The Gardeners’ World presenter highlighted a common problem for this time of year for anyone with stone or brick paths as well as offering a couple of solutions
For some, winter is the most beautiful of seasons when it comes to the garden – but there are dangers to watch out for in the cold weather.
Gardeners’ World TV presenter Monty Don is well aware of this in his most recent blog. The green-fingered expert warned anyone who has brick or stone paths in their gardens to watch out in case they fall over.
He explains: “At this time of year brick and stone paths can be very slippery and dangerous. This is due to algae that grows on the surface, especially if wet and shaded and at this time of year they may stay wet and slippery for months.”
Monty reveals that the most effective way to remove the algae – and therefore the slipperiness – is by using a pressure hose. He notes: “The best way to reduce the slipperiness is to wash off the algae with a pressure hose (which can be hired by the day). When this is done brush in sharpsand. If the path is brick or stone the porous surface will absorb some of the sand.”
However, there is a quicker method you can try if don’t own a pressure hose and don’t want to hire one. “A quicker – but still quite laborious – alternative is simply to work sand in with a stiff brush without the washing. Either way you have a very effective way of making a path safe without resorting to chemicals,” he says.
Elsewhere, Monty also urged gardeners to plant garlic bulbs before Christmas. He said that now is the time to plant the tiny vegetable we love to use on a regular basis in our dishes. The expert added that garlic bulbs are easy to buy and just as straightforward to grow.
He noted: “I start planting garlic bulbs in September but it can be done at any time before Christmas to have a good harvest next summer. The garlic you mostly buy is almost always ‘soft neck’ which has a flexible plaitable stem, stores well (which is why shops stock it) and is often excellent.
“But many think the best garlic are ‘hard neck’ varieties which have a stiff, upright stalk and tends to have smaller bulbs. However it is just as easy to grow and get hold of from good suppliers and because it is much harder to buy, it makes sense to grow it yourself.”
