Erewash Borough Council workers have resumed making garden waste collections as of late February, as brown bins revert back from being used for extra recycling during winter.
The fortnightly pick-ups began again from Monday 19th February around Ilkeston and the north – and from Monday 26th February in Long Eaton and neighbouring districts.
The period between late February and the end of March means there will be three free collections before the authority reluctantly introduces charges from Monday 1st April.
Although it is still Winter, the authority has come up a list of ideas for jobs to keep green-fingered residents busy.
1. PRUNE YOUR ROSES. This can be done in January and February before new leaves start emerging. Remove any dead, damaged or diseased stems.
2. PLANT BARE-ROOT FRUIT TREES AND BUSHES before March. Also prune apple and pear trees, gooseberries and currant bushes.
3. MOVE TENDER PLANTS IN POTS into shelter or cover with fleece, hessian or straw. Ensure roots are not waterlogged.
4. TIDY UP HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS – but not too much. Leave some dry stems as a winter habitat for insects.
5. FEED THE BIRDS – and don’t forget to keep water ice-free for them. You could also make a “bug hotel” out of wood and sticks for insects that are vital to a healthy garden.
6. CLEAN GREENHOUSES and get pots all ready for spring.
7. CHECK OUTSIDE TAPS are drained and isolated to prevent frost bursting pipes. Replace damaged insulation on exposed pipes – and instal a tap cover.
8. PLAN FOR SPRING. Maybe start a diary of when plants need to be sown – and get your seed orders in now.
9. While indoors TEND YOUR HOUSEPLANTS – these are easily dried out by central heating.
Finally, the number 10 top tip is to sign up in advance for the early bird discount on garden waste collections – saving more than a third on the new fee, cutting the £32 cost of getting your brown bins emptied to just £20 in the first year. The offer, available for on-line sign ups with a payment card, expires on March 31st.
Councillor Joel Bryan, Erewash Borough Council Lead for the Environment, said: "More and more local authorities are now having to charge for picking up garden waste – and it is a shame that we have now had to copy them.
“But we have kept the fee far lower than that charged in many other areas – and with the early bird discount for residents subscribing online you can get a big saving. The £20 offer is available until March 31 – so hurry. We really want local people to save money by signing up.”
For more info, including discounts for extra brown bins, visit the council’s website.
More tips for winter gardening can be found here:
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