General Gardening Discussion

In case anyone was still wondering whether there was an alternative, ammonium sulphamate can still be purchased but was banned by the EU as a herbicide. Unlike sodium chlorate which is an oxidiser, ammonium sulphamate is also used as flame retardant.

I don't quite understand the question its still morning I've not awoken yet, are you after upright / vertical shrubs or perennials ?

Used all the above (and others) for various purposes. CORNISH GRIT not the same. Think it rougher mix of a bone clay by product, containing mix of GRIT sizes AND a scattering of very fine clay particles which enrich composts with additional usable minerals.

I have never bothered to use any sand or grit in the beds and leave the plants to fend for themselves - which they do very easily. Admittedly, over the years the placing of garden compost/leaf mould has certainly improved the quality of the soil.We have heavy clay solid and the only hard work...

New tulips I put into pots for a good display, when that's over I plant the bulbs somewhere in the garden to die back and leave them to it. Some good years, some not

Thats going to need a lot of thought to make it look attractive, as said , think you want to concentrate on some form of steps /entrance over that retaining wall. One way might be to cut an opening in that wall with a series of steps like in the pic below.For the area above the wall, can only...

Hi All. I normally have my cannas in pots but in 2020 I planted a few in back border. I decided to do an experiment. I decided rather than dig them up I covered them once cut down with 2 layers of fleece and a plastic bucket on top.I was a bit surprised that they survived the frost and grew...

From last year in December

It does look rather a dark corner. A lower-risk strategy would be a forsythia or a kerria japonica, both of which would also give you that late winter/ early spring blast of yellow. Both readily available, cheap and strong growers. Myself I'd plant them in the ground and hack them back hard...

@CanadianLori thanks. I'm counting down ha! Thank you @Victoria it's lovely to hear from you too.

I would plant them, you've got nothing to lose and they will probably do all right, unless they have rotted.

I've started my chilli seeds now.

Gardensuperstore has a good selection of big pots at reasonable prices. They have both utilitarian and decorative ones. I have a couple of decorative ones and the quality is quite impressive- very thick and sturdy.My outdoors 50cm pots are from Asda, about a fiver each 15 years ago. They are...

Ducksback usually works well for me. Avoid Wickes own brand, it's terrible

Thanks Noisette, Janet and Victoria I think it is insect damage, so I'll spray with soapy water from early spring. Never heard of the milky water method, may give that a go as well. Luckily we don't use these for cooking.

You could also consider Griselinia littoralis , a bright green leafed evergreen hedging plant.