one day.  A rustic, natural looking one,” he adds, “Not one that takes a lot of looking after and looks well groomed like my grandparents garden.  They spend so much time looking after theirs, their lawn looks like the Millenium Stadium with the stripes, there are roses around the edge and they’ve got cute little bird baths.  It looks lovely but it’s not for me, it’s too much like hard work,” he laughs.
My granddad, ‘Foxy’, used to let me cut the grass to earn a bit of extra cash but I was always really nervous of messing it up and if I’d gone on the lawn in my football boots I’d have been thrown into next doors garden.” 
The likeable TV presenter continues, “I’d love to grow and cook my own veg like my grandparents though, we used to eat organically all the time, a long time before it was the cool thing to do.  I made Cawl last week,” he adds, “and cooking up the veg reminded me of them and wanting to grow my own.  It seems a ridiculous aim at the moment because I’m so busy,” he admits, “it’ll probably be when I retire.”
“I like seeing the daffodils out now,” Matt continues, “they look great and are uplifting and their cheap to buy,” he adds.  “I don’t like flowers like lilies, the pollen gets on your clothes, and they seem fussy and on their high horse; daffodils are more like working men’s flowers, no nonsense and do the job.”
Still in financial mode, he adds, “I also resent paying £1.75 for 6 tomatoes, which is another reason I want to grow my own veg.”  When I suggest he grow his own on the balcony he agrees,  “Maybe I will this year, I like the idea of doing that.    I like fruit and veg and I try to eat healthily,” he confesses, “I love spinach and put it in everything; Popeye is my inspiration.”  He laughs, adding, “I can remember my Great grandparents drinking the juice they cooked the spinach in, it’s brilliant, really good for you.” 
Hopefully, Matt’s spinach dishes will give him the strength needed to complete the London Marathon in April.  He is raising money for Mind Cymru, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales and you can sponsor him at  http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MATTJOHNSONS

Written by Lynne Allbutt for Green Scene in Western Mail (Media Wales) 6th March 2010

   World renowned Welsh winger, Shane Williams recalls fond childhood memories of the time spent with his grandparents.  “My Grandfather Emyrs, is a very keen gardener,” he explains,  “he is really good with his hands and used to build his own garden furniture,  bird tables and bird houses.  I used to love helping him and I could build a mean bird house myself,” he laughs, “though I haven’t built one since I was 18, so I’d be a bit slower now.”
Better known for his side-stepping than his sawing skills, the BBC Welsh Sports Personality of 2008, continues to talk about his granddad with obvious respect and reverence.  “He always had a lovely garden, he built paths and a pond and had a little allotment and I always wanted my own garden to be the same as his. To be honest I was gutted when he moved; he’s in his 70’s now but still potters about and builds quirky things in his shed.  I envy him a bit,” Shane admits, “it’s like he has his own little special World.” 
“I love gardening,” he continues, “Whenever I’ve bought a house I’ve made sure I’ve got a nice big garden. We’ve got a big front garden where we are now which takes a lot of work to keep it nice.  I maintain the grass and cut back the shrubs myself; I take my time with the mower and I’m not very good at getting straight lines,” he laughs “but at least I keep it tidy.  I’d love to grow veg at sometime but it would be difficult in this garden; the front gardens all show and the backs a bit small.” he explains.
Shane’s garden might not be ideal for veg but sounds perfect for children. “The kids love playing out in the garden, especially Georgie (3), she’s always busy; like a spinning top, I can’t keep up with her.” Adds the ‘wing-footed’ winger modestly.  “She loves fresh veg too, raw or cooked, and we want her brother Carter (7 months) to be the same.  I’ve never been a big fan of eating veg,” he admits with a familiar grin,  “but I remember always eating what Granddad grew and Nan cooked.  They had a great old fashioned relationship.  Granddad always working outside and Nan cooking whatever he grew and picking flowers for the house,” he recalls appreciatively. 
“I was lucky growing up in the Amman Valley; we were surrounded by woodland and fields and I had a football and rugby park just 4 or 500 yards from the house.  I was always outdoors, always on the go and always had a rugby or football with me.  Next door had horses and I remember kicking a ball around the paddock dodging the horses and horse muck.  I used to go home stinking!”
The first Welshman to be named the International Rugby Board’s World Player of the Year in 2008, concludes with a confession, “the plan is to go back to my grandparents lifestyle once the kids have grown up a bit.  We’ve got a big house on a nice estate at the moment and it’s easier whilst the kids are small.  But I have still got a house with 5 acres in the Amman Valley, with woodland and a stream running through it.   Mum is there at the moment but in a couple of years we’ll move back in and have my perfect home and garden.  I’ll be able to have my allotment and build bird houses in my own shed.”
Shane Williams launched the Shane Williams Rugby Academy in partnership with The Co-operative. For information or a place: Activate Sport 08003457480 or www.shanewilliamsrugbyacademy.co.uk

Taken from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene Column for the Western Mail (Media Wales) 27.02.10

A UK supermarket recently announced that will be selling the first new vegetable for nearly ten years and the good news is that you can grow your own.  Described as a flower-like Brussel sprout, the Petit Posy brassica seed is available from www.thompson-morgan.com (online or from their 2010 seed catalogue) at just £2.99 per packet.  The brand new vegetable looks like a cross between Brussels sprouts and kale but tastes more like spring greens.  The loose buttons are easily picked of the stems and are delicious and nutritious, perfect in stir fries or as a steamed veg.   Extremely winter hardy, Petit Posy can be sown from late March through until early June providing delicious crops from mid November through until the New Year.

By Lynne Allbutt for the Western Mail 13.02.10 

Owners and founders of the Woolly Pocket planting system, Miguel and Rodney  Nelson  cheerfully admit to having no knowledge of plants before inventing their innovative products.  “I am an artist and my brother is a manufacturing expert,” explains Miguel, “we work well together, like Yin and Yang,” laughs the laid back Californian. “We are surrounded by people who do know their plants now though,” he continues, “gardeners have gravitated towards us, they love the product.”
“As an artist, I wanted to be able to decorate walls with plants but the only way was to grow a plant up a piece of wood or wire, so we invented our own breathable system.  We started with ‘Wally’, a big, soft sided, lined pocket that you hang on a wall, (indoors as well as outside) fill with soil and add your plants.   You can use a single pocket so you have a piece of living art, instead of a picture or a photo or you can group the pockets together to make a living wall that grows and breathes.   The pockets are made from recycled plastic bottles and are constructed so that the wall stays completely dry; even if you were to fill the pocket with water the wall wouldn’t get wet,” Miguel reassures me, “people were a bit nervous of that at first.  I believe everyone has a greener thumb than they think,” he adds, “and you don’t have to have a lot of knowledge to take care of plants in this system.  They are easier to look after than a cat, do or a child,” he grins. 
“We have created living walls for restaurants, Hotels and retail outlets as well as individuals,” he explains.  “And we are now supplying schools too.  Here in California, we have an ‘Edible School Yard’ programme where schools use an outside garden area as a classroom.  The problem is that there often isn’t much land available and there’s all the red tape and building codes to get through to build a garden in a yard.  With the Wallys, you just hang them on the wall or on the chain-link fence.  You can create a whole garden in an afternoon and with little cost.  Kids are encouraged to have their own Wally or pocket and different grades use them for different projects, from art to science or environmental.”
Miguel continues, in his soft Southern drawl, “We also offer free standing modules and even a living handbag.  We are into thinking about plants as friends or pets so we want the whole system to be fun and not hard work.  We have created a gardening container that is actually better for the plants than normal containers, the plants love them.  We have new products coming out next month and we’ve called them after people; so we have Steve, Brain and Tina. Plants are all around us, why wouldn’t we see them as friends?”
To find out more about the products and planting ideas pop into www.woollypocket.com  You can purchase your Wally from www.gardenbeet.co.uk   as they have paid the Duty and Tax.

As written by Lynne Allbutt for Green Scene in the Western Mail (Media Wales) 13th Jan 2010

“As the spring bulbs start to emerge and bloom, if you didn’t plant any in your garden last autumn, you’ll probably wish you had.  But don’t go without.  Garden Centres will be selling a varity of spring bulbs that will flower in pots and they are perfect for just sinking in the ground or tubs and window boxes, pots and all.  Instant colour and no one will ever know,” she laughs.

Did You Know?
A couple of Valerie’s garden favourite are Lonicera fragrantissima (Winter Honeysuckle) and snowdrops as she feels they both signify the end of the winter and are full of spring hope.  “And did you know that the leaves of snowdrops are actually pre-strengthened to enable them to push up through frozen ground, like little ice picks,” she adds. “They are equipped to get through the most hostile of grounds.”

Writer, broadcaster and Garden Agony Aunt,  Valerie McBride-Munro admits to having had the affectionate title of Auntie Planty bestowed upon her by grateful gardeners.  “Men always laugh,” she adds “but I have the last laugh as it’s a name everyone remembers.”  Valerie is a fabulous mix of good old fashioned, hands on ethics as well as being well organized and focussed.  “My first husband was in the Army,” she explains “and I spent most of my adult life in the Far East.  I had a daily three hour radio show which was very popular and I loved doing it.  When I came back to the UK  I decided to qualify in Broadcast Journalism.  After a disappointing stint in the News Room at Pebble Mill,  I realised I had the communication skills but now I needed a speciality.  I had always loved plants and aged just ten years old spent all my pocket money on plants for a tiny little inner city garden in Belfast.  I was up against rough boys and dogs,” she recalls, “but I loved it; so it seemed natural to do a degree course in Horticulture at Pershore College.” 
“Army life teaches you to reinvent yourself every couple of years,” she adds, “it’s as though someone blows a whistle and says ‘right, everyone move’.  Wherever you settle,  you have to make another life.  I have been continually reinventing myself ever since.”
 It’s this down to earth approach that makes Valerie much sought after for her talks and tuition.   “I helped people solve their gardening problems on the radio, TV and in magazines and whilst it’s a great way to impart advice it’s always general and not dealing specifically with what one has in their own garden.  My aim is to get gardeners to create a garden as a place of pleasure for themselves and to establish ownership of their space.  People get daunted by perfect pictures of perfect gardens.  If people know ‘Why’ they’re doing something the ‘How to’ is far easier to learn. Under my tutelage, people wouldn’t prune roses at the wrong time of year because they would understand why they are doing it.   There could be 101 reasons why a plant looks miserable or dies and people tend to think it’s their fault.  It seldom is;  it’s usually down to the soil or a bug or even the weather.  If you have  yellowing leaves, where the yellow patches are on the plant will tell you what nutrient is missing.  With a bit of knowledge and understanding you can put most things right.” 
Valerie’s combined passion for plants and people also proves a great success at Kew Gardens where she is a guide.  “I enjoy sharing knowledge and I want to bring what people perceive as a complicated subject down to every day speak.  We have enormous fun, I love leaving happy people behind me.”
Be inspired and find out more about Auntie Planty at www.auntieplanty.com

Written by Lynne Allbutt for Green Scene, Western Mail, (Media Wales) 6th February 2010

“A garden is only as good as its soil.”  Clay soil will evoke frustration into the most enthusiastic of gardeners however, with a lot of love, care and commitment, it can actually be extremely productive.  Most gardeners will be familiar with its traits and the recommendation of incorporating sharp sand (not builder’s sand) and organic matter to improve aeration and drainage but there is a bit more to it than that.  With clay conditions, the structure of the subsoil is as important as the structure of the topsoil.   If you remedy the topsoil without rectifying the sub soil (where necessary) you will get water-logging at that lower level which will cause further problems.  Heavy compacted subsoil will need drainage measures implemented, tedious but essential.   The structure and friability (crumbli-ness; think of Cadbury’s Flake) of the topsoil is largely determined by levels of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and hydrogen.  This is known as the Cation Balance. The presence or lack of these elements can be revealed by professional soil analysis and is crucial to addressing soil problems of any sort, not just clay.    Invest in a Test - Basic soil testing kits to determine the ph of your soil, can be obtained from most garden centres, however I always recommend a professional soil analysis to be carried out especially if you are growing your own veg.  You can choose from several services at www.mrscrow.com and also buy products to remedy the results from there, (or call 01952 550050).  Each soil sample tested will cost £47.00 but consider it an investment.  It doesn’t matter how much work you put in above the ground, if the soil isn’t happy then you’ll never get a healthy, happy crop.

Taken from Lynne Allbutt's Green Scene column in Western Mail, (Media Wales) 30.01.2010

Used to addressing demands in the Political Arena, Wales’s First Minister, Carwyn  Jones also has a few challenges closer to home, in his garden.  “Our soil is very poor,” he explains, “We have got a large garden and in the 12 years we have lived here, I have planted lots of trees, fruit canes and got a vegetable patch going.  The trouble is,” he confides, is that the veg patch I had at our previous house was really easy digging and a pleasure to look after.  Now I’ve got really heavy clay so it’s hard work.  It doesn’t break down at all, I just about manage to turn it over but getting a tilth is impossible.”
“I have concentrated mainly on fruit and veg and planted a lot of soft fruit, plums, loganberries, pears and a lovely mulberry tree.  It only went in four years ago so it’ll be another 3 years before it fruits.  And as the soil is so alkaline, I’ve put blueberries in pots, in ericaceous compost.  I think the garden needs a bit more colour now so I’ve just bought some heathers but they’ll have to go in pots too,” he adds knowingly.
It appears Carwyn ‘knows his onions’ then?  “I can talk a good garden,” he laughs, adding quickly, “but I can’t grow pumpkins and all my peas died last year, every single one.   I’m still not sure why.  Possible causes sparked a lively debate at the local gardening club,” he adds humorously. “I think I’ll stick to root veg this year because of the soil.”
“And I’m determined to sort the lawn out this year too.  When the house was built they basically put a wall around a field for the garden, so the lawn is just a meadow.  It’s got everything growing in it, even bluebells, so it’s difficult to cut the grass.  I want to get a healthier and stronger lawn.”
 It appears gardening is a family affair, as Carwyn continues, “The kids grow sunflowers every year and have got their own herb garden under an old apple tree.  They do show an interest and certainly know their herbs, though I think turning the soil put them off a bit.  And Lisa, my wife, takes care of the pot plants and helps eat the veg.” He adds affectionately.
“It’s great for children to see where their food comes from, as well as experiencing and understanding the different seasons.  A lot more schools have got gardens now, which is great.  And there are the health benefits of course, not only do they get more exercise but I think they enjoy eating what they grow so that encourages a healthier diet too.”
Passionate about growing his own, the First Minister likes to cook his own too.  “I like cooking, when I have the time.   I think cooking skills are important and there’s nothing nicer than veg from the garden.  My Dad, Caron, does a lot of gardening too, so keeps us well supplied.  He’s got a greenhouse so he grows tomatoes and cucumbers as well as lots of radishes, lettuce, kidney beans and gibbons, or spring onions,” he adds. 
When I mention the advantage of trading with surplus veg,  Carwyn laughs, “Dad’s trading position is far stronger than mine, all I grew last year were potatoes to try to break up the heavy soil.  They were a great success though.  We are still eating our own potatoes.”  he adds proudly.

Written by Lynne Allbutt for Green Scene, Western Mail (Media Wales) 30th January 2010