General Gardening Discussion

A figure of 6.5 is generally quoted as the best pH for soil, simple because most plants are happy there. I do not think that you have any probem at 6. Even if your pH was further from the optimum I would still not do anything. It is easier to select the plants to suit the soil rather than...

By the way,if anyone wants a planter, I have the goods if you have the carriage!... :D

Squirrels?

There are two types of heather, Spring flowering and Autumn flowering, Spring ones are ok in lime, others like acid.Its great to see you so keen, but take your time, these plants are a huge investment, not only in money but growing time and nurture time.dig your bed well do your homework...

The chives should be okay outside now..as they are very hardy...you will soon have them multiplying ..and end up like me with them everywhere..

Liz - a quote from another site :-The Temporary Hosepipe Ban provisions of the Water Industry Act 1991 specify only that the use of a hosepipe connected to the mains supply can be restricted. It is perfectly legal to connect a hosepipe to any reservoir such as a water butt.

Go ahead Taffy. I have found the best way to learn is just to get stuck in. Mind you no cheating now - no taking an exotic bloom and carefully tying it to a different set of leaves. :DWhich reminds me of some friends, who has a silver wedding recently. Their children gave them a pair of...

Just been and tied 'em to the supports every nine inches :D :D

Thanks Tortuosa,I think I will take the flower buds off and hope for some quicker growth. The whole plant is getting ready to burst into life,I will try and get a pic when it does.

I've found the best way to divide them is to dig up a clump and drop it in the bin.

THanks guys - you just put a name to my most favourite plant in my garden!!! Doesn't go when it gets started!!

I grow verbena venosa every year (about 500-1200 for the parks obviously) I have never given them any cold treatment only because I have never seen or read any advice on the subject. Half of the seed comes up in 2/3 weeks and the rest 2/3 weeks later ... very annoying trying to prick out half a...

No MF, I haven't turned it yet. It's been in for about a month now - I'll give it a dig over this weekend - another job on the ever-increasing Bank Holiday list..!

thanks everyone - big help.

well waco you unmade the day you made the other day but thanks for the tips.might get john brook books at the library.thanks honey bee for your ideas, sounds good, cant wait to get started.cheers.

A varient on painting it on is to put a bit of Roundup, which I think contains the chemical Glyphosphate, in a polythene bag, push the leaves into the bag and seal it up with sellotape. That way the plant is in contact with the weedkiller for a long period.The reason for suggesting Roundup or...

this winter I was confined to quarters, so I had nothing better to do, but my great joy was to get fat from butchers render it down, mix it with wild bird seed and hang it in apple tree - oh the tits and woodpeckers saved me from depression all winter!not that we don't have loads of berryies...

Ouu err Nice South face - Wisteria, roses, clematis honeysuckle. You could underplant with lavender, a few verbascums if its dry soil, nerines against the wall. where abouts in North Yorks are you?As to your shadey area, is it all in containers? I used to hate my shady areas but now I have my...

Mine vary from 1 ft. high in the conservatory to nothing (also in conservatory) - seems to depend on variety. Picasso is just shooting but Brilliant is well away. The ones which I left outside show no sign of growth as yet.All are well watered and feeding started last week.

I will have a go at these names ?Armandii and cirhoco that I have in shade.