General Gardening Discussion

Thankyou @Escarpment , that is interesting to know.

Thank you all. Z

There's a globosa growing along with a davidii [ tucked in behind the latter ] in the common ground outside a block of flats not far from me @Plantminded . Just a mixed border against the outer wall and a stretch of grass. I thought of taking some cuttings as the maintenance lads just shear...

That reminds me on the end 80's when we were able to buy dates. It didn't take long and we let them germinate, including me. I had the pots on the heating, which works 100% (as yours). Some of the smart ones offered them for sale when they were tiny. What I learned quickly with my own attempts...

Take it with you Central London November 19th 11am Tubes may be working, roads not so much ? May see you there......

When they get back into growth @On the Levels , that's the ideal time for cuttings. You can usually just pull off a nice green bit off, and there'll be a 'heel' on it, which makes it easier for establishment. Those are easy to grow on. You can also lift and divide the tubers as they get bigger,...

I will try to remember you noisette 47 next time I am having a clear out. I think I might try burying the small bulbs under the new ones to grow on. Not something I have ever tried before.

There are many permutations of potential options for SFI ; according to soil type and rotations etc. Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme: expanded offer for 2024

The other option is to remove some of the long growth but keep some and train it. We have an enormous specimen on the front of our house and it goes wild where it doesn't matter but where we need to get passed, or want more control, we have trained it so that it stays flat. It's easy to do by...

THANK YOU for that!! Oddly, it sort of makes sense, our French teacher was Polish (or Ukrainian) and perhaps told us the story, as it were, ex-curriculum. Clearly, somewhat adapted from the original: How Much Land Does a Man Need? - WikipediaHe had a strong accent but, to our great chagrin and...

My compost is always wet, and colder, but if you add plenty of 'browns' that will help - cardboard, paper etc. If you can turn it reasonably regularly , that also helps with keeping it aerated better, which means it's less prone to becoming solid, and will break down a bit more quickly. Mine...

I used to put a layer of netting or mesh with soil back on top for small bulbs in borders, but it's then a problem if you want to add something else there, so I just accept that I might lose some, no matter what I do. Squirrels will have a go on a regular basis. I use it [mesh/net] for pots...

They will be fine in this mild spell. Most of mine are flowering like there's no tomorrow here!

Thats about the size of a doubles tennis court. Unless thats your aim I would work on seperate areas to provide an area for ball games, an area for dog purposes, perhaps a trampoline/swing/rope climbing/wendy house/small pet area etc. Consider a weatherproof walkway to link these and maybe...

I've planted lots of roses in my garden in France and I don't use mycorrhizal fungi because they don't sell it anywhere near me. I dig a large hole and mix in a lot of compost, as I have heavy clay, and blood and bone, French version doesn't have fish. I bury the graft. I've had good results.

Yes - a sibirica or an ensata Iris - both are ideal for the side of a pond. Ensata is a water Iris, so is also ideal if it's very wet. Many varieties of both types though. Libertia is a good shout, although I find L. grandiflora a but dull. There are gold varieties, but they can be hard to keep...

Blimey! Once a Wisteria gets going, one is plenty. Having two or more is asking for Javidr to disappear without trace, strangled in his own personal jungle . Although the natural tendency of climbers is to twine upwards, the shoots of Wisteria are long and flexible enough to tie in to a support....

I never bothered with faffing with my hornbeam hedging. It just grew well, and I clipped it once a year, usually later on. When it was young, ie newly planted, I don't think I ever touched the top, I just let it thicken up and then topped it at the eventual desired height. Some of mine was in a...

There are lots of suppliers online who will still have bulbs @Javidr, but as said - you may be limited now if you wanted something specific, especially with hyacinths and tulips. You could look at F. Gracy, as mentioned, plus Nyssens, Avon, GeeTee and Broadleigh.I've often picked up bits and...