Garden Projects and DIY

Hello Jordan, before you plant a rose, have you decided whether it's to be a bush or a trained climbing one? If the latter, you need to get some strong garden wire in place on the fence (2 or 3 horizontal wires about 30cm apart) so you can tie the long stems to them and the rose will flower all...

I've found when using SBK that it often works better when the plant is in growth, although autumn/winter is the recommended time, as @CarolineL states. I've used it for blackthorn stumps, and that worked far better than using it when they were dormant. I can't say if it would be suitable for...

If you want area for veg, consider constructing raised bed(s) across the slope as terraces, aim to get average of 250-350mm soil depth, cut the turf and use to form lower edge as if a wall.Drive chestnut stakes (40mm dia) to 'nail' it in place. You will be able to introduce (good )topsoil and...

Hi,Yes it's important never to give up and stop doing things in retirement @Bluejayway Too many only have their jobs at work in their life spending a lifetime doing it but have nothing else of interest like a hobby; they don't usually last long.Many thanks @CarolineL for your kind words;...

Very kind of you all, thank you My aching limbs from doing all sorts of stuff recently means I'm no longer able to go and do anything for other people @Plantminded .... I'm not very good at 'just gardening' as such. Always need a project! The current rebuilding of shed is a bit of a drag...

I'd probably grass the larger part of it leaving a circular area under the tree. Maybe plant that up with hardy cyclamen, blue bells and spring bulbs.I can't think of much that is likely to grow under the tree during the summer months, so probably a layer of bark just so it still looks tidy...

You might like to check establishments such as Gallery — Stratford Butterfly Farm Maybe they would be willing to share some of their secrets? PS And they do sell pupae.

I would keep it. It looks healthy, and you might find it difficult to get something else established in the shade of the neighbour's tree (possibly in the root zone of the tree as well).

We've got brushed concrete on the 280m2 terrace and reconstituted concrete slabs around the pool area. The concrete has steadily been acquiring black lichen spots and nothing short of an atomic bomb will shift them. The slabs are more resistant, being smoother, and an annual pressure-wash...

Thank you everyone for your kind and welcome thoughts, they're much appreciated. This move was a decision that had to be made with the head and not the heart. I sat on the back doorstep a few weeks ago looking out over the valley and gave myself a talking too. That done I'm now ready to leave...

Thanks @ricky101, that flooring looks interesting, I'll have another look tomorrow and measure up the space.@amancalledgeorge, it was Liberon Anti-slip coating from memory, but there were others.

This is what I would do as well. It can be done quickly and without too much effort.

You will have noticed that I did not recommend this process, merely mentioned the legend. As the OP, like too many posters, does not give his location, it would be unreasonable to encourage him to investigate the possible truth. However, for those of an enquiring mind, I refer you to...

It's also what else you can do that you perhaps may just make do with. We put together a couple of raised beds with larger timber than we perhaps would have used or would have used brackets for, whereas the SDS put in coach bolts all sides in minutes. Granted they can be expensive, but you can...

Oh great, I can get them all in the one place - thank you

Cockle shell paths were mentioned in the last episode of Gardeners’ World @Butterfly6, made popular by Derek Jarman’s garden at Dungeness.

You can enjoy today and look forward to spring. Gardening is a long game.

So, in the theme of the only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing... I got doing some of the thing.1. I bought some slab/stepping stones. I have a 3month year old baby. So I want to create a little garden area. So the plan is..I'm going to create a little path. I've bought some...

It's weird that the woodruff is quite happy on one side of the garden but not the other. I've tried to transplant some before and it wasn't happy.Since my last post I have dug up most of the dandelions and alchemilla molis, and made a horrible muddy mess in the process. I'm thinking about...

I haven't cemented in my brick border edges....which is just as well as I've moved them three times to increase the size of the borders....and can't rule out doing it again! They're just set on firmed soil, fine as long as you don't lean on them!