General Gardening Discussion

Yes it's a bit late now, they need long nights (12 hrs +) from about the end of September, temperature in the 60s F. draught free. What a nightmare to grow! You've done well to keep it healthy from last year. Buy a new one or better still, buy a Holly bush this year.

Steve Yes, there are a lot of them about :D La Marina is nearby. We are 50KM south of Alicante, and 5KM south of Torrevieja. Here is a map from Google Earth. The nearest beach is at La Zenia.As you can see we are just into the rough :D :D

Hi Billily, As far as I know, they are self fertile, in other words, they will form berries without you doing anything. One thing I notice is your in Folkestone, is it a bit chalky down there? Reason I ask is that Gaultheria is a lime hater, and it needs an acid soil.

They look a bit like daffs to me, but not big enough to flower. Looks like you've got them under cover which could explain them being a bit early.

Thanks Fran - no one has heard of peppermint mulch! LOL I think it is an island thing ...

Most plant that we buy these days seem to be grown under ideal, but totally unnatural conditions. Therefore even something as hardy as primroses seem to need hardening off, to out door conditions. I'm only guessing but I reckon the yellowing of the leaves is due to the shock of being exposed to...

Thanks for your information, Liz.Jez

Yes indeedy - they should produce occassional flowers all winter til the main display in spring - though wet may set set them backThat reminds me I need to find some more primroses (primular vulgaris) as my stock is running low, and I love them.One of the signs of spring in near by Milton...

Thanks, Liz, for the information. It's OK, then - I've only wrapped round the sides of the pots. Top has a layer of vermiculite and base is off the ground on bricks.Looks like I can stop worrying!

You're not growing Lithops, are you ?Nathan.

Thanks for your advice Fran Kev

hmmm. I think I will have to wait until next year and buy them from the garden centre or online.Thankyou so much for clarified that for me guys!

If the lawn has been neglected you could have a leatherjacket problem. A bit late to do much about them this time of year.To help the general health of your lawn, scarify any dead thatch and moss out of it before winter and if your soil is heavy and the lawn compacted you could try hollow tine...

I can't wait to put some pictures on the site and I have taken a couple of my pond I will try to get them on as soon as poss. I think I am getting a digital camera for xmas I've dropped enough hints.A little bit of practice and who knows. I have got a few ferns and Hostas in and I have planted a...

Thanks Pete, will ask next Spring

Forsythia flowers on the wood it grew this Summer, so one tends to prune it after flowering to make room for the new growths. However, if the bush is overgrown flowering would be reduced anyway, so pruning now would not be a problem. Aim to remove about a third of the oldest branches. That way...

Tragedy! Finally got around to using this tater only to find it has a big cavity in the middle! It was clean and dry and a little bit powdery looking so I didn't use it. Any suggestions what it was and could I have eaten it anyway?I'm so disappointed!

Thanks Fran - enjoying Phil Harris BTW? (nudge, nudge, wink, wink!) [ 31. October 2005, 11:54 PM: Message edited by: michaelmasdaisy ]

Welcome to GC, Norman - nice to have you on board!

Many thanks for your suggestions. Will look into them, esp the Rowan and whitebeam and the crab apple ... and the corkscrew hazel also. Sounds interesting. The laburnaum not, both because it is poisonous and because it is golden (over the years I have discovered that the best thing for stress...