SPRING is in the air so - if you haven't already done so - it's time to get the mower out and start cutting the grass.

If you haven't any grass but are planning to lay a new green sward then here is an idea for you to try.

Despite the fact that rotary mowers don't produce those wonderful contrasting stripes that the old cylinder mowers used to produce, all is not lost.

One firm has brought out a grass seed in two contrasting shades.

All you have to do is to mark out your new lawn in lines, spirals or chess board pattern sow the contrasting seed in the appropriate place and hey presto.

The light and dark contrast persists no matter how long or short the grass.

Usually our grass cuttings end up on the compost heap and that's fine.

However, not everything can apparently be dispensed there.

A new EU directive has deemed it illegal to compost tea bags.

Apparently it is due to the fact that they may be contaminated by milk, which of course is an animal product.

Animal products, as well as kitchen waste, are now banned but happily only from municipal and commercial compost heaps.

Home composting at the present is still legal.

Compost heaps often, of course, are hiding places for slugs - the arch enemy of the gardener.

Despite the fact that recent surveys have shown a reduced danger to birds from the use of slug pellets, many gardeners prefer to use an alternative, organic method.

The good news is that a new eco-friendly slug repellent has been developed. 'Slug it out' is made from woodchip and myrrh resin - and obviously used by 'wise men'.