< PreviousARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE Leigh Lambert was born and raised in Newcastle- Upon- Tyne, where he resided for the first twenty years of his life. 20 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY L ambert began to draw as soon as he could hold a pencil, with his family quickly recognizing his artistic flair. As he progressed through school his exceptionally detailed creations captured the attentions of his teachers, who admired his canny knack for capturing a view. However, the artist describes himself as mostly self- taught, having received no formal art qualifications or training. Lambert relocated to Warwickshire with his family in 1996, where he focused on the development of his technique. It was on leaving Newcastle that he began to appreciate the nature of his upbringing; what he had once seen as a concrete jungle now seeming strangely beautiful. Taking inspiration from his childhood, Lambert’s pieces have a strong sense of nostalgia, evoking fond memories of a youth that many can relate to. Lambert is an accomplished artist across a range of media, most commonly working in oils on board. His use of colour is minimal, optimistically applying splashes only to the figures that play amidst the otherwise monochromatic landscapes, capturing the joy and vitality of youth. Working from his garden studio, the artist has achieved great success in recent years. In 2014 he was shortlisted as Best Up and Coming Artist in the prestigious Fine Art Trade Guild Awards, and consequently his works are hugely sought after. Limited Editions often sell out within weeks, and waiting lists are in place for those hoping to acquire original paintings. WONDERS Winter LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 21 THE LITTLE RED GALLERY Love art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat. The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas. If you’d like to see Leigh’s work for yourself, head down to Lincoln’s Little Red Gallery22 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Ed Fuller explains how fruit trees are for every garden. 1. Garden size. In large gardens, you can choose vigorous rootstocks and grow apples as ‘standard’ or ‘half-standard’ trees, as they give the best yields. In smaller plots, consider dwarfing rootstocks and training your trees, for example as cordons or espaliers. 2. In the kitchen. Do you want a dessert (eating) or culinary (cooking) apple? The majority of apple cultivars are either dessert or culinary, although some are dual-purpose. 3. Flavour is usually the most important consideration for most gardeners. Unfortunately, imported apples sold in supermarkets are from warmer countries, and the same cultivar will have a different flavour when grown in Britain. Try going to a local farm shop and buying one of each that’s grown in the UK for your own apple tasting at home. 4. Disease resistance is another P lanting a tree is one of the most life-affirming and positive steps you can take for the future. While we think about the flowers and colours we want in our garden, the fruit tree can be overlooked as a great addition to our outdoor space. In June 2023, to pay tribute to King Charles III’s commitment to the natural world the “Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature” initiative was launched – a three-year programme to encourage millions of people to grow their own food in wildlife-friendly gardens. One way to achieve this is to plant a fruit tree. There are many options you could go for such as plum, pear, cherry, peach, or fig trees, but the most commonly planted is the apple tree. Maybe because apples are one of the hardiest and easiest fruit trees to grow. Here are 5 things to think about when choosing your apple trees. Flourishing Flourishing1. Clear up fallen leaves, especially from lawns, ponds and beds 2. Plant tulip bulbs for a spring display next year 3. Prune roses to prevent wind-rock 4. Plant out winter bedding 5. Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem 6. Stop winter moth damage to fruit trees by using grease bands around the trunks 7. Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the garden 8. Remove pumps and lights from shallow ponds and keep tidying your pond. Especially after fallen leaves 9. Lift parsnips and store in boxes with sand, and harvest brussels sprouts 10. Dispose of excess debris unfit for compost by having a bonfire – but check for hedgehogs! LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 23 FULLERS Call 01522 868717 or 07867 510544 landscapinglincolnshire@gmail.com www.landscapinglincolnshire.com GARDEN ADVICE Specialised Service in Garden Design and Landscaping Backed by a highly-skilled and experienced team, we’ve built our reputation on an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored garden design and construction services. Around the garden consideration that varies between cultivars, with modern types often having higher levels of resistance than traditional ones. 5. Pollination group. Many apples need pollination from a different cultivar that flowers at the same time. If you have a large enough garden, you can plant two different cultivars (pollination partners). If space is limited, you can also buy ‘family’ trees which have two or three cultivars grafted onto one tree. Now is the best time to be planting an apple tree and choose a planting site with fertile soil that drains freely and doesn’t become waterlogged. Apple trees like full sun and a warm sheltered site that isn’t prone to late frosts, which can damage the flowers. Prepare your tree for planting by giving it a good watering if it’s in a container or by standing it in a bucket of water for half an hour if it’s a bare-root tree. In the spring your apple tree will provide you with a wonderful display of its blossom, and then prepare yourself for the harvest of apples that you will get from late summer to autumn depending on the type of apple you have gone for. © stock.adobe.com/Xalanx © stock.adobe.com/Johana © stock.adobe.com/SteenoWac/peopleimages.com24 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY GARDENS A s we enter the colder months, it’s time to start planning our plant and floral displays for next year. In order to get the best out of these, a quality greenhouse is essential for sowing seeds, nurturing plants in and watching them grow, providing the ideal conditions before planting out into your garden. The leading agents for Elite Greenhouses, Andrew Dams offers a vast range of models to suit the needs and budget of every gardener. Established in 1983, the reputable, Billinghay-based family firm specialises in high quality timber sheds, summerhouses, pergolas, and garage doors, as well as aforementioned Elite greenhouses, and even has a special paved area onsite, where customers can view selected designs. This includes lean-to greenhouses and the traditional apex greenhouse, with each Elite greenhouse available in different sizes and displayed in the traditional aluminium finish, with the choice of powder coated colours to suit any preference, from Mocha to Brown, Graphite, White, Olive, Green, Black, Berry, Stone and Navy. Daniel Dams shared: “The workmanship that goes into creating Elite Greenhouses is outstanding. Like us, they are a family business and have been running so for 70 years. All Elite greenhouses are made of aluminium, preventing rust and enhancing the longevity of the product, while all clips are stainless steel. The nuts and bolts are tested to be two and a half times stronger than normal aluminium bolts and there are three different glazing options available, allowing customers to choose between traditional horticultural glass, toughened glass, or a polycarbonate glazing option. All glazing is cushioned by neoprene beading, which has a greater wind resistance, with the option for temperature controlled opening windows and louvres, to keep the greenhouse well-ventilated during Get the best from your plants with greenhouses Selecting a quality greenhouse can make all the difference to your plants and flowers, seeing them flourish. Follow us for regular updates… the hotter months.” Included in the standard prices are supply and assembly by Andrew Dams’ experienced and knowledgeable team, although self-assembly supply can be organised by arrangement at a competitive price, within a 70-mile radius. Andrew Dams’ showroom is open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm. 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A gift Subscription is the perfect present that lasts all year round! 4 great reasons to subscribe... 3 Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range... • Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more… 3 First 3 issues only £1! 3 FREE delivery to your door 3 Receive your copy before it hits the shops First 3 issues for £126 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY GARDENS A s we sit on the cusp of winter, with leaves dropping from trees and breezes becoming bitter, we are set to enter a period that can be harsh on gardens. The colder months can do a significant amount of harm; therefore it is important to prepare, to protect plants and flowers, so that gardens bloom beautifully once again next year come spring. With threats from flooding to damaging winds and frost, here are some top tips to help your garden survive. Neat and tidy To prep for winter an easy way to begin is to clear any debris and clutter from your garden - broken pots and mouldy netting can be taken away, while leaves will need raking up. geraniums can be potted for an attractive houseplant over the winter, so long as they are placed in areas of the home that bathe in natural light. Pots that you plan to leave outdoors should be raised off the ground to allow water to drain away, and if you own terracotta pots, consider wrapping them with fleece to prevent cracking. Wrapping potted plants will also stop roots freezing. Other plants, like vegetables, may be tucked in with a layer of insulation, for example horticultural fleece, after mulching, but ensure to also carry out other prep tasks to clean up the area. Pick all produce so they are not left to rot, attracting insects, disease and pests that will be detrimental to the garden next year, and do a final weeding so garden beds and grounds are cleared. Prepping for winter Protect plants Though hardy spring-blooming bulbs can be planted now, tender plants, such as dahlia and canna, will need to be moved inside ahead of winter, to greenhouses, windowsills, garages et al., to keep them frost-free, safe, and warm. As the ground freezes, these plants won’t survive. It is recommended, after frost has turned leaves brown, to carefully dig up bulbs or tubers, cut away leaves and brush off soil, leaving these plants to dry out in a cool spot for around a week, to then pack them in a breathable container, cover them in sawdust or newspapers so bulbs do not touch, before putting them in your chosen location to be replanted next year. Concurrently, pots and containers can be easily transferred indoors, and summer plants like Prepping for winter As freezing gusts, frost, and snow get ready to blow through gardens, it is important to pre-empt potential damage. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 27 GARDENS Old annual plants should also be removed, collecting any seeds you want, and any disease-free debris added to compost piles. The soil in vegetable gardens should be fed now too, to keep vital nutrients in place ahead of wind, rain, and snow. An eye must be kept on hardy perennials meanwhile, as though not requiring much assistance for winter, one must look out for frost heaving, where the soil pushes plants out of the ground. To overcome this, a layer of chopped leaves or other mulch can be placed around perennials after the ground has frozen, also helping to regulate soil temperatures and moisture. To keep gardens tidy over winter, perennials can also be cut back once frost has withered their leaves, adding a mulch layer to appearance in spring, however it is wise to check pruning times for individual trees and shrubs. Once the ground has frozen, look to spread organic material to keep moisture in the soil and protect roots from freezing and thawing. Young evergreens exposed to the elements meanwhile will need to be shielded from winter wind with shade cloth shelters for instance. Planting ahead November is not just a time to worry about your garden’s health, it is additionally ideal for planting bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, pansies, bluebells, and snowdrops for a springtime bloom. A plethora of other flower, fruit, and vegetable seeds can also be planted, as well as bare-root fruit trees. © stock.adobe.com/Vlad It is not only plants that need to be protected for the winter. Ensure you have stored or covered up your garden furniture to prevent deterioration! protect them. This will provide an opportunity to tidy up straggly stems, and weed at the same time, but leaving an odd seed head is a great way to provide food for wildlife during cold months. Cutting to the crown is suitable for most perennials and will help them produce fresh shoots in spring. Take care of trees Trees and shrubs will also need to be seen to prior to winter, ensuring they are in top shape. Trim away any damage or disease to prevent these exacerbating, and if autumn has been dry, you may want to give trees and shrubs a good watering before the ground freezes. This is also a great time to cut back low hanging and untidy looking branches to give trees a neat 28 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FASHION As we watch temperatures drop, nights close in, and party season begin, a new outfit or two is a must. New November fashion New November fashion LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 29 FASHION Fat Face Fat Face warms up your November wardrobe with eclectic layers, through wide legged trousers, a paisley print blouse and check scarf cinched with a belt. Next >