General Gardening Discussion

The weed killer I used killed off one of newly planted Dahlias but I've got a new hand fork today which has made digging back the bindweed to my neighbours fence really easy.

Hessian backed carpets are ideal Ruth, tho' a tad hard to find nowadays. Carol Klein swears by em, as do most allotmenteers- i.e. they're so heavy when wet that they're not likely to go missing.My grandfather used to grow his spuds through old carpet.

Hi guys, I use S.B.K. I've managed to clear 3 gardens that I work in of both G.E. and bindweed, using it. I either use it as aspray or paint it on. When its in the lawns I use Verdone but it does take several applications. All the best.

I'm probably speaking out of turn here, TO, Dicksonias prefer shade to sun?I think I've completely lost the plot here.

Nails and glass do make plunging ones hands into the soil a rather dangerous pastime. We have the same trouble and gloves are essential!

What about growing some of the grasses that trail over such as Stipa arundinacia or Dierama. Of course this depends on your soil around the pond. I guess with it being in full sun it would be dry to medium soil. Please correct me if I am wrong. If I can think of any others I will post them again.

Wow Scotkat, they haven half come on this last week or two! MEF750

:D

Ace thanks very much for your help.

Jon looks like the shrubs and trees are taking the moisture out of the ground you may be better redefining the edge of the grass cut it back and cut any encroaching roots, if you then keep this area dug over it will stop the roots invading again

I hung some cd's from my runner bean canes to scare the birds - which is working a treat.As a bonus - I've not seen a cat in the garden since then, maybe they dont like the reflection either ?

It's the Brahea Armata Pete, it came through the winter ok as the Washy did. In fact they did better than the Phoenix which had some scorch from the gales we had earlier on. The Cordyline is a recent addition, always fancied the variegated one.

I find them very invasive. The flowers are pretty, but there is so much foliage and it stays so long that it crowds out other plants if its in a border.

:D :D :D

Windy you are lucky, in Cornwall you should be OK putting things out now. Things like fuschias, petunias, busy lizzy could all catch late frosts. If you have a greenhouse you can keep them there, or you can rush out with some fleece and cover them if frost is forecast. Some of my basket plants...

hi guys have added the weekly updated for you all to view, let me know any commentsAPril week 2 lottieblogs team

Mines full I keep forgetting to use it cos it's hidden behind the shed! should empty it really and give it a clean. I have watered the garden but with the hose the other night it's quicker!! we don't usualy get hose pipe bans here in the North West.

I find a pencil very useful for helping disentangle the roots of tiny seedlings. Sometimes you can use the tip to lift the seedlings to the tray and use either end to gently firm the compost over the roots. Easier than using fingers. Usually I gently hold the leaf between two fingers and rather...

I found a cucumber seed had germinated at the bottom of a bucket which had a handful of compost, damp fibre pots thrown on top and various other bits of garden rubbish on top of that. It must have been there for at least 6 weeks, outside in the cold (including the March snow) and in almost...

Thanks Hyla but our Lidl's only has half of what is advertised, I might have a look anyway.