'GT' answered the following question by phone. The reader who called complained that his front yard has a very steep slope which is hard to maintain. He plans to cover the bare soil in the area with seven centimetres of mulch and plant a ground cover.
His question was: Should he lay down landscape fabric first?
The answer was, 'No!'
Since he wants ground covers to spread, the use of landscape fabric is not recommended, as this will keep said ground cover from spreading. If the slope is truly steep and in danger of eroding, this reader was also advised to consult with a landscape architect for assistance in designing a suitable retaining wall or series of terraces.
Easter lilies
Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your Easter lily even longer:
Choose a plant with dark green foliage all the way down to the soil line.
For a long season of blooms, choose a plant with one or two open flowers, and six or more closed flowers at various stages of maturity.
Place the plant in indirect light. Flowers will last longer at temperatures of 60F-65F. To promote long-lasting blooms, remove the yellow anthers once the flower opens.
Save Monkey Island!
Monkey Island in San San, Port Antonio. - Rita Elliott
Several emails, petitions, in fact, have landed in my letter box regarding the proposed real estate development of Monkey Island in San San, Port Antonio.
The current owner, reportedly, plans to construct four villas on the island. If this is so, it will result in a negative impact on the environment of the lovely rock. And this, both during the construction phase and afterwards …
As for you and I, we shall lose free access to the beach, along with the opportunity to swim or snorkel there. If this trend goes on, Jamaicans will lose the possibility to put a single foot in their own sea; most of the seashore now belongs to hotels or private properties.
Also known as Pellew Island, Monkey Island is one of Jamaica's few small, near-shore islands. Located just off the San San coast near Port Antonio, Pellew Island is an important part of Jamaica's natural heritage and an iconic image of our north-eastern coast. Originally part of Cold Harbour Estates, it was purchased in 1953 by Baron Heinrich Thyssen as a Valentine gift for his fiancée, and has been privately owned ever since.
The island sits at one end of a coral reef, which protects the San San Bay. It is surrounded by healthy seagrass beds and wonderful swimming areas. Jamaicans and visitors alike visit the island by boat, laze on the small beach, snorkel at the nearby reef and generally enjoy the gorgeous setting.
