General Gardening Discussion

Hi BrigidThe instructions on the packet should give you a good start for the particular variety, they are prone to damping off in a cold spell...do you have a propagator/greenhouse?

Dave, I have moved into a new house with a 625 sq mtr garden surrounded by 15 ft high conifers. Everywhere is lawn. At the moment I am cutting a large border (kidney shapes), and need advise on what kind of shrubs and trees to put in it. Can you give me names of possible plants , evergreens...

Buy yourself some mesh aquatic pots Kev, transfer the contents of your pots into them and then do as Pete suggests. In the Autumn lift the mesh pots and transfer the bulbs back, repotting in new compost. It works a treat as long as you remember where you plant the aquatic pots!

Russian Vine will cover the whole terrace given half a chance and and look like a massive dead birds nest in winter, although very attractive the rest of the time.Ivies are a massive subject,and I`ve made a few mistakes! Try IVIES by Peter Q. Rose.They need controlling.There are other climbers....

Kate, the honeysuckle should prune back okThe clematis depends on its type, one sort flowers on last seasons growth...so cutting this back might mean no flowers

Thanks. It is so beautiful I will give it a go!

Thanks for that Steve Bob

here's one methodhttp://www.homeandleisure.co.uk/_diy/how_to/gardering/gardening_35.shtml

Hi Traceyg When you say indoors do you mean in a greenhouse? I wouldn't pot them up in the house but a frost free greenhouse would probably be ok if your impatient. Ive not grown Liatris but I have grown Crocosmia and it should give you some flowers this year, although they do get better in...

With Leylandii and similar conifers you should not cut into brown wood as it will not regrow from this.However if it is only part of the hedge the green parts will continue to grow. Although it might look unsightly it will probably live, frequent light trimming is better.

Yeah i've grown some, Coum & Hederafolium, not bad, but I dont really have the right conditions for them.

Hi Del yes you can take cuttings of camelia, but I have never found it easy. But I believe some people do. I personally would buy another plant as they dont grow very fast. Unless you have a special plant which you want to propagate for some reason.

Thanks for the timely reply,as it happens the front of the house does face east and catches the sun from dawn to midday. Once again thank you.

Do you cut your heathers back after flowering to keep them compact? There is low maintenance and no maintenance!!Do you know your soil pH (acid or alkaline?) Different species of heathers like different soil types.

I have seen rock sculptures in various places eg country house gardens, chelsea flower show. The rocks/stones have a hole drilled through the middle and are then strung onto a steel rod for support. Don't know how you would do it yourself though as I would imagine you would need some pretty...

I think getting rid of your dogs is a bit drastic although I have two myself and the lawn never looks as good as I would like.

If you do use gravel make sure it is at least 20mm or cats will use it as a toilet. Save money by buying from a builders merchants rather than a garden centre.

If you pile it up in a corner somewhere the birds will take a lot of it for nest building in spring.

I would clean the faeces away, and keep it clear for a while before planting produce in that place. The fluffy substance is probably a bacteria of some kind.Nathan.

Lisa build a little frame to it sits in the pot this will help the new growth to be supported and if I was you don't be in a rush to put them out not before the end may, you will find by may they will have grown three foot or so. Dave