Pests, Diseases and Cures

Planted 3 types of raspberries this year and had a small crop, late variety did quite well. Have recently noted that the underside of the leaves are covered in small brownish black dots. It looks a little like tiny eggs but if you rub your thumb across them you can't feel anything and it...

Dont think I would be too bothered right now. Once we get a hard frost the top growth will die for the winter anyway.Now if this was happening in spring it would be a very different kettle of fish.

I'd leave the old stem alone, it will sprout new growth when it ready, it could take a few months at this time of the year. In the meantime be careful not to over water, it will require very little and is probably best kept a bit dry.As to the cutting, I betting its not rooted yet, new...

I planted my Irish Yew (Scottish Borders) in July. It started changing colour at the end of September and is now almost completely red. Can't think that it's down to drought as where it's planted gets water run off from rest of garden. Doesn't seem to be dying, fingers crossed.

Hi everyone.... Yuk! I know that they tend to be found more in lawns but at 1-2cm long sounds more like leatherjackets, maybe? If they are you can buy some nematode stuff from one of the organic gardening suppliers - try www.buzzorganics.co.uk - which I've used in the past and seems to work a...

Great, thanks guys. Am pleased to know that I'm not losing it!

OOOOOooooooo! wild boar seem to be all over the place!!

Thanks everyone, it is a bit unsightly but will probably leave it alone. My wife's more concerned than me.CheersBrian

I have the same problem on my Brussels. I think that it's the sticky muck created by the flies and it gets fungised.stony

Thanks for this. They seem to be doing better now, with new growth, and it doesn't seem to be spreading as I had first feared. So, I think it probably was mainly due to underwatering, and maybe a bit of leaf spot too.

I tried growing leeks for the first time this year and had no problems, so I'm sorry to hear about the problems with onion flies. Maybe because my veggie patch is new (two seasons old), the pests haven't found out about it yet! Anyway, I have eaten all the leeks I grew, so I'll be sure to grow...

I know box is native, but as far as I know its only native down south.Not sure it enjoys coastal conditions.Having said that, box blight is an up an coming problem.OK a bit negative but being realistic

@ Clueless - you're a Gentleman and a SKOLor. :thumb: :hehe: With sincere regards, V_B 0)

Hi. Thanks for the reply, sorry I didn't come back sooner (been away on hols). As it's a climbing rose only in it's first year, I won't be pruning, but otherwise I'll follow your advice. Cheers...freddy.

Hi Kathy, I'll check out the name of the plant and see if I can get a photo, thanks x

I will be giving that a shot next year. I'll check those areas in May, and then end May etc. Fingers crossed.

Well, the damage looks more like slug or snail attack to me but I wouldn't rule out vine weevil. It might be worth a quick inspection after dark with a torch to see if you can spot the culprit.If it's slugs or snails, you have a wide choice of solutions.If it's vine weevil, Provado make...

I visited Hampton Court yesterday, my favourite historical place in the south of England, and took a couple of guided tours around the gardens which were looking fabulous for the time of year. Our guide was a charming lady who has the main responsibility for looking after the famous Great Vine...

I've lost a purple Sedum to slugs before, but never the green leaved variety.

Next year think about investing in butterfly netting or even better some enviromesh either will keep the blighters off and the latter will keep greenfly and aphids off too.