GROW YOUR OWN FOOD WITH DIRTY NAILS FEBRUARY, 4TH WEEK BOOSTING WINTER PURSLANE The winter purslane which Dirty Nails sowed towards the end of September has been producing masses of succulent leaves. He grew-on some of the seedlings outside under jam-jars. These are beginning to fill up their make-shift cloches but are still on the rather small side. However, a dozen were transplanted into pots and have been kept in the greenhouse. These plants have been growing with great gusto, their pickings complimenting many a meal and sandwich for the last two or three months. But they are to becoming a bit tired so Dirty Nails has been giving them a boost this week.

Dirty Nails has trimmed off the entire rosette of fleshy leaves and removed the plants from their pots. In all cases the roots were wound round the inside, clogging the bottom of the 6 inch (15 cm) pots. He has teased out some of the root-ball and popped each purslane plant into a plastic trough filled with refreshed soil. Given 4 inch (10 cm) spacings, they have been nestled snugly into their new growing medium.

Having placed these close shaven tufts of tight growth in the sunniest spot in the garden, Dirty Nails is expecting them to throw out abundant fresh new leaves soon.

IN PRAISE OF SYCAMORES Although the sycamore is dismissed by many as a weed tree, in fact it has many virtues and benefits to the environment. Grown as a specimen in a parkland or open setting, it reaches the highest echelons of tree beauty in respect of its shape and stature. Sycamore trees are vigorous growers all over Britain, robust and hardy. They can tolerate levels of air pollution in urban areas that would prove fatal to most other trees and are unaffected by salt-laden sea winds, which makes them ideal planting choices for exposed and coastal areas. In open country their dense canopies are much sought after by livestock as shade from the summer sun or shelter from rain. Wherever they are allowed to grow with space to develop unhindered, sycamores provide a wealth of associated insect life which in turn supports numerous bird species. Their seasonal early summer bounty of aphids is crucial for returning migrants who visit our shores to raise their young. After incredible journeys from all over the world, birds like swifts, house martins, and swallows, amongst others, depend on a glut of insects to replenish their energies.

Also known as the Great Plane, conventional wisdom states that sycamores were introduced to Britain from Continental Europe at least 400 years ago. However, this opinion is being questioned now. Differences in the fossilised pollen of field maples and sycamores are indistinguishable. Countries such as Denmark, for whom the sycamore was always thought of as an alien, have re-classified it as a native. Argument goes on in this country too, especially in the North, as to the true status of this tree.

The wood is easily worked and creamy-white with a fine grain that does not warp. It is ideal for furniture making, and traditionally used in the construction of stringed instruments. Formerly sycamore wood was widely utilised in kitchen and domestic settings as spoons and utensils, butter pats and worktops.

The leaves are large and glossy, unfolding to a bright green which dulls as summer passes to autumn. When shed, they are easily gathered by hand or machine. Except where collected by the polluted sides of busy main roads, they will provide a rich and crumbly leaf mould in twelve months or so which is perfect for enriching allotment soils, gardens and municipal beds.

Their seeds are the spinning ’helicopters’ which have fascinated generations of school children and are easy to grow. Potted into any decent soil, they will rapidly shoot up and produce their first set of leaves. The structure of this tree lends itself perfectly to the age-old custom of tree-climbing. In this respect, once beyond the vulnerable sapling stage sycamores become extremely popular with kids of all ages as one of nature’s finest climbing frames and for making dens and tree houses.

Leafless in wintertime, sycamores are far from lifeless. The flaking, fissured bark of old trees provides cosy nooks and crannies for spiders and invertebrates. Mixed flocks of insect-eating birds, tits, nuthatches, tree creepers and more, seek out these tasty morsels. They will work amongst the handsome network of branches to eke out a meagre ration. Where clean air prevails sycamores can become encrusted with tufts of lichen.

Hardy, vigorous, adaptable, tough, versatile. If sensitively and thoughtfully planted a sycamore can be a wonderful asset for a community. They may attain heights of 115 feet (35 metres) and live for 250 years, adding a fascinating arboreal dimension to any chosen environment. They cannot match the English oak when it comes to supporting wildlife, and the tulip tree offers far more in terms of colour variations as the seasons pass. But sycamores have their own outstanding qualities, some of which are described here. Dirty Nails wishes that this much maligned tree had a far more respected place amongst our towns, cities, coasts and countryside.

How to Grow Your Own Food by Dirty Nails (ISBN 9781905862115) is available from bookshops and www.dirtynails.co.uk priced £10.99.

Copyright, Dirty Nails February 2009