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The traditional habit of tidying up the garden in preparation for
the colder months by removing most of the spent vegetation and completely clearing the
ground of leaves and clippings has been reconsidered and substituted in recent years by a
more 'natural' approach, as a direct reflection of the more ecologically conscious
attitude of modem gardening.
The fertility of the soil in which we grow plants depends on a replenishing cycle of
decomposed organic matter. In the long term this natural process cannot simply be
substituted by applications of artificial fertilisers, which would result in nutritional
imbalances and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.
Ideal soils contain an active microscopic life of microbes, bacteria, algae and fungi
responsible for the first disintegration of solids. This process occurs in the top strata
(a few centimetres deep) which contains much organic material dead or alive. Beetles and
worms, working just under the surface, decompose fallen leaves, vegetative matter and
animal corpses. A healthy population of earthworms is an essential asset, as they work in
the top layer but their tunnels go through all soil strata, contributing also to soil
aeration.
Their casts, pure humus of high nutritional value, are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, magnesium and calcium. In the second strata, specific microbes convert the top
layer's cut up materials into nutrient solutions available to plants. Given the restricted
size of gardens in Stoke Newington and the general challenge in allocating space and
dedication to compost making, it would be a mistake not to take advantage of the natural
decay process and use fallen leaves to protect the ground and encourage a rich soil life.
This approach however should not mean that the garden is totally abandoned to itself after
the first Autumn rains. Some form of selectivity in the type of material which is allowed
to remain on the ground must be applied in small gardens, in order to protect the more
vulnerable plants it might contain. In the early part of the season diseased material
(such as rose leaves, which harbour black spot and rust) should be removed, as well as
accumulations of wet leaves around the base of plants, particularly tender ones. After the
surge of growth in the warmer months, some of the slower growing plants (many evergreens)
might need to be rescued by light pruning of faster growing neighbours (herbaceous,
annuals, quick growing short lived shrubs like lavatera).
If local trees have small leaves (such as birch, cherry, alder, hawthorn, apple, oak),
they can just be left to cover the ground in between plants. In the case of big leaves
with thick stems, such as chestnuts, sycamores and ashes, which take a long time to decay
and can smother small plants, it is best to collect them in punctured polythene sacks
(leaves should be wet when bagged) and then spread the partly rotted compost a year later.
If there are no trees in your garden, leaves can always be collected in the street.
Luisa Ferrari is a garden designer and consultant. She is the London correspondent of
the Italian gardening magazine Giardini and can be contacted on 020 7249 6762
Tasting the Takeaways
by Ethel Minogue
Have you ever feared that one day your hallway will be so covered in flyers and menus
from takeaway establishments that it will be impossible to open the door? We decided to
plough through the heap of flyers and try three restaurants that deliver locally.
Pizza - Kansas Pizza - based in Stoke Newington High Street, opposite the
police station.
Delivers 7 days a week within a 2 mile radius until 1 am Friday and Saturdays. They also
do lasagnes, ribs, salads and desserts. We tried Vegetarian Pizza which came with a nice
crisp light crust and a very generous topping of tomato, leeks, aubergines, asparagus,
artichokes and cheese. The Florentina - cheese, tomato, spinach, egg, parmesan and olives.
The pizzas arrived piping hot in less than 30 minutes. Two pizzas, coleslaw and mixed
salad cost £10.50. Tel. 020 7254 5000. Minimum order £5.00.
Indian - Suruchi - 82 Mildmay Park, Newington Green.
Among the bewildering amount of Indian takeaway menus it's good to know that the Suruchi,
by Newington Green, one of the best Indian restaurants in the area, also delivers within 2
miles.
The menu is definitely a cut above the standard Indian takeaway, particularly the
vegetarian dishes. These include dosa and bel pooris as well as the normal Indian
vegetable dishes. It is also good to find a decent selection of starters and steamed
chicken or duck cooked on the bone with Hyderabadi spices, masala dosa, vegetables, rice
and delicious onion kulcha (stuffed bread). It arrived in good nick and cost £ 18.00. One
of the most attractive aspects of the restaurant which we shall visit at a later date - is
the secluded patio garden at the back. Tel. 020 72415213. Minimum order £10.00.
Vietnamese - Tin Phat - 70 Stoke Newington High Street.
Delivery within 2 Miles, Monday-Saturday 12 noon-2.30 pm 6pm-1.30 pm, Sunday 6pm11.30pm
In the light of the popularity of Thai and Chinese restaurants, it is surprising how few
Vietnamese restaurants there are in London, and a mere handful are any good. Vietnamese
food is similar to Chinese but has a lighter touch, and revels in the use of fresh mint,
basil, and lemongrass, which lends clear, sharp flavours to the dishes that can be rather
lacking in Chinese food.
The takeaway menu has the usual choice of popular Chinese food plus an interesting
selection of authentic Vietnamese dishes including Mon Lau - soup in fire hot pot which
needs to be ordered one day in advance.
Appetisers to try are squid cakes £3.00, Vietnamese spring rolls £2.50, sizzling lamb
with ginger and leek, £2.80, stir fried scallops with mange tout £5.80.
The order was delivered within 25 minutes and cost £2 1.00 and the two tasters agreed
that the restaurant would be worth a visit.
Tel 020 7254 1950. Minimum order £10.00
High Fibre
by Saskia Little-Brown
Imagine life, if you can, as a roll of georgette fabric.
You start life in Holland, a bad inauspiciously, as a stiff, unappealing and rather
scratchy piece of work. A bit like the Dutch football team, in fact. On a brief visit to
Austria, you find yourself deliciously embroidered - only to arrive rolled up at the Stoke
Newington studio of young Kate Clarkson. Where your troubles really start.
First you're washed at ludicrously high temperatures until your warp is a stranger to your
woof and you're shrunk, Oh, the indignity. Then you're cut on the cross, dyed by hand,
softened, and washed again until you're pleading for mercy. Torture.
But, as all girls know, the hard work is worth it. Because by now, you're soft, floaty,
tactile and very pretty. And Welsh-born Kate - who did her design training at Harrow, and
moved into the Chocolate Factory in Farleigh Road at the beginning of the year, where she
works happily if a little incongruously amongst the horny-handed potters, sculptors,
painters and other artists in the converted sweetie building in N16 - knows exactly how to
complete your transformation from gawky to gorgeous.
In her hands, you're more than putty you're high-fun fashion, shaped into tea dresses,
skirts and delicate tops, in more colours than your average rainbow needs. You aren't
cheap - Kate produces exclusive ranges for a small number of VERY hi-tone retailers,
including the Cross in Holland Park, Matches in Wimbledon and Richmond and Koh Samui in
Knightsbridge and Covent Garden - but twice a year, you make yourself available at
go-on-spoil-yourself discounts to the discerning citizens of Stoke Newington, when the
Chocolate Factory opens to the Public on the Hidden Art of Hackney open days.
Steal the money if you have to, or put it on someone else's plastic if you must, but call
in on Kate if you can. And if you can't make the open days, make an appointment instead:
Kate undertakes commissions and offers private fittings at the factory by arrangement.
Kate Clarkson, Unit G5, The Chocolate Factory, Farleigh Place, Stoke Newington London
N16 7SX, tel. 020 76904140.
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