General Gardening Discussion

Hi reddolphin (Why the name?) If you dont want to get rid of the concrete that leaves you with container gardening. Dont worry you can get great results. For your choice of plants id check out a good garden centre and ask the staff for advice. Sorry i dont know any in your area but im sure...

hi LesH, thanks for that - unfortunately I have only just read this......my arms are already shredded!!! I gave the blackberry a serious pruning, and mamaged to half fill a wheelie bin with it!cheerssue

After hearing about osmogro on the radio, I bought it from my local Dobbies garden centre. It seems to work using a gel membrane that prevents flooding but allows enough water to pass from a reservoir to the plant pot. So far I have tried it with a begonia, a chysanthemum and parsley and after...

Hi Plant Killer I garden on really dry sandy soil, and also started out with containers. Look for plants with silvery foliage, hairy foliage and reduced leaves (all water retaining, wind resistant characteristics). Good ones are Stachys lanata (Lambs ears), Artemisia, Convulvulus cneorum, If...

Yes, as long as they don't eat my plants, I don't care. Copper matting from DIY outlets good too - keep the b****rs really jangling...

Try Barnsdale Gardens, Geoff Hamiltons old garden. They do tours etc, and there are several nice B & Bs nearby. Contact Leics/Rutland Tourist board or , I think, they may have their own website. Or by 'phone.Good luck, hope your mum has a nice birthdayBayleaf

One ammusing story (or not so for the chap concerned)that was in Garden news about someone who saved rainwater in a garden tub especially for watering his acid loving plants..until he noticed many of them looking sickly with pale yellowing leaves..this had him puzzled for a few weeks until he...

thanks - i'll not go to the gym over the weekend and i'll ask the wife to put some beers in the fridge for when i've finished !

thanks for the info

I remember watching a garden programme, I think it was 'a year at kew' where they were dealing with mares tail and they stamped up and down on it before spraying with herbicide, to bruise the stems so that the herbicide could penetrate better. The series is being repeated on BBC 1 on fridays at...

Thank you Basse and Pete for your prompt response to my question, Will be out there tomorrow weather permitting with heavt duty gloves and cutting inpliments. I take it this is the right time to cut it back. Many thanks Vee

For good summer colour with very little risk have you tried annual flower seeds? Just follow the instructions on the back of the packet and you cant really go wrong. The only tip i have is to make sure you sow in lines (they can be wiggly if you like)as this makes it easier to identify the...

Turl I was referring to the buds on mine, but they look OK. Dont worry about the grem.

Thanks so much - I've always though LOL meant lots of love...! that would explain - oh well...

Try planting camomile, this should grow there, and i t will smell nice to

I was going to say, Revin that discipline the the key word I have trouble with & when I read further down you post, I see that you also do the same thing. Obviously keen gardeners are alll the same, we just can't resist a stunning plant!

What weekend are you thinking of and where abouts is the nursing home? I may be able to help depending on where\when. lisa

yes, a lovely idea, but i have 4 year old twin boys who love playing football, so i fear any flowers will end up squashed! would be nice though! sue

Thanks Revin. I'll take the appropriate action!

hey janie, there is a reclaimed timber yard just over the hill from me - on manor lane, sheffield - you could perhaps get some old sleepers and build up your raised beds that way. You could do what we are doing and do/buy a bit each week/fortnight/month? havent priced up old sleepers but i think...