General Gardening Discussion

Clematis have always been a mystery to me, they seem to thrive or die, or just hang on and look awful. Just saying

I think that's the best action, nothing to lose really. Thanks .

RHS pruning advice for forsythia. Prune in mid-spring, immediately after flowering – avoid pruning later in the year, as the following spring’s flowers will be reduced. Annual pruning keeps plants healthy, shapely and within bounds:Cut back flowered growth to vigorous upward- and...

Thanks. I think I had read that bit about planting out while small, as brooms resent transplanting. Which is why I am considering getting a very big pot for it and in the first summer adding some annual flowers that get cut back at the end of the summer. Rather than transplanting it into only...

Thanks all, they were looking to growing them next year as its cost them so much this year with all their hanging baskets.Did not realise certain types were not sold as seeds ?We have overwintered some good trailers, not sure if they are Surfinias, but do not really want the same ones each...

Give the top parts the scratch test, just scrape the bark and see if its green underneath, if it brown then that part is dead. I think you might have some dieback there.Dont do it yet but later in summer you can cut back any dead stuff to the parts that are still alive.

Thanks to all of you for your replies. Andy.

I think you've made a good decision Michael, it would be such a shame to lose any.

Here are mine ... Figaro first then the Bambino. I guess they'll be OK. Yours look rather better however!!

There is no definition of 'manure' so I guess it could be anything from 'fresh' manure straight from the cow to 'well rotted' which is safe for most plants. So to remain in control it's safer to use measured amounts of chemical fertilisers.

Mrs Cholmondeley

Hello! I'm after recommendations. I've got a very narrow strip of gravel at the edge of some decking. The neighbours fence replacement was a slimmer construction so I gained a couple of inches. Any recommendations for little plants that seed in gravel (like Erigeron would), but the catch being...

The rose thing is something a bit different. Roses are mostly grafted plants, which means the roots are a different plant to the top growth, both are roses but the rootstock is usually similar to a wild rose and the top part is grafted onto it.What can happen is a strong shoot arises from the...

Nowadays I only use a border fork as it fits in between plants better and is much lighter so not as much of a strain on the back. I would go for a polished stainless steel one because it doesn't clog very easily with with mud. An angled D shaped handle makes the digging easier.With all...

Best time to do it? Later on in the year after the birds have left their nests.

Apologies, I must have alerts turned off or something, never saw these replies. Yes, I have them as ground cover in a reasonably big flowerbed. I ended up just leaving them and they’re starting to flower now, still leggy but plenty of buds growing

I've tried making contact to no avail and their list on site does not include the plant. thanks for checking

@Loofah I must admit I have 2 of them either side of the terrace by the sitting room, and 3 more ugly ones taking water from the glasshouse where they are less obvious. Around here you can buy big plastic drums and IBC from farmers very cheap. I am thinking of getting an IBC and windscreen...

I've noticed foxes have chewed my watering cans, (plastic) on the allotment, I have a few scattered around. I wonder if they are trying to get water in dry periods.Maybe lay out some clean water for them in bowls.But if its cubs doing it its probably just a game to them.

Hi everyone, this year has been about trying out old seed and growing plants I've never grown before one being gladioli. I planted 20 bulbs in a raised bed in a carefully worked out pattern and from what I'm seeing I'm presuming they wander a bit, is that right?