Page 28 - link magazine

HOME & GARDEN
28
P B PLUMBING SERVICES Local builder at your service

Boilers Serviced With Christmas out of the way, Recently his work in West
Pump Fitting Service many householders maybe think- Swindon has included internal
Water Softeners Fitted ing of what small building works and external decorating, internal
need to be done in and around
Washing Machines and Dishwashers Fitted alterations such putting in walls
the house. and doors, removing partitions
Telephone: (0793) 642995 Finding a local builder or deco- to make bigger living area, build-
rator can be difficult, especially if ing fireplaces, cupboards, patios,
the job is a small one. tiling bathrooms and kitchens.
Toothill resident Ron Ahrens It can be difficult to find some-
Pe4 Seoe For a high standard Swindon for the last eight months reasonable price and have it done
has been specialising in West
one to take on small jobs at a
of work
with references available after 25 years working as a builder in a reasonable time scale. Ron
Painter and Decorator phone now and decorator in London. His Ahrens has been building a repu-
Tel: Swindon 870515 for a FREE estimate. experience in carpentry, brick tation for doing quality work
laying, plastering and related without keeping people waiting.
skills means he can take on any He can be contacted on 692134.
job asked of him.
Minder Security Services
er
Spring is going to appear in just a few weeks,
11Heytesbury Gardens, Grange Park
Keep Your Home Safe with a Professionally so The Link's gardening writer Claire Beaton
Installed Burgier Alarm suggest it might be an idea to
Security Lighting, Finance Available at 0% Interest Chance early seed or two
Savings on Household Insurance
For a free quote, telephone 848063 January is not too soon for imple- sunny spells.
menting your New Year's resolu- I think there are several point-
RON AHRENS tion for a garden to rival those in ers to successful seed raising here.
BUILDER & DECORATOR the magazine glossies this sum- First, there is the seed tray; which
Specialising In all aspects of high quality building work mer. The action is best taken holds enough compost to stay
indoors though, since cold, wet evenly moist and with a surface
especially decorating, carpentry and plastering.
soil is happier left alone until the area large enough to take advan-
All work guaranteed. No job too small. Free estimates warner weather. All the Christ- tage of what warmth there is.
mas gifts and baubles have been Flower pots would tend to be
Telephone: 692134 (West Swindon)
cleared from the garden centres cooler, because of their depth, and
now and you should find instead small margarine tubs would tend
their new season's stock of seeds to dry out too quickly. Secondly,
G. Stevens (Electrical) to choose from. the compost used is a peat-based
My husband's mother scarcely one; which means it will hold the
Electrical Contractor & Engineer ever buys plants for her garden. warmth. It could be made yet
The new patches of colour that lighter with perlite added. Next,
Domestic, Commercial
appear in her garden each year the compost is watered before
& Industrial Installations are all grown from packets of seed see sowing; this prevents seeds
Fire Alarm & Intruder Alarm Installations from perennial plants; such as being washed down into the
lupins, foxgloves and aquilegia. compost and then failing to make
24 hour, 7 day a week call out service She sows these in January; a time it to the surface again. I have
I have always thought a little early heard a tip for very fine seeds.
-No job too big .No job too small for sowing; but each year she The compost is covered with a
produces these marvelous plants layer of fine moss peat after firm-
-Quality work .Guaranteed that flower later in the summer. I ing to make an even bed for ger-
-Competitive rates think her special ingredientisTLC mination, rather like marzipan
- tender loving care. on a fruit cake. Finally, the plas-
She always sows into a half tic covering maintains humidity
Tel: Swindon 870948 seed -tray brim-full with compost. and so protects the young seed-
The surface is slightly firmed and lings until their leaves have
.. . I...... watered and onto this the seeds spread.
Al HAND1H 1121= ?:`,7.7,,h- are sown. A light covering of Enough of the technicalities!
compost is sprinkled over the Imagine a drift of aquilegia or
TOOL AND PLANT Hl surface and then the tray is cov- lupins in rainbow shades, or a
ered over with a piece of plastic carpet of pansies or geums. You
from an old polythene bag. Then may be more or less successful in
dr
it is placed on a windowsill where the germination game, but un-
p it will receive plenty of light with- less you chance the seed in sow-
Xle-V
out being baked by prolonged ing there will be no plants at all.
f A good resolution to make now is to decide to enter
West Swindon's first ever garden competition. The
EASY PARKING - COLLECTION/DELIVERY SERVICE West Swindon Gardening Club, which meets at the
MON-FRI. Bann —6pm; SAT. 8am-5pm
• I if.
Unit 9, Marlborough Road Industrial Estate, Link Centre, is planning to invite residents to enter
gas
Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN48AX
Tel: Swindon 854821 their gardens for-judging in the summer. Details will
....UU...... U be published in future issues of The Link.
•