Gardening and the art of patience

[Mibbes Aye]

I was going to put this on the wildlife thread but realised it better suited a thread of its own.

Moved into a new house late last summer, had huge plans for the garden but obviously things changed.

Today, because the frost has lifted, we planted carrots and French beans. Runner beans, fennel, beetroot and parsnip to follow. I don’t actually like parsnip, at best I can take it in a curried soup.

So, hints, tips, learning, recommendations, answers to queries from other posters are all welcome.

We inherited a massive and flourishing rhubarb patch when we moved in. Obvious answer is lots of crumbles and maybe jams and chutneys. Any other ideas and more so, what plants work well around it? I know that some plants protect other plants and fruits from predators.

[Dalianwanda]

I was going to put this on the wildlife thread but realised it better suited a thread of its own.

Moved into a new house late last summer, had huge plans for the garden but obviously things changed.

Today, because the frost has lifted, we planted carrots and French beans. Runner beans, fennel, beetroot and parsnip to follow. I don’t actually like parsnip, at best I can take it in a curried soup.

So, hints, tips, learning, recommendations, answers to queries from other posters are all welcome.

We inherited a massive and flourishing rhubarb patch when we moved in. Obvious answer is lots of crumbles and maybe jams and chutneys. Any other ideas and more so, what plants work well around it? I know that some plants protect other plants and fruits from predators.

Ive nothing that grows down the way & only stuff that grows up the way that I can keep picking throughout the year...different kales & spinach..A learning for me was to stagger planting by a month, so I've something growing & available for a longer part of the year.

My other tip is dig in seaweed over the winter...My soil was crap before but three years of adding that has helped immensely....

[hibsbollah]

Plant onions next to the carrots. They’re the classic companion plant because the carrot fly that can decimate your crop avoids the onion smell. The other classic companion plant is geranium and roses, but the reason escapes me, probably aphids.

Runner beans are greedy feeders, if you can dig a trench and fill it in with manure/compost before planting. I do them on Wigwams of bamboo canes, they plants grow up to 2metres so the cane framework needs to be that tall.

[Mibbes Aye]

Ive nothing that grows down the way & only stuff that grows up the way that I can keep picking throughout the year...different kales & spinach..A learning for me was to stagger planting by a month, so I've something growing & available for a longer part of the year.

My other tip is dig in seaweed over the winter...My soil was crap before but three years of adding that has helped immensely....

I had read about the staggering, that is helpful. I take it you are talking about fresh seaweed, not dehydrated :greengrin

[G B Young]

I was going to put this on the wildlife thread but realised it better suited a thread of its own.

Moved into a new house late last summer, had huge plans for the garden but obviously things changed.

Today, because the frost has lifted, we planted carrots and French beans. Runner beans, fennel, beetroot and parsnip to follow. I don’t actually like parsnip, at best I can take it in a curried soup.

So, hints, tips, learning, recommendations, answers to queries from other posters are all welcome.

We inherited a massive and flourishing rhubarb patch when we moved in. Obvious answer is lots of crumbles and maybe jams and chutneys. Any other ideas and more so, what plants work well around it? I know that some plants protect other plants and fruits from predators.

Don't overdo it with fruits/vegetables you either don't really like or are unlikely to eat many of and focus on those you'll definitely make use of eg scale back on the rhubarb patch if you find you're not able to use it all. A pal of mine used to try and offload piles of courgettes on to us whenever we visited as they'd completely overdone it on the planting!

Brilliant if you can end up with a sustainable way of providing most of your own fruit and vegetables but be prepared for some trial and error.

[Mibbes Aye]

Plant onions next to the carrots. They’re the classic companion plant because the carrot fly that can decimate your crop avoids the onion smell. The other classic companion plant is geranium and roses, but the reason escapes me, probably aphids.

Runner beans are greedy feeders, if you can dig a trench and fill it in with manure/compost before planting. I do them on Wigwams of bamboo canes, they plants grow up to 2metres so the cane framework needs to be that tall.

Really helpful, thank you. Will plan around that.

I know mint flourishes easily and acts as an active in chasing things away but it becomes invasive in its own right. It’s something I would use on a fairly regularly basis for cooking, lots of pesto and spiced onions in the Mibbes household. Any advice from anybody in that is welcome. Maybe better for the cooking thread :greengrin

I am now intrigued about runner beans!

[hibsbollah]

Mint always in pots, otherwise you will never get rid of it from your beds.

[Mibbes Aye]

Don't overdo it with fruits/vegetables you either don't really like or are unlikely to eat many of and focus on those you'll definitely make use of eg scale back on the rhubarb patch if you find you're not able to use it all. A pal of mine used to try and offload piles of courgettes on to us whenever we visited as they'd completely overdone it on the planting!

Brilliant if you can end up with a sustainable way of providing most of your own fruit and vegetables but be prepared for some trial and error.

Thanks, trial and error seems to be the only approach!

I am prepared for gluts, moved in last summer and we had plum trees that were shedding them by the ton. It wasn’t the right time to deal with that! Now the rhubarb patch is massive and it feels like I should do something.

Some of this might sound like first world problems. My sister is a key worker and exposed to risk every day. I have colleagues who are exposed to risk everyday from trying to protect people.

Anyway, this thread isn’t about the virus or lockdown. It is about views, tips and advice about gardening - an art that I suspect is only mastered over time, with patience and a deep level of philosophical understanding :greengrin

[Mibbes Aye]

Beside
Mint always in pots, otherwise you will never get rid of it from your beds.

Sort of what I thought, wasn’t sure if they worked as a deterrent beside more vulnerable growths.

[danhibees1875]

I'll keep an eye on this, good thread idea! :aok:

I also moved into a new house late last summer and decided to wait before doing anything. No rhubarb though! Just a square of grass.

I'm currently thinking of having a corner for sitting in and then digging a border around the rest of the square to plant various plants and shrubs. I actually made an awful sketch of my idea earlier so this thread is well timed!

Hoping to have a little herb garden area - does anyone know if herbs will survive okay in a shady corner?

[G B Young]

Mint always in pots, otherwise you will never get rid of it from your beds.

And even then you can end up with more mint than you know what to do with and a potful of unpleasant tangled roots. We stopped growing mint, tho it's worth bearing in mind that you can chop and freeze a lot of herbs for seasoning.

[stu in nottingham]

There are quite a few crops that can be grown in containers for those with little or no open ground. I grow tomatoes in the summer and to do this I buy grow bags and empty the material into ten or twelve inch pots. Stick a cane in each pot and they can be moved to anywhere that's convenient.

Grow bags are pretty good for such as lettuce growing too. Cut eight holes in the top and plant a lettuce plant in each one. Especially good idea is to use the varieties of lettuce that can have leaves removed as and when you need them such as Lollo Rosso. You can buy a punnet of mixed young lettuce plants in garden centres.

I've even grown runner beans in grow bags and they were monstrous! Must have climbed to a height of 8/9 feet over a wire archway I slung together,

[goosano]

I've been growing fruit and veg for 15 years and it has taken over an ever larger space in the garden. In part, it depends what you like to eat but the following are my favourites.

A general tip when buying seeds is to avoid the seeds of the big companies like Suttons that are in the garden centres and B & Q. The packets are expensive and the amount of seeds poor. Franchis(Italian company) and online sellers like Premier seeds direct and Nikki's Seeds are better value and give bigger packets

1. Salad-moneywise this probably saves the most money. We used to buy a couple of bags most weeks, over £100 a year. I planted some rocket and red veined sorrel 10 years ago and it seeds everywhere and starts early. Oak leaf lettuce is good and the new variety Mizur doesn't bolt.
2. Cavalo Nero. I grew this for the first time 4 years ago and just love the taste. the leaves last over the winter too
3. Peas. I don't cook them, just eat them raw and in salads. Very easy to grow. We have mice so I start them off in old bits of gutter and transfer them to the ground when a few inches high. I stick old branches off shrubs and bushes into the ground for them to scramble over. 2 or 3 sowings a year
4. Purple sprouting brocolli. I sow them in April or May and the following March they are ready. Great to have so early in the year when there is little else
5. Strawberries and raspberries are easy and need little maintenance. I replace the strawberries every 3 years with new plants grown from runners.
6. Beetroot-very easy to grow and keep well into the winter
7. Potatoes-I grow pink fir apple potatoes. Not widely grown commercially because of low yield and their odd shape means they can break when machine picked. Wonderful texture and flavour.
8. I grow squashes and courgettes. Think about squashes because they store well and keep over the winter. I grow round Nice courgettes which have tended to fruit earlier than the standard varieties.

There is a fair bit of trial and error involved, what suits your site and soil. but great fun and I justlove strolling down to the end of the garden to get something for the dinner.

[stu in nottingham]

When I had a veg plot two of my favourite things to grow were yellow onions and brussels sprouts. They're give good value in terms of produce which can be used over a long period. Onions are fairly easy to grow and don't take up much space. They don't tend to get too many problems with them. You can easily learn how to string them up in a cool dark place and it's possible to have onions available a long way into the winter. In the winter you can plant Japanese onion sets (immature onions) which give you one of the few vegetables you can grow through those months.

Brussles sprouts are great as they tend to mature a little later than some other green veg. You can leave the plants in the ground into the colder months and just pick a few sprouts off the plants for dinner as you go. You can also eat the brussels tops too.

Another tip I would give is re growing potaoes. Unless you've got a very large area to plant up or you need a first crop to break the ground up a bit, avoid growing maincrop potatoes as they're plentiful, cheap to buy and can be stored for a while. Instead go for early 'new' varieties which are more expensive to buy, take up less space and are delicious when eaten fresh from the garden.

[RyeSloan]

Some excellent tips one here already!!

A lot depends on how much space you have but a certainty for me would be strawberries...you can get different varieties that fruit at different times and they basically look after themselves ( and multiply with no encouragement!)

Raspberries and any other soft fruits are good as well....most pretty easy to grow that come back year after year with little effort.

And while anything else is always worthwhile the advice on actually growing what you like is a good one.

Finally have a look at what’s actually rather expansive in the shops compared to cheap as chips and plant the more expensive stuff. As another poster said while potatoes are great and your own can taste better they take up a lot of space and a dirt cheap to buy so look to prioritise other crops.

That said new early potatoes, freshly dug can be pretty darn tasty!!

[Mibbes Aye]

I've been growing fruit and veg for 15 years and it has taken over an ever larger space in the garden. In part, it depends what you like to eat but the following are my favourites.

A general tip when buying seeds is to avoid the seeds of the big companies like Suttons that are in the garden centres and B & Q. The packets are expensive and the amount of seeds poor. Franchis(Italian company) and online sellers like Premier seeds direct and Nikki's Seeds are better value and give bigger packets

1. Salad-moneywise this probably saves the most money. We used to buy a couple of bags most weeks, over £100 a year. I planted some rocket and red veined sorrel 10 years ago and it seeds everywhere and starts early. Oak leaf lettuce is good and the new variety Mizur doesn't bolt.
2. Cavalo Nero. I grew this for the first time 4 years ago and just love the taste. the leaves last over the winter too
3. Peas. I don't cook them, just eat them raw and in salads. Very easy to grow. We have mice so I start them off in old bits of gutter and transfer them to the ground when a few inches high. I stick old branches off shrubs and bushes into the ground for them to scramble over. 2 or 3 sowings a year
4. Purple sprouting brocolli. I sow them in April or May and the following March they are ready. Great to have so early in the year when there is little else
5. Strawberries and raspberries are easy and need little maintenance. I replace the strawberries every 3 years with new plants grown from runners.
6. Beetroot-very easy to grow and keep well into the winter
7. Potatoes-I grow pink fir apple potatoes. Not widely grown commercially because of low yield and their odd shape means they can break when machine picked. Wonderful texture and flavour.
8. I grow squashes and courgettes. Think about squashes because they store well and keep over the winter. I grow round Nice courgettes which have tended to fruit earlier than the standard varieties.

There is a fair bit of trial and error involved, what suits your site and soil. but great fun and I justlove strolling down to the end of the garden to get something for the dinner.

Fabulous post, thank you.

[Hibrandenburg]

I've been growing fruit and veg for 15 years and it has taken over an ever larger space in the garden. In part, it depends what you like to eat but the following are my favourites.

A general tip when buying seeds is to avoid the seeds of the big companies like Suttons that are in the garden centres and B & Q. The packets are expensive and the amount of seeds poor. Franchis(Italian company) and online sellers like Premier seeds direct and Nikki's Seeds are better value and give bigger packets

1. Salad-moneywise this probably saves the most money. We used to buy a couple of bags most weeks, over £100 a year. I planted some rocket and red veined sorrel 10 years ago and it seeds everywhere and starts early. Oak leaf lettuce is good and the new variety Mizur doesn't bolt.
2. Cavalo Nero. I grew this for the first time 4 years ago and just love the taste. the leaves last over the winter too
3. Peas. I don't cook them, just eat them raw and in salads. Very easy to grow. We have mice so I start them off in old bits of gutter and transfer them to the ground when a few inches high. I stick old branches off shrubs and bushes into the ground for them to scramble over. 2 or 3 sowings a year
4. Purple sprouting brocolli. I sow them in April or May and the following March they are ready. Great to have so early in the year when there is little else
5. Strawberries and raspberries are easy and need little maintenance. I replace the strawberries every 3 years with new plants grown from runners.
6. Beetroot-very easy to grow and keep well into the winter
7. Potatoes-I grow pink fir apple potatoes. Not widely grown commercially because of low yield and their odd shape means they can break when machine picked. Wonderful texture and flavour.
8. I grow squashes and courgettes. Think about squashes because they store well and keep over the winter. I grow round Nice courgettes which have tended to fruit earlier than the standard varieties.

There is a fair bit of trial and error involved, what suits your site and soil. but great fun and I justlove strolling down to the end of the garden to get something for the dinner.

Makes me want to go out and rip my lawn up. Thanks for sharing.

[BroxburnHibee]

Any tips on restoring and maintaining grass when its overshadowed by trees for 3 quarters of the day. Half my small back garden is almost bare now.

Most of the trees belong to my neighbours so cutting them is a non starter.

[hibsbollah]

Any tips on restoring and maintaining grass when its overshadowed by trees for 3 quarters of the day. Half my small back garden is almost bare now.

Most of the trees belong to my neighbours so cutting them is a non starter.

It’s really difficult when you’ve got shade. Take a metal rake to the grass, probably you’ll get loads of moss out. It’ll look crap for a week or so but it’ll recover. Then scatter some lawn seed top soil and sand mix into the worse areas. And get some lawn feed and apply with a watering can.

[RyeSloan]

Any tips on restoring and maintaining grass when its overshadowed by trees for 3 quarters of the day. Half my small back garden is almost bare now.

Most of the trees belong to my neighbours so cutting them is a non starter.

As Bollah says it’s moss that’s the problem in high shade areas...basically takes over.

You could treat with a lawn moss killer or any of the 4 in 1 type treatments first...that will help kill the moss and make it easier to rake.

By the time you are finished it’s gonna be as good a bare tho.

Ideally you will want to tine the whole lot and apply sand / top soil...you can buy the separate or something like Westland lawn n turf dressing will be fine.

The idea here is to try and get the soil as free draining as possible to help stop it being forever damp and a perfect breading ground for moss!!

You can then apply the grass seed...there are specific breeds for shady areas so buy that.

Then you just need to let it grow! But it will always need maintenance...twice yearly treatment to stop the moss and regular feeding will help. Also you can top seed spring / autumn as well.

One tip when seeding / top seeding is to think about what mower you are using. Flymo’s and most electric mowers create a bit of a vacuum effect to lift the cut grass and get it in the box....this is great normally but with young grass and seeds all it does is suck up all your good work. A traditional push mower that chucks the grass in the box just by the movement of the blade is what’s required!


This all makes it sound a bit of a faff and to be honest it is a touch but once you do the hard bit of getting the initial moss out and the surface prepared it’s just a bit of little and often maintenance that will keep it looking pretty good!!

[Jones28]

Any tips on restoring and maintaining grass when its overshadowed by trees for 3 quarters of the day. Half my small back garden is almost bare now.

Most of the trees belong to my neighbours so cutting them is a non starter.

Broxburn, you can buy seed mixes that are tailor made to suit conditions. I’ve got a product called PM 60 which is made to perform in shaded areas, but you’ve had good advice from everyone else so id follow that before you buy the seed.

[BroxburnHibee]

Thanks everyone!

[Dalianwanda]

I had read about the staggering, that is helpful. I take it you are talking about fresh seaweed, not dehydrated :greengrin

I’m lucky as i’ve an organic seaweed baths in the village. As long as it’s going in the earth they are happy to give me a couple of barrels..

[Mibbes Aye]

Composting - I have two big bins. I assume I should use them separately and won’t get anything for a couple of years. How should I differentiate? Plant material in one, food in the other?

Also, I remember visiting someone’s house five or six years ago and they had a barrel with rainwater and cut grass, leaves etc. I think it was meant to be nitrogen-rich and therefore great for the soil. Does that work and if so, how?

[Mibbes Aye]

I’m lucky as i’ve an organic seaweed baths in the village. As long as it’s going in the earth they are happy to give me a couple of barrels..

Mail order :greengrin

[Tomsk]

Any tips on restoring and maintaining grass when its overshadowed by trees for 3 quarters of the day. Half my small back garden is almost bare now.

Most of the trees belong to my neighbours so cutting them is a non starter.

Do you have a problem with moss or is it dry bare patches?

If it's moss the advice others have given seems pretty solid to me. If it's dry, bare patches you might want to try what I've being doing with some success over the last month. Basically, I initially fed the grass with a nitrate based fertiliser, and I've been forking the ground to aerate the soil and watering the grass daily (sometimes twice).

Like yours, my green is shaded most of the day. Good results so far, much greener and less patchy.

By the way, I hate gardening. It's just an endless chore.

[goosano]

Composting - I have two big bins. I assume I should use them separately and won’t get anything for a couple of years. How should I differentiate? Plant material in one, food in the other?

Also, I remember visiting someone’s house five or six years ago and they had a barrel with rainwater and cut grass, leaves etc. I think it was meant to be nitrogen-rich and therefore great for the soil. Does that work and if so, how?

I have 3 of the council compost bins and put a mix in all three. I put in weeds and cuttings from the garden, grass clippings and dry material such as paper together. I try to avoid too much of one type. Having the bins in a place that gets some sun will accelerate the process. If you start now then you should have conpst ny the autumn to spread over the beds.
I keep a seperate area where I compost fallen leaves. They take about 2 years to break down but the compost is just wonderful.

[Jones28]

Composting - I have two big bins. I assume I should use them separately and won’t get anything for a couple of years. How should I differentiate? Plant material in one, food in the other?

Also, I remember visiting someone’s house five or six years ago and they had a barrel with rainwater and cut grass, leaves etc. I think it was meant to be nitrogen-rich and therefore great for the soil. Does that work and if so, how?

I’m not sure about the grass cuttings with water - fresh cut grass shouldn’t actually need any additional water to allow it to compost.

For the grass to be heavy in nitrogen it would ideally have a fair amount of clover in the mix, although I’m not sure how much nitrogen fixing plants actually would add to a compost pile.

The best thing for grass clippings (imo) is as nesting for young potato plants to keep frost at bay, or better yet is to cut the grass short once, then cut it once a week, even if it looks like it doesn’t need cut, and leave the clippings in the grass and they will break down naturally. Good green additive to the soil.

[Mibbes Aye]

I have 3 of the council compost bins and put a mix in all three. I put in weeds and cuttings from the garden, grass clippings and dry material such as paper together. I try to avoid too much of one type. Having the bins in a place that gets some sun will accelerate the process. If you start now then you should have conpst ny the autumn to spread over the beds.
I keep a seperate area where I compost fallen leaves. They take about 2 years to break down but the compost is just wonderful.

That is helpful, thank you. The bins get direct sunlight from late morning until sunset.

[Mibbes Aye]

I’m not sure about the grass cuttings with water - fresh cut grass shouldn’t actually need any additional water to allow it to compost.

For the grass to be heavy in nitrogen it would ideally have a fair amount of clover in the mix, although I’m not sure how much nitrogen fixing plants actually would add to a compost pile.

The best thing for grass clippings (imo) is as nesting for young potato plants to keep frost at bay, or better yet is to cut the grass short once, then cut it once a week, even if it looks like it doesn’t need cut, and leave the clippings in the grass and they will break down naturally. Good green additive to the soil.

Again, helpful, thank you.

[hibsbollah]

Broxburn, you can buy seed mixes that are tailor made to suit conditions. I’ve got a product called PM 60 which is made to perform in shaded areas, but you’ve had good advice from everyone else so id follow that before you buy the seed.

Other thing to bear in mind if you’re not that into grass or it always looks a mess, is a wildflower meadow. You can buy seed mixes or lay turf with the seeds already there ready to germinate. A lawn is a desert in terms of biodiversity (nature without any of the sex and death:greengrin ) I got mine posted from a company called pictorial meadows. No hassle, cut it to the ground twice a year. But you need to like that wild look.

[Mibbes Aye]

Other thing to bear in mind if you’re not that into grass or it always looks a mess, is a wildflower meadow. You can buy seed mixes or lay turf with the seeds already there ready to germinate. A lawn is a desert in terms of biodiversity (nature without any of the sex and death:greengrin ) I got mine posted from a company called pictorial meadows. No hassle, cut it to the ground twice a year. But you need to like that wild look.

I had read that there was value in leaving some space to grow wild. I live in the Borders so we we have space to spare for the wild look. Do you feel the need to put seeds in or just let it be and see what happens?

[G B Young]

Other thing to bear in mind if you’re not that into grass or it always looks a mess, is a wildflower meadow. You can buy seed mixes or lay turf with the seeds already there ready to germinate. A lawn is a desert in terms of biodiversity (nature without any of the sex and death:greengrin ) I got mine posted from a company called pictorial meadows. No hassle, cut it to the ground twice a year. But you need to like that wild look.

I've thought about trying that. Unless you're obsessive about your lawn it gets steadily full of weeds anyway plus with kids, a dog, climbing frame, trampoline etc there's no real hope of keeping it pristine.

[G B Young]

I've been growing fruit and veg for 15 years and it has taken over an ever larger space in the garden. In part, it depends what you like to eat but the following are my favourites.

A general tip when buying seeds is to avoid the seeds of the big companies like Suttons that are in the garden centres and B & Q. The packets are expensive and the amount of seeds poor. Franchis(Italian company) and online sellers like Premier seeds direct and Nikki's Seeds are better value and give bigger packets

1. Salad-moneywise this probably saves the most money. We used to buy a couple of bags most weeks, over £100 a year. I planted some rocket and red veined sorrel 10 years ago and it seeds everywhere and starts early. Oak leaf lettuce is good and the new variety Mizur doesn't bolt.
2. Cavalo Nero. I grew this for the first time 4 years ago and just love the taste. the leaves last over the winter too
3. Peas. I don't cook them, just eat them raw and in salads. Very easy to grow. We have mice so I start them off in old bits of gutter and transfer them to the ground when a few inches high. I stick old branches off shrubs and bushes into the ground for them to scramble over. 2 or 3 sowings a year
4. Purple sprouting brocolli. I sow them in April or May and the following March they are ready. Great to have so early in the year when there is little else
5. Strawberries and raspberries are easy and need little maintenance. I replace the strawberries every 3 years with new plants grown from runners.
6. Beetroot-very easy to grow and keep well into the winter
7. Potatoes-I grow pink fir apple potatoes. Not widely grown commercially because of low yield and their odd shape means they can break when machine picked. Wonderful texture and flavour.
8. I grow squashes and courgettes. Think about squashes because they store well and keep over the winter. I grow round Nice courgettes which have tended to fruit earlier than the standard varieties.

There is a fair bit of trial and error involved, what suits your site and soil. but great fun and I justlove strolling down to the end of the garden to get something for the dinner.

Keeping pests at bay is one ot the reasons I've never really made more than a minimal attempt at growing stuff. I know some gardeners say to simply let the wildlife have its share, but it can be a real problem.

One of our biggest successes has been an apple tree which now provides way more apples than we can use ourselves. I used to get irritated at the wasps starting to eat the ripening apples and would pick those ones off. However I realised that you're better just leaving them on the tree for them to focus on as if you don't the wasps will just start on another apple!

[hibsbollah]

I had read that there was value in leaving some space to grow wild. I live in the Borders so we we have space to spare for the wild look. Do you feel the need to put seeds in or just let it be and see what happens?

If you’re planting a meadow the best way is to prepare the soil the same way you would for laying turf or sowing grass seed, ie- weed everything out, dig, level, rake. Then sow the seed or roll out the wildflower turf. It’s a fair bit of work, but no more than establishing a lawn. And then you can put the mower away! You could try and plant things out individually into a lawn but they would probably be out-competed by grass and weeds. Alternatively, just leave an area unmown for a few months and see if cool things establish naturally.

[Jones28]

I had read that there was value in leaving some space to grow wild. I live in the Borders so we we have space to spare for the wild look. Do you feel the need to put seeds in or just let it be and see what happens?

Hibsbollah beat me to it, sow it as if you were doing a new lawn.

[Dalianwanda]

If you’re planting a meadow the best way is to prepare the soil the same way you would for laying turf or sowing grass seed, ie- weed everything out, dig, level, rake. Then sow the seed or roll out the wildflower turf. It’s a fair bit of work, but no more than establishing a lawn. And then you can put the mower away! You could try and plant things out individually into a lawn but they would probably be out-competed by grass and weeds. Alternatively, just leave an area unmown for a few months and see if cool things establish naturally.
We’ve got one area that two years ago i dug and raked and chucked wild flower seed down. Results were stunning. I thought they would just drop their seeds and regrow following year. How wrong i was..dock leaves and fear s covered the whole area. Dig it all up and ripped out the carrot sized dock leave roots. Stuffs coming up but no idea what’s it’s going to be.

[hibsbollah]

We’ve got one area that two years ago i dug and raked and chucked wild flower seed down. Results were stunning. I thought they would just drop their seeds and regrow following year. How wrong i was..dock leaves and fear s covered the whole area. Dig it all up and ripped out the carrot sized dock leave roots. Stuffs coming up but no idea what’s it’s going to be.

My wee area is also in year 2 and is also in a bit of a mess at this time of year, but that’s because I’ve been lazy with the weeding. I’ve got perennial species as well as the annuals so they should definitely come back.

[Mibbes Aye]

If you’re planting a meadow the best way is to prepare the soil the same way you would for laying turf or sowing grass seed, ie- weed everything out, dig, level, rake. Then sow the seed or roll out the wildflower turf. It’s a fair bit of work, but no more than establishing a lawn. And then you can put the mower away! You could try and plant things out individually into a lawn but they would probably be out-competed by grass and weeds. Alternatively, just leave an area unmown for a few months and see if cool things establish naturally.


Hibsbollah beat me to it, sow it as if you were doing a new lawn.

Cheers guys.

[beensaidbefore]

Plant onions next to the carrots. They’re the classic companion plant because the carrot fly that can decimate your crop avoids the onion smell. The other classic companion plant is geranium and roses, but the reason escapes me, probably aphids.

Runner beans are greedy feeders, if you can dig a trench and fill it in with manure/compost before planting. I do them on Wigwams of bamboo canes, they plants grow up to 2metres so the cane framework needs to be that tall.

Interesting about onions with carrots.

Article on Gardeners World on Friday suggested if you don't thin your carrots you will have a better chance of avoiding carrot fly. Apparently the process of thinning gives of a smell that attracts them.

Also read somewhere if you plant in raised beds you stand a better chance as the carrot fly stays close to the ground. I plant in the ground and never had any bother so not sure if there is any truth in that.

[Jim44]

Any tips on restoring and maintaining grass when its overshadowed by trees for 3 quarters of the day. Half my small back garden is almost bare now.

Most of the trees belong to my neighbours so cutting them is a non starter.


It’s really difficult when you’ve got shade. Take a metal rake to the grass, probably you’ll get loads of moss out. It’ll look crap for a week or so but it’ll recover. Then scatter some lawn seed top soil and sand mix into the worse areas. And get some lawn feed and apply with a watering can.

I’ve had the same problem with a couple of areas, under a tree and under overhanging bushes, in my garden for years. Not being a ‘gardener’, I’ve unsuccessfully tried to fix the problem from time to time but gave up, turning a blind eye to the untidy patches. With time on my hands with lockdown, I decided to bite the bullet and dug the dodgy areas over and shaped them into decent sized areas for shrubs, hortas and other plants. I’ve spent a lot of time clearing the areas and feeding them and, unable to get to the garden centre, have scavenged and transplanted bits and pieces from other areas in the garden to get things going. I’m looking forward to the garden centres opening so I can get some other plants to put in. I’m quite chuffed with the results but a wee bit concerned that my enthusiasm and time might diminish when they open up the golf course. :greengrin

[goosano]

23386233872338823389

Some of the stuff that i am growing. In tghe pictures
1. Lettuces, collard greens and red veined sorrel
2. Cavalo nero
3. Broad beans and mangetout
4. Elephant garlic, shallots and peas

[Mibbes Aye]

23386233872338823389

Some of the stuff that i am growing. In tghe pictures
1. Lettuces, collard greens and red veined sorrel
2. Cavalo nero
3. Broad beans and mangetout
4. Elephant garlic, shallots and peas

Looking good. How easy is the sorrel? It is not something commonly found in shops but I know it lends itself to a lot of dishes.

If I can get mangetout growing I would be in seventh heaven. Raw, steamed or stir-fried, I could eat it every day.

[goosano]

Looking good. How easy is the sorrel? It is not something commonly found in shops but I know it lends itself to a lot of dishes.

If I can get mangetout growing I would be in seventh heaven. Raw, steamed or stir-fried, I could eat it every day.

The red veined sorrel is very easy to grow and it seeds everywherem. It has long tap roots like rocket. I grew mangetout last year for the first time. Easy to grow just like normal peas

[Jim44]

As I said above, I lifted a lot of my grass area and turned it into plant and flower beds. I had a lot of turf sods which I’ve dried out a bit and removed the good soil to recycle, in pots etc. I assume this soil, which is quite fine, will be lacking in nutrients, so what should I add to it to make it healthier for general use!

[Dalianwanda]

Half my plants are currently being ripped up by the wind. Another day of this yellow warning storm to go so don’t hold out much hope for the other half either

[Callum_62]

Right gardeners of this world - back garden has just been finished and now need some advice of what to plant to soften it up - it's really functional for us but definateky needs some help from nature!

We are quite a bit higher than our neighbour so we need some tree shurbs at about 2m high (to not be overly rude) to get some privacy behind that planter

I'm am not a gardener in any way shape or formive obviosuly been looking and researching and came up with maybe 3 evergreen california lilacs in the planter along with maybe some Azalea?

Now on other side of garden we were maybe thinking about some fruit trees or the likes? Again it needs to be maybe max 3m height on that side

Anyone wanna chime in with there expertise?

For scale the planter is about 5m long and 80cm wide

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200522/082eb58e7a6ca95e1566f4faaca75f03.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200522/dfde7edb6d6e6c7ccc46f3fd76838de6.jpg

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[hibsbollah]

Where is south?
Do you want to spend mostly evenings or mornings in the garden?
Do you know your soil type?

Californian lilacs are a great idea as a screen, the bees and the butterflies go mad for them too. Azaleas like acidic soil so if you have neutral or alkali soil you’ll need to Chuck a load of ericaceous compost at the planting hole if you want them to prosper. And water absolutely loads the first year��

[Callum_62]

Where is south?
Do you want to spend mostly evenings or mornings in the garden?
Do you know your soil type?Our garden faces directly west (so south lies to the real turf side of the garden)

Its clay soil, although didn't look too bad when it was being moved around

In normal times be late afternoonish onwards

Really from about mid day most of our garden is in sun

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[hibsbollah]

Our garden faces directly west (so south lies to the real turf side of the garden)

Its clay soil, although didn't look too bad when it was being moved around

In normal times be late afternoonish onwards

Really from about mid day most of our garden is in sun

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That means the real turf side of the garden is North facing, which your fruit trees won’t like as much.

Clay isn’t a problem if it doesn’t look too claggy. If you’re planting azaleas you might want to buy a soil testing kit (£5) to check acidity , if it’s high ph azaleas won’t like it. You can usually judge well enough by looking at what’s growing in neighbouring gardens.

ive just realised you’re in New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere so even in my hungover condition I’m fairly sure this means you WANT north facing for fruit trees so ignore what I’ve just said :faf:

[Callum_62]

That means the real turf side of the garden is North facing, which your fruit trees won’t like as much.

Clay isn’t a problem if it doesn’t look too claggy. If you’re planting azaleas you might want to buy a soil testing kit (£5) to check acidity , if it’s high ph azaleas won’t like it. You can usually judge well enough by looking at what’s growing in neighbouring gardens.

ive just realised you’re in New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere so even in my hungover condition I’m fairly sure this means you WANT north facing for fruit trees so ignore what I’ve just said :faf:No, this house is in the UK [emoji106]

Thanks for the advice too

I definitely like the way californian lilics look - was thinking of 3 trees along length of planter

Or possibly 2 cali lilacs with Japanese maple 'Winter Flame' in the middle

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[hibsbollah]

No, this house is in the UK [emoji106]

Thanks for the advice too

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you’re welcome! Californian lilac is a great plant, I had it next to a patio in an old house and it had blue flowers for months and the bees went mad for it. Just trim it over after it flowers to keep it a nice shape.

[Callum_62]

you’re welcome! Californian lilac is a great plant, I had it next to a patio in an old house and it had blue flowers for months and the bees went mad for it. Just trim it over after it flowers to keep it a nice shape.Would 2 lilics with a Japanese maple in between go well together?

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[hibsbollah]

Would 2 lilics with a Japanese maple in between go well together?

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No reason why not. Sounds like a nice combination. Check the height and spread on the plant label and plant them far enough apart so they won’t encroach on each other’s space.

[RyeSloan]

Ceanothus is a great screen. They don’t grow too fast so you won’t be forever trimming them when grown but fast and dense enough (with a bit of effective pruning when growing) to create a good barrier. I’d also suggest that when young encourage them to create the right depth and width with the height coming later...it’s always tempting to let them sprout as high as possible as quickly as possible but they can end up a bit straggly if you do that...takes a bit longer to get to the height you want but will look much much better in the end.

Personally I’d be tempted to do the whole length of the planter with them as you will be able to create a ‘solid’ wall to the height of your choosing and will prevent in future years you needing to stop then forever encroaching in what you have next or between them.

There will be plenty of space at the front of the planter to put in some additional interest.

As others have said Azalea are a bit picky and rarely do well in clay soil so while they are great plants might take a bit of constant care and even then might never be as good as hoped.

Another simple option is some sort of laurel, not quite a pretty as the Californian but highly effective screening that once established will grow as dense and as high as you want. These are also good in that once they are up you can trim back the lower parts quite far to allow some under planting which adds more depth and interest to the whole set up!

Good luck and enjoy the challenge!!

[Callum_62]

Ceanothus is a great screen. They don’t grow too fast so you won’t be forever trimming them when grown but fast and dense enough (with a bit of effective pruning when growing) to create a good barrier. I’d also suggest that when young encourage them to create the right depth and width with the height coming later...it’s always tempting to let them sprout as high as possible as quickly as possible but they can end up a bit straggly if you do that...takes a bit longer to get to the height you want but will look much much better in the end.

Personally I’d be tempted to do the whole length of the planter with them as you will be able to create a ‘solid’ wall to the height of your choosing and will prevent in future years you needing to stop then forever encroaching in what you have next or between them.

There will be plenty of space at the front of the planter to put in some additional interest.

As others have said Azalea are a bit picky and rarely do well in clay soil so while they are great plants might take a bit of constant care and even then might never be as good as hoped.

Another simple option is some sort of laurel, not quite a pretty as the Californian but highly effective screening that once established will grow as dense and as high as you want. These are also good in that once they are up you can trim back the lower parts quite far to allow some under planting which adds more depth and interest to the whole set up!

Good luck and enjoy the challenge!!Thanks - yeah I think we might just go 3 of these in the planter section

https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-repens-p1049

I much prefer that shape over the Bush type

Seem some beautiful Japanese maples that will maybe work better at the bottom of garden standing alone

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[hibsbollah]

Thanks - yeah I think we might just go 3 of these in the planter section

https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-repens-p1049

I much prefer that shape over the Bush type

Seem some beautiful Japanese maples that will maybe work better at the bottom of garden standing alone

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

acers don’t like windy exposed sites. Stick it next to the fence or protect it with bigger things like the ceanothus.

[Callum_62]

acers don’t like windy exposed sites. Stick it next to the fence or protect it with bigger things like the ceanothus.We get quite a good amount of protection from these big boys

Howling a gale now but our garden appears to be quite well protected.... Watching they massive chestnut trees swaying about is quite something though.

Definately need to invest in a leaf blower [emoji23]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200523/d0cd37062b8b4d2edffcf29c5dc90544.jpg

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[hibsbollah]

We get quite a good amount of protection from these big boys

Howling a gale now but our garden appears to be quite well protected.... Watching they massive chestnut trees swaying about is quite something though.

Definately need to invest in a leaf blower [emoji23]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200523/d0cd37062b8b4d2edffcf29c5dc90544.jpg

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That looks a good windbreak! You might be fine then.

[RyeSloan]

Thanks - yeah I think we might just go 3 of these in the planter section

https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-repens-p1049

I much prefer that shape over the Bush type

Seem some beautiful Japanese maples that will maybe work better at the bottom of garden standing alone

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

They would do fine but a bit pricey for my liking! I reckon you could train and grow similar quite easily with much cheaper plants...3 of them are gonna take some time to give you coverage.

I suppose it depends if you want a hedge type effect in the end or something a bit more ornamental but really you can grow and prune to your own desires.

Japanese maples are defo worth considering for your garden, beautifully ornamental and always look a bit special.

One other to consider is a cornus Norman Hadden. It can be grown as a large bush or allowed to go to a full size tree. Sometimes called the wedding cake tree. It’s really something special when covered in its amazing white flowers that go pink over time then end up as red strawberry type berries.

Not the best pic to show the whole plant but you get the idea of the type of flowers it produces...it’s a tree that just gets better and better every year and is probably my favourite plant in the whole garden.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200523/889c01ba3ff23e20ade67c8d5037cc81.jpg

[hibsbollah]

They would do fine but a bit pricey for my liking! I reckon you could train and grow similar quite easily with much cheaper plants...3 of them are gonna take some time to give you coverage.

I suppose it depends if you want a hedge type effect in the end or something a bit more ornamental but really you can grow and prune to your own desires.

Japanese maples are defo worth considering for your garden, beautifully ornamental and always look a bit special.

One other to consider is a cornus Norman Hadden. It can be grown as a large bush or allowed to go to a full size tree. Sometimes called the wedding cake tree. It’s really something special when covered in its amazing white flowers that go pink over time then end up as red strawberry type berries.

Not the best pic to show the whole plant but you get the idea of the type of flowers it produces...it’s a tree that just gets better and better every year and is probably my favourite plant in the whole garden.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200523/889c01ba3ff23e20ade67c8d5037cc81.jpg

You know your stuff clearly, Norman Haddon is an excellent cultivar :agree: ive got another kousa called China Girl but it’s never really been successful in my garden.

[Callum_62]

Speaking of gardens - anyone used the gtech leaf blower

£500 on there site but I've found a discount code to get £330 off

I have there st20 strimmer which has worked well enough

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[danhibees1875]

I've got some strawberries planted, although I'm not confident.

They were bare roots and sent via post, then get rehydrated and planted. Some of the green heads had broken off and they are also in a tiered herb planter and probably not getting as much soil or space as they would ideally want. Hoping they at least flower and grow a couple. :dunno:

It was just to add something different to what will otherwise be a variety of herbs growing in the planter.

[goosano]

I've got some strawberries planted, although I'm not confident.

They were bare roots and sent via post, then get rehydrated and planted. Some of the green heads had broken off and they are also in a tiered herb planter and probably not getting as much soil or space as they would ideally want. Hoping they at least flower and grow a couple. :dunno:

It was just to add something different to what will otherwise be a variety of herbs growing in the planter.

They will survive. Probably not much will happen this year but next year you will get plenty of growth and strawberries

[danhibees1875]

They will survive. Probably not much will happen this year but next year you will get plenty of growth and strawberries

That will give me hope when this year fails at least! :greengrin

Thanks. :aok:

[G B Young]

Ceanothus is a great screen. They don’t grow too fast so you won’t be forever trimming them when grown but fast and dense enough (with a bit of effective pruning when growing) to create a good barrier. I’d also suggest that when young encourage them to create the right depth and width with the height coming later...it’s always tempting to let them sprout as high as possible as quickly as possible but they can end up a bit straggly if you do that...takes a bit longer to get to the height you want but will look much much better in the end.

Personally I’d be tempted to do the whole length of the planter with them as you will be able to create a ‘solid’ wall to the height of your choosing and will prevent in future years you needing to stop then forever encroaching in what you have next or between them.

There will be plenty of space at the front of the planter to put in some additional interest.

As others have said Azalea are a bit picky and rarely do well in clay soil so while they are great plants might take a bit of constant care and even then might never be as good as hoped.

Another simple option is some sort of laurel, not quite a pretty as the Californian but highly effective screening that once established will grow as dense and as high as you want. These are also good in that once they are up you can trim back the lower parts quite far to allow some under planting which adds more depth and interest to the whole set up!

Good luck and enjoy the challenge!!

We planted white-flowering Escalonia as a hedge/screen a few years back. Dense, deep green leaves and loads of lovely white blossom in mid-summer which is a haven for bees, but it's very dull the rest of the year and often looks quite barren (half dead almost!) before the leaves bulk up again. Thinking of trying to work something in alongside it or in front of it to add some vitality the rest of the year. Any tips welcome.

[RyeSloan]

We planted white-flowering Escalonia as a hedge/screen a few years back. Dense, deep green leaves and loads of lovely white blossom in mid-summer which is a haven for bees, but it's very dull the rest of the year and often looks quite barren (half dead almost!) before the leaves bulk up again. Thinking of trying to work something in alongside it or in front of it to add some vitality the rest of the year. Any tips welcome.

Yeah I think white escalonia in particular have a habit of doing that...I had one for a few years then basically gave up on it for that reason.

It was great for a while then just kind of died / stopped leafing from the bottom up and no amount of trimming or feeding or encouragement would get the thing back to how I wanted it!

I ended up putting a couple of climbing hydrangea in next to it and they have now taken over that section of the fence quite nicely.

If I had my time again I wouldn’t bother with any escalonia. While they grow fast and look great for a while, for me at least, they always ended up top heavy and just a bit scrappy further down. Maybe just me and there is a cunning way to make them look great all the time but to be honest I’ve just not got the time or effort to put into maintaining such things....plants in my garden need to damn well look after themselves for most of the time or they are oot! [emoji1787]

[Just_Jimmy]

Looking for ideas to plant a small bed. About foot and half deep and 6 foot long. Backed by a fence and edged at the front.

Mrs wants purples and whites. Obviously need height at the back and then working forward. Would like perennials which would allow low maintenance. Ideally colour most of the season without it looking shabby off season?

It's in full/partial sun all day and protected from strong winds to a decent level.

That is your brief, the garden gurus of dot net... Ideally I would love a list of ideas and what order to plant them to get something looking good.

Thanks

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[G B Young]

Yeah I think white escalonia in particular have a habit of doing that...I had one for a few years then basically gave up on it for that reason.

It was great for a while then just kind of died / stopped leafing from the bottom up and no amount of trimming or feeding or encouragement would get the thing back to how I wanted it!

I ended up putting a couple of climbing hydrangea in next to it and they have now taken over that section of the fence quite nicely.

If I had my time again I wouldn’t bother with any escalonia. While they grow fast and look great for a while, for me at least, they always ended up top heavy and just a bit scrappy further down. Maybe just me and there is a cunning way to make them look great all the time but to be honest I’ve just not got the time or effort to put into maintaining such things....plants in my garden need to damn well look after themselves for most of the time or they are oot! [emoji1787]

Thanks for the feedback. I think you're right about the white version as my folks have the red/pink version and it always seems to retain its density. Ours is now starting to come to life again, but as you say it's scrappy for most of the year.

Might follow your example with some hydrangea.

[RyeSloan]

Looking for ideas to plant a small bed. About foot and half deep and 6 foot long. Backed by a fence and edged at the front.

Mrs wants purples and whites. Obviously need height at the back and then working forward. Would like perennials which would allow low maintenance. Ideally colour most of the season without it looking shabby off season?

It's in full/partial sun all day and protected from strong winds to a decent level.

That is your brief, the garden gurus of dot net... Ideally I would love a list of ideas and what order to plant them to get something looking good.

Thanks

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

Sheesh not want long too much from a bed 45cm deep then!! [emoji16]

And colour most of the season as well...every gardeners most challenging ask!

Apart from that this is easy [emoji23]

How high is the fence? Considering the lack of space you are not going to be able to plant shrubs that give height at the back then something in front so the height needs to come from something that climbs the fence. The afore mentioned climbing hydrangea or a variegated ivy like Hedera Helix White wonder would work I think. The ivy keeps its leaves all year round and while the hydrangea is not ever green is not barren for long and gives a bit of depth at height as it’s flowers sprout outwards from the fence.

Shrubs wise there is plenty of choice...but perennial evergreen that flower a long time not so much!

I’d suggest you just go for one type along the 6ft length for effect...often more of one thing looks better than a smattering of different things.

An easy and affordable choice would be a lavender or maybe a campanula. You could also go for a hebe which mound nicely...there are some nice white versions.

There is plenty more choices and maybe someone with rather more knowledge than my strictly very amateur head contains might be able to suggest better thoughts!!

[Just_Jimmy]

Sheesh not want long too much from a bed 45cm deep then!! [emoji16]

And colour most of the season as well...every gardeners most challenging ask!

Apart from that this is easy [emoji23]

How high is the fence? Considering the lack of space you are not going to be able to plant shrubs that give height at the back then something in front so the height needs to come from something that climbs the fence. The afore mentioned climbing hydrangea or a variegated ivy like Hedera Helix White wonder would work I think. The ivy keeps its leaves all year round and while the hydrangea is not ever green is not barren for long and gives a bit of depth at height as it’s flowers sprout outwards from the fence.

Shrubs wise there is plenty of choice...but perennial evergreen that flower a long time not so much!

I’d suggest you just go for one type along the 6ft length for effect...often more of one thing looks better than a smattering of different things.

An easy and affordable choice would be a lavender or maybe a campanula. You could also go for a hebe which mound nicely...there are some nice white versions.

There is plenty more choices and maybe someone with rather more knowledge than my strictly very amateur head contains might be able to suggest better thoughts!!Haha. When you put it like that it's a bit deeper but not much. Fence is standard 6 ft garden fence.

I've done a bit more reading since I posted and have a few ideas. I'll update once I've got it sorted.

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[RyeSloan]

Haha. When you put it like that it's a bit deeper but not much. Fence is standard 6 ft garden fence.

I've done a bit more reading since I posted and have a few ideas. I'll update once I've got it sorted.

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Sounds good...yeah share your thoughts once you’ve done so!

[hibsbollah]

Haha. When you put it like that it's a bit deeper but not much. Fence is standard 6 ft garden fence.

I've done a bit more reading since I posted and have a few ideas. I'll update once I've got it sorted.

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Ryesloan beat me to it; 45cms is too shallow a bed to get any tapering height effect; most perennials have a final spread of about 50cms, sometimes more sometimes less so you'd only be able to fit one line of plants in. Most borders are a metre deep so im assuming youve mismeasured:greengrin. On that assumption of 1mx6m, and assuming the area gets a reasonable amount of sun, this is what id do;
12 geranium 'rozanne' at the front of the border. great plant, will give you purple flowers low to the ground all summer. Underplant it with bulbs; anemone nemerosa or blanda, you can get white or blue/purple cultivars for the late Spring, and snowdrops/iris reticulata/grape hyacinth for early Spring. Thats giving you year round interest at the front straightaway.
Behind it, choose 4 late summer interest plants in groups of 3 each. 2 purple could be salvia ostfriesland and verbena bonariensis, and 2 white could be veronicastrum 'Album' and echinacea 'white swan' but there are literally hundreds of perennials you could choose. This is the back of the border sorted for late summer. For early summer in this section, underplant this section with bulbs again, white tulip for Spring 'white triumphator' is very good and then alliums coming through after the tulips go over for late Spring/early summer, Allium 'Purple sensation' is purple, surprisingly, and 'Mont Blanc' or 'Everest' is white.
If you want to have winter structure, chuck in a couple of buxus (box) balls in place of a couple of the perennials. But thats you sorted:greengrin

[Callum_62]

Ended up ordering 3 of these for my planter

https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ceanothus-trewithan-blue-tree-p856

Just hoping the pruning isn't too much to keep at about 2m high and about 1.5. Wide

And 2 of these for probably standing In a pot on my decking, coz they are too damn cute not to

https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/ceanothus-thyrsiflorus-repens-p1049

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[RyeSloan]

Ryesloan beat me to it; 45cms is too shallow a bed to get any tapering height effect; most perennials have a final spread of about 50cms, sometimes more sometimes less so you'd only be able to fit one line of plants in. Most borders are a metre deep so im assuming youve mismeasured:greengrin. On that assumption of 1mx6m, and assuming the area gets a reasonable amount of sun, this is what id do;
12 geranium 'rozanne' at the front of the border. great plant, will give you purple flowers low to the ground all summer. Underplant it with bulbs; anemone nemerosa or blanda, you can get white or blue/purple cultivars for the late Spring, and snowdrops/iris reticulata/grape hyacinth for early Spring. Thats giving you year round interest at the front straightaway.
Behind it, choose 4 late summer interest plants in groups of 3 each. 2 purple could be salvia ostfriesland and verbena bonariensis, and 2 white could be veronicastrum 'Album' and echinacea 'white swan' but there are literally hundreds of perennials you could choose. This is the back of the border sorted for late summer. For early summer in this section, underplant this section with bulbs again, white tulip for Spring 'white triumphator' is very good and then alliums coming through after the tulips go over for late Spring/early summer, Allium 'Purple sensation' is purple, surprisingly, and 'Mont Blanc' or 'Everest' is white.
If you want to have winter structure, chuck in a couple of buxus (box) balls in place of a couple of the perennials. But thats you sorted:greengrin

Top work ‘bollah!!

Knew someone who actually knew what they were talking about would answer this challenge effectively ;-)

[hibsbollah]

Top work ‘bollah!!

Knew someone who actually knew what they were talking about would answer this challenge effectively ;-)

not at all, your suggestions are good, white campanula could work just as well, it’s just personal preference really.

[Mibbes Aye]

Sheesh not want long too much from a bed 45cm deep then!! [emoji16]

And colour most of the season as well...every gardeners most challenging ask!

Apart from that this is easy [emoji23]

How high is the fence? Considering the lack of space you are not going to be able to plant shrubs that give height at the back then something in front so the height needs to come from something that climbs the fence. The afore mentioned climbing hydrangea or a variegated ivy like Hedera Helix White wonder would work I think. The ivy keeps its leaves all year round and while the hydrangea is not ever green is not barren for long and gives a bit of depth at height as it’s flowers sprout outwards from the fence.

Shrubs wise there is plenty of choice...but perennial evergreen that flower a long time not so much!

I’d suggest you just go for one type along the 6ft length for effect...often more of one thing looks better than a smattering of different things.

An easy and affordable choice would be a lavender or maybe a campanula. You could also go for a hebe which mound nicely...there are some nice white versions.

There is plenty more choices and maybe someone with rather more knowledge than my strictly very amateur head contains might be able to suggest better thoughts!!


Ryesloan beat me to it; 45cms is too shallow a bed to get any tapering height effect; most perennials have a final spread of about 50cms, sometimes more sometimes less so you'd only be able to fit one line of plants in. Most borders are a metre deep so im assuming youve mismeasured:greengrin. On that assumption of 1mx6m, and assuming the area gets a reasonable amount of sun, this is what id do;
12 geranium 'rozanne' at the front of the border. great plant, will give you purple flowers low to the ground all summer. Underplant it with bulbs; anemone nemerosa or blanda, you can get white or blue/purple cultivars for the late Spring, and snowdrops/iris reticulata/grape hyacinth for early Spring. Thats giving you year round interest at the front straightaway.
Behind it, choose 4 late summer interest plants in groups of 3 each. 2 purple could be salvia ostfriesland and verbena bonariensis, and 2 white could be veronicastrum 'Album' and echinacea 'white swan' but there are literally hundreds of perennials you could choose. This is the back of the border sorted for late summer. For early summer in this section, underplant this section with bulbs again, white tulip for Spring 'white triumphator' is very good and then alliums coming through after the tulips go over for late Spring/early summer, Allium 'Purple sensation' is purple, surprisingly, and 'Mont Blanc' or 'Everest' is white.
If you want to have winter structure, chuck in a couple of buxus (box) balls in place of a couple of the perennials. But thats you sorted:greengrin

Very helpful posts. I bought a garden that had a lot of care given to it but had become a bit neglected, and there are gaps.

[RyeSloan]

Very helpful posts. I bought a garden that had a lot of care given to it but had become a bit neglected, and there are gaps.

There’s always gaps!! No matter how good the garden looks the gardener will find fault and something else that could be improved or look better...it’s a lifetimes work that is never done [emoji23]

[G B Young]

There’s always gaps!! No matter how good the garden looks the gardener will find fault and something else that could be improved or look better...it’s a lifetimes work that is never done [emoji23]

This is a great thread. A therapeutic diversion from less comforting things and it's inspired me to start focusing on the garden again.

As I mentioned earlier, I kind of gave up hope of establishing the sort of garden we first planned to create when we moved into our current home after I realised how much of an impact kids (and their slide, trampoline etc) plus a dog would have on those plans. Now that things have settled down a bit there's scope for improvement.

I know though from watching my own parents plus in-laws down the years that you're right about a garden never being done. My dream would be to have a year-round cycle of growth where with each passing phase a new phase would begin, thus keeping the garden constantly vibrant, interesting and balanced. Have I got the time, expertise or energy to commit to it? Or should I take the financial hit of calling in a professional planner to get things started correctly before embarking on a trial and error path?

[Mibbes Aye]

There’s always gaps!! No matter how good the garden looks the gardener will find fault and something else that could be improved or look better...it’s a lifetimes work that is never done [emoji23]

Ah yes, I refer back to my previous post that all philosophy, Western or Eastern, is informed by the art of gardening :greengrin

[Mibbes Aye]

This is a great thread. A therapeutic diversion from less comforting things and it's inspired me to start focusing on the garden again.

As I mentioned earlier, I kind of gave up hope of establishing the sort of garden we first planned to create when we moved into our current home after I realised how much of an impact kids (and their slide, trampoline etc) plus a dog would have on those plans. Now that things have settled down a bit there's scope for improvement.

I know though from watching my own parents plus in-laws down the years that you're right about a garden never being done. My dream would be to have a year-round cycle of growth where with each passing phase a new phase would begin, thus keeping the garden constantly vibrant, interesting and balanced. Have I got the time, expertise or energy to commit to it? Or should I take the financial hit of calling in a professional planner to get things started correctly before embarking on a trial and error path?

If you can afford a professional planner then crack on, but to an extent I suspect they will have not much more degree of right and wrong than you. Just need to keep trying stuff. And then you pass away and you hope your children or future residents keep it up!

[hibsbollah]

This is a great thread. A therapeutic diversion from less comforting things and it's inspired me to start focusing on the garden again.

As I mentioned earlier, I kind of gave up hope of establishing the sort of garden we first planned to create when we moved into our current home after I realised how much of an impact kids (and their slide, trampoline etc) plus a dog would have on those plans. Now that things have settled down a bit there's scope for improvement.

I know though from watching my own parents plus in-laws down the years that you're right about a garden never being done. My dream would be to have a year-round cycle of growth where with each passing phase a new phase would begin, thus keeping the garden constantly vibrant, interesting and balanced. Have I got the time, expertise or energy to commit to it? Or should I take the financial hit of calling in a professional planner to get things started correctly before embarking on a trial and error path?

It sounds like Christopher Lloyd is the guy for you. The most ferociously posh man on the planet (sadly now passed away); his big thing is continuity planting, so you get interest right through the year. He's written some great books, widely available.

[RyeSloan]

Ah yes, I refer back to my previous post that all philosophy, Western or Eastern, is informed by the art of gardening :greengrin

Stop it! [emoji1787][emoji1787]

[G B Young]

It sounds like Christopher Lloyd is the guy for you. The most ferociously posh man on the planet (sadly now passed away); his big thing is continuity planting, so you get interest right through the year. He's written some great books, widely available.

Cheers. I'll check him out.

[danhibees1875]

I've got a bunch of herb seeds to plant (Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Coriander, Basil, and Mint). I've read that I should look to keep mint seperate from the others, is that true/necessary? I have 3 tiers of a tiered planter and was just going to put 2 in each.

I also noticed that rosemary was the only one which doesn't have instructions for planting outside. Does it need to be grown inside to begin with?

Thanks. :aok:

[hibsbollah]

I've got a bunch of herb seeds to plant (Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Coriander, Basil, and Mint). I've read that I should look to keep mint seperate from the others, is that true/necessary? I have 3 tiers of a tiered planter and was just going to put 2 in each.

I also noticed that rosemary was the only one which doesn't have instructions for planting outside. Does it need to be grown inside to begin with?

Thanks. :aok:

mint is really invasive so best kept in a separate pot. Rosemary can go outside.

[Mibbes Aye]

I've got a bunch of herb seeds to plant (Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Coriander, Basil, and Mint). I've read that I should look to keep mint seperate from the others, is that true/necessary? I have 3 tiers of a tiered planter and was just going to put 2 in each.

I also noticed that rosemary was the only one which doesn't have instructions for planting outside. Does it need to be grown inside to begin with?

Thanks. :aok:

Mint needs kept separate and a close eye on it. It grows like some triffidian sci-fi movie. Be prepared to start making a lot of home-made mint tea! On the plus side it will be good for you :greengrin

Actually, I would have to look it up but there is something to grow, a veg, that benefits from having mint near by as the natural predators can’t stand the mint. I will check it out.

Basil certainly is straightforward and obviously easily usable in tomato sauces. And a host of dishes accommodate thyme. Rosemary is classically paired with lamb and I don’t have that much lamb at all, but complements roast potatoes very well.

[goosano]

I've got a bunch of herb seeds to plant (Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Coriander, Basil, and Mint). I've read that I should look to keep mint seperate from the others, is that true/necessary? I have 3 tiers of a tiered planter and was just going to put 2 in each.

I also noticed that rosemary was the only one which doesn't have instructions for planting outside. Does it need to be grown inside to begin with?

Thanks. :aok:

As well as mint, oregano spreads very easily and seeds everywhere

[danhibees1875]

Thanks guys! :aok:

I think I'll find myself an extra pot for the mint then. That allows oregano to have its own area too and the others can share!

Good point about thinking what to actually use the herbs for... Rosemary with roast potatoes was definitely on the cards. :aok:

[Mibbes Aye]

Total aside, but I really enjoy Masterchef Australia and also quite like Masterchef USA, though that is mainly Masterchef Gordon Ramsay :greengrin

A few series back they had a bit where the other two judges, both Americans, put on Dick Van Dyke accents and were mocking Ramsay because he said Oh-reg-ano rather than Or-aaag-aknow. Then they were jibing him for calling cilantro coriander and other stuff. It was very droll

[Mibbes Aye]

Just in relation to the last several posts, for anyone who has never tried it. Growing your own herbs isn't hard work but not necessarily successful all the time. The satisfaction when it does work is pretty immense though, and there are many that can be done from the windowsill should you lack garden space.

[RyeSloan]

Just in relation to the last several posts, for anyone who has never tried it. Growing your own herbs isn't hard work but not necessarily successful all the time. The satisfaction when it does work is pretty immense though, and there are many that can be done from the windowsill should you lack garden space.

Chives are great....not only do they look after themselves and only spread gradually if you don’t use them for cooking they make a great little border plant with nice elegant purple flowers on a tall stem. They are in flower now and once done can be given a quick snip to encourage them to grow and bloom again later in the year.

Super hardy as well so will come back year after year no bother at all.

[Mibbes Aye]

Chives are great....not only do they look after themselves and only spread gradually if you don’t use them for cooking they make a great little border plant with nice elegant purple flowers on a tall stem. They are in flower now and once done can be given a quick snip to encourage them to grow and bloom again later in the year.

Super hardy as well so will come back year after year no bother at all.

Good shout. Chives, being an allium, complement all sorts, from a simple potato salad to a number of fish dishes, soups etc.

They are also good bedfellows for other plantings as they deter a lot of mites, IIRC.

[Callum_62]

Planted my wee lollipop lilacs today.

Look a bit lonely as we wait for the 3x 6 footers to arrive

Think they will look great when a bit larger and in full bloomhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200530/e607de10083f8489fa8c723b8d5f2d62.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200530/9957f098badd429ef2eeae1e905c40fc.jpg

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[stu in nottingham]

Every summer, for what's the best part of forty years I've grown tomatoes amongst other things. The usual routine is to buy 6-8 cordon tomatoes such as Shirley, Alicante, Gardeners Delight and maybe one or two novelty ones such as tiger skin or yellow toms. The method I've used has generally been to buy grow bags and empty the material into large pots. I find they grow better this way. They can also be moved around if need be.

Always found it quite relaxing to come home from work and potter around with a watering can, nipping out the side shoots on the plants. I can't use that many fruit but I do like to wander outside and pick a couple straight off the plant and eat them.

This year it's been tricky with garden centres and nurseries being closed. Many do delivery sure but it's not worthwhile to buy a minimum order of £40 or something just to grow a few tomatoes and lettuce plants. I finally found a local publlic park where the Council Parks Department grows plants and delivered for nothing.

For the first time I'm trying tumbling tomatoes 'Tumbling Tom', grown in containers. I hear good things about this method and I wonder if anyone here grows them? If mine are half as good as these ones I'll be happy!

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/bc/05/a9/bc05a9aa4c2b9fa4d9350ab0bc4daa0c.jpg

[greenlex]

We get quite a good amount of protection from these big boys

Howling a gale now but our garden appears to be quite well protected.... Watching they massive chestnut trees swaying about is quite something though.

Definately need to invest in a leaf blower [emoji23]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200523/d0cd37062b8b4d2edffcf29c5dc90544.jpg

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk
Prevailing wind break right there Callum if your in the part I think you are.

[hibsbollah]

Every summer, for what's the best part of forty years I've grown tomatoes amongst other things. The usual routine is to buy 6-8 cordon tomatoes such as Shirley, Alicante, Gardeners Delight and maybe one or two novelty ones such as tiger skin or yellow toms. The method I've used has generally been to buy grow bags and empty the material into large pots. I find they grow better this way. They can also be moved around if need be.

Always found it quite relaxing to come home from work and potter around with a watering can, nipping out the side shoots on the plants. I can't use that many fruit but I do like to wander outside and pick a couple straight off the plant and eat them.

This year it's been tricky with garden centres and nurseries being closed. Many do delivery sure but it's not worthwhile to buy a minimum order of £40 or something just to grow a few tomatoes and lettuce plants. I finally found a local publlic park where the Council Parks Department grows plants and delivered for nothing.

For the first time I'm trying tumbling tomatoes 'Tumbling Tom', grown in containers. I hear good things about this method and I wonder if anyone here grows them? If mine are half as good as these ones I'll be happy!

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/bc/05/a9/bc05a9aa4c2b9fa4d9350ab0bc4daa0c.jpg


I’m like you, I enjoy going through the plant pinching out the side shoots...I just love the smell of tomato plants. Gardeners delight are my usual variety, although I haven’t had time to do it for a few years and the ones I’ve got going this year (called ‘yellow pear’)I think I got started too late to amount to much. When I had more time on my hands I started them from seed in January.

[Just_Jimmy]

So I widened the bed I was making and I've finished. Hopefully it'll grow into something good.

I tried to go for stuff that would grow into the space. Low maintenance and bee friendly.

Ignore the grass - it's new turf.

Now I sleep [emoji23]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200531/f22b86e7ef8c142bcc30275f8184f414.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200531/432cfd2aa8a76a7902b7178de95b7e75.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

So I widened the bed I was making and I've finished. Hopefully it'll grow into something good.

Ignore the grass - it's new turf.

Now I sleep [emoji23]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200531/f22b86e7ef8c142bcc30275f8184f414.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200531/432cfd2aa8a76a7902b7178de95b7e75.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

Good luck!

We have some planting and sowing to do, just been a bit too hot and high on the pollen count to spend a lot of time outside today. Plus there is sheer disgust from the birds if I get in their way.......

[degenerated]

I know nowt about plants as 'er indoors is the expert in that field, however I did get round to putting my Ranomes out :greengrinhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200531/2b241a340fac28b8842ccae15ab8032d.jpg

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[stu in nottingham]

The fox cubs I planted last month are coming up well.

https://lifesly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1590899212_People-shared-cute-foxes-and-their-cubs-vomiting-in-their-yard.jpg

[Mibbes Aye]

The fox cubs I planted last month are coming up well.

https://lifesly.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1590899212_People-shared-cute-foxes-and-their-cubs-vomiting-in-their-yard.jpg

They have flowered beautifully. Are you watering every day?

Send me some cuttings if you get the chance, I might give them a go up here.

[Mibbes Aye]

Anyone sowed mustard seeds? I like the idea but appreciate have missed the window, it seems to be an April thing. From what I have read I have the right soil and potential placement for them, so maybe next year.

[Callum_62]

Planted my new Japanese maple today. Will grow a little bit taller but will look much nicer when it starts to cascade downwards

Just waiting on my big cali lilacs for either side.... https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200602/9f6159a561c22384ab14d4a4156a0fed.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200602/ffd7f0c0baff956400f2176c1c3a46bd.jpg

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[GreenNWhiteArmy]

Great Thread! Couple of questions

1) How "easy" is it for a relative novice to lay decking? Perfectly square 4.8m and the surface is relatively flat (albeit grass and slabs down there just now

2) Treating grass - mine is a bit of a shambles tbh. it gets sun all day but just so patchy. is the process of growing new grass on top easy enough or am I better re-turfing?

[Mibbes Aye]

Great Thread! Couple of questions

1) How "easy" is it for a relative novice to lay decking? Perfectly square 4.8m and the surface is relatively flat (albeit grass and slabs down there just now

2) Treating grass - mine is a bit of a shambles tbh. it gets sun all day but just so patchy. is the process of growing new grass on top easy enough or am I better re-turfing?

I am not the expert on this as I have only laid decking once. There will be others who can offer far more-informed advice than me. But anyway :greengrin

As level as you can make the surface helps. Leaving a modicum of space in the decking helps with drainage - others might advise but I think you want it running over grass for preference.

As desirable as decking is, it interferes with the natural habitat and the drainage in your garden. Make sure you have a good sense of where your rainwater is going to go.

Other tip, if you have a good deal on decking then it is worth buying more to make your own raised beds. It doesn’t take much effort, a hammer, some nails and a YouTube video will walk you through it. Then you have beds for starting to try and grow whatever you like.

As for the grass, it is a difficult one. I am more than happy to be corrected by others but I think we are at the stage of the year where we just have to suck it up, most especially because lockdown has reduced air pollution. Best bet is making sure it is watered, then once we hit autumn, maybe consider digging up and transferring ‘good’ to the problem spots. You shouldn’t need to re-seed normally. I really do think we have hit a perfect storm of massively reduced air pollution, very warm weather. I don’t have the expertise to comment but there is a massive increase in wildlife activity and a massive increase in people attending to their gardens. What I do know is that the pollen count seems to be through the roof. As for your grass patches, if they are in sunny spots then watering seems sensible. It might be worth watching out for what birdlife they attract. That is sometimes an indicator of the soil and what the birds expect to find - blackbirds, but more so bigger species like jackdaws, rooks, or crows if you get them.
.

[Callum_62]

Had a visitor (4 of them actually) to our garden last night

Never seen that before

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200604/621ffe23d16c962e6271d6a331680118.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200604/2dfe13aa27eb7a468679fcc45e2fc88c.jpg

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[Mibbes Aye]

Had a visitor (4 of them actually) to our garden last night

Never seen that before

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200604/621ffe23d16c962e6271d6a331680118.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200604/2dfe13aa27eb7a468679fcc45e2fc88c.jpg

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Nice photos.

[Caversham Green]

Every summer, for what's the best part of forty years I've grown tomatoes amongst other things. The usual routine is to buy 6-8 cordon tomatoes such as Shirley, Alicante, Gardeners Delight and maybe one or two novelty ones such as tiger skin or yellow toms. The method I've used has generally been to buy grow bags and empty the material into large pots. I find they grow better this way. They can also be moved around if need be.

Always found it quite relaxing to come home from work and potter around with a watering can, nipping out the side shoots on the plants. I can't use that many fruit but I do like to wander outside and pick a couple straight off the plant and eat them.

This year it's been tricky with garden centres and nurseries being closed. Many do delivery sure but it's not worthwhile to buy a minimum order of £40 or something just to grow a few tomatoes and lettuce plants. I finally found a local publlic park where the Council Parks Department grows plants and delivered for nothing.

For the first time I'm trying tumbling tomatoes 'Tumbling Tom', grown in containers. I hear good things about this method and I wonder if anyone here grows them? If mine are half as good as these ones I'll be happy!

https://i.pinimg.com/564x/bc/05/a9/bc05a9aa4c2b9fa4d9350ab0bc4daa0c.jpg

I grew a tumbling variety in an old chimney pot a couple of years ago. Very easy to grow and I got a huge crop of very sweet cherry tomatoes. I don't remember what the variety was called but they weren't Tumbling Toms - possibly Tomazing. I've always intended to do it again, but other things got in the way. I can recommend it though.

PS I'll be interested in your feedback on the Tumbling Toms to decide whether I should try them.

[Dmas]

I’ve laid down new turf after moving a patio also replaced bad patches in the lawn as well, new turf is looking brilliant well chuffed with it however I’ve now got 2 toned lawn, brilliant new grass and old grass full of clover and daisies is there anything I can do to get it all matching other than buying more turf? Sickener is I ordered way over what I needed and probably had enough to relay the whole place but a lack of space for the dug out stuff meant I sold what I didn’t need off hugely regretting it now

[greenlex]

Had a visitor (4 of them actually) to our garden last night

Never seen that before

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200604/621ffe23d16c962e6271d6a331680118.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200604/2dfe13aa27eb7a468679fcc45e2fc88c.jpg

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk Best check under the stairs for Harry Potter.:greengrin I’ve just been a walk down your way this morning Callum. I noticed most of the houses have solar panels that look like they are part of the nw house “deal”. Does your house have such a thing and if so what’s the script with them regards your leccy etc?

[Mibbes Aye]

My next door neighbour is retired and a passionate gardener. Got some cuttings from him and the promise of more, for planting. First ones went in to beds today. He has also agreed to do a walk around the garden and offer the benefit of his experience re the various things and patches we have.

Quick question, as there are conflicting opinions on the usually reliable internet :greengrin

Starting tomatoes at this time of year - hanging, grow bag, in the greenhouse, not in the greenhouse. Or is it too late and I need to leave it until next year?

[goosano]

My next door neighbour is retired and a passionate gardener. Got some cuttings from him and the promise of more, for planting. First ones went in to beds today. He has also agreed to do a walk around the garden and offer the benefit of his experience re the various things and patches we have.

Quick question, as there are conflicting opinions on the usually reliable internet :greengrin

Starting tomatoes at this time of year - hanging, grow bag, in the greenhouse, not in the greenhouse. Or is it too late and I need to leave it until next year?

Have you got plants? If you attempt it, it has to be in the greenhouse now. My plants are 3 feet high and setting fruit already

[Mibbes Aye]

Have you got plants? If you attempt it, it has to be in the greenhouse now. My plants are 3 feet high and setting fruit already

Got seeds, got compost, got grpwbags, got greenhouse, just not got round to it - work is around the clock, then there are children and then are watching boxsets on TV! :greengrin

I have a brilliant wall chart I got years ago from the massive organic place in North Wales, that sets out exactly when you plant everything, but not managed to follow it this year. Combination of a new garden and lockdown has got in the way. Still, managed some planting and picked up lots of intel on what flowers in our beds at various points

[hibsbollah]

Got seeds, got compost, got grpwbags, got greenhouse, just not got round to it - work is around the clock, then there are children and then are watching boxsets on TV! :greengrin

I have a brilliant wall chart I got years ago from the massive organic place in North Wales, that sets out exactly when you plant everything, but not managed to follow it this year. Combination of a new garden and lockdown has got in the way. Still, managed some planting and picked up lots of intel on what flowers in our beds at various points

Definitely too late if all you have is seeds. Start them off in January instead.

[Mibbes Aye]

Definitely too late if all you have is seeds. Start them off in January instead.

Cheers. Work means we are at home but funnily enough busier than we would normally be. Tomatoes are my priority. I have had home grown from neighbours in a couple of previous houses and the flavour is simply beyond the pale.

[goosano]

Definitely too late if all you have is seeds. Start them off in January instead.

Agreed

[Stairway 2 7]

Thread has inspired me to do first time gardening so relaxing to forget about what's going in the world. Just moved into a flat garden unloved, I got a load of hanging baskets and filled with herbs and flowers. I've got two 4 metres strips of ground round the lawn I've weeded. Not sure whether to have flowers for colour or veg which I would love can I mix and match sections. It's shaded 50% of the day and is it too late for most things now, any help appreciated

[Mibbes Aye]

I would say yes, to mix and match, especially if it is a strip. You get more variety of colour and there are certain combinations of flowers and veg that support each other in deterring aphids, slugs etc.

I am far from an expert but I would suggest checking out what suits the light in your garden and take it from there. And don’t expect things to work, it feels a lot of trial and a lot more error for me :greengrin. Though it is amazing how some things just work fantastically.

[Stairway 2 7]

I would say yes, to mix and match, especially if it is a strip. You get more variety of colour and there are certain combinations of flowers and veg that support each other in deterring aphids, slugs etc.

I am far from an expert but I would suggest checking out what suits the light in your garden and take it from there. And don’t expect things to work, it feels a lot of trial and a lot more error for me :greengrin. Though it is amazing how some things just work fantastically.

I'll go in pessimistic and be delighted if some of it works ha. Appreciate it will give it some research thanks

[Andy Bee]

I know absolutely nothing about gardening but I've bitten the bullet and finally got round to starting some major works in my back garden. I'll be back into this thread when I've finished for some planting ideas if that's OK?

40m2 of 15yr old decking was the first to go.

23586

I was then left with this mess.

23587

On Tuesday some materials arrived and the motivation is still there, raring to go.

23588

By Thursday with the help of my mate we've got founds dug (by hand) and concrete poured, motivation is really starting to wane now and I really need to get me one of those Thai massages, my back is burning, calves burning, arms burning and there's a very good chance I'm going to batter my son just to release some stress.

23589

Today we've laid around half the retaining wall for a raised patio. I'm going to render that ASAP before pavers arrive on Tuesday. I wanted the wall wider than just a standard 100 or 140mm block so we've laid 140mm blocks on their back because that worked out the most cost effective but these bassas are heavy, very heavy, I believe they're known in the trade as "Grunters" and I fully understand why. Motivation is now non existent, I'm functioning on autopilot.

23590

Hopefully we'll have the wall finished tomorrow weather permitting and then the enviable task of getting around 7t of bottoming and hardcore into the patio area to get it to height, cannae wait.

[Callum_62]

Finished my planting for this year pretty much... Might plant some tree lillies a bit later but for now, garden pretty much finished

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/55380614963892ceda95d3c419811ae6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/3844e70811a2cf9448101049b74081ff.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200616/b80de843607f0337d4efc0af9f687c79.jpg

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Andy Bee]

All very tidy indeed Callum, sadly it'll be a while before I can say that about mine but it's getting there.

[Andy Bee]

I've built a planter as part of a retaining wall and I'm nearly ready to fill it, it's 300mm wide by roughly 7m long and 1m deep in an L shape. What materials would be best for filling it, I'm thinking 1t of pea gravel then top off with top soil, any recommendations on something else I should be using for best results?

23671

[Pretty Boy]

My tomato plants have started fruiting. I'm far more proud of that than it really merits.

[hibsbollah]

My tomato plants have started fruiting. I'm far more proud of that than it really merits.

You’re right to be proud, I’ve grown some from seed and due to laziness on my part they are now spindly little specimens with no chance of producing anything. You really need to be on top of tomatoes on a daily basis to be successful. I like the smell of the leaves which is something.

[goosano]

My tomato plants have started fruiting. I'm far more proud of that than it really merits.

Well done. Have you got them outside or inside?

I've got mine in the greenhouse in growbags and planters and the plants are almost as tall as me now. With 4 sets of fruit on each plant I'll pinch out the tops now. Plenty of fruit setting and hopefully can pick them in a week or so

2367523676

[Mibbes Aye]

I know absolutely nothing about gardening but I've bitten the bullet and finally got round to starting some major works in my back garden. I'll be back into this thread when I've finished for some planting ideas if that's OK?

40m2 of 15yr old decking was the first to go.

23586

I was then left with this mess.

23587

On Tuesday some materials arrived and the motivation is still there, raring to go.

23588

By Thursday with the help of my mate we've got founds dug (by hand) and concrete poured, motivation is really starting to wane now and I really need to get me one of those Thai massages, my back is burning, calves burning, arms burning and there's a very good chance I'm going to batter my son just to release some stress.

23589

Today we've laid around half the retaining wall for a raised patio. I'm going to render that ASAP before pavers arrive on Tuesday. I wanted the wall wider than just a standard 100 or 140mm block so we've laid 140mm blocks on their back because that worked out the most cost effective but these bassas are heavy, very heavy, I believe they're known in the trade as "Grunters" and I fully understand why. Motivation is now non existent, I'm functioning on autopilot.

23590

Hopefully we'll have the wall finished tomorrow weather permitting and then the enviable task of getting around 7t of bottoming and hardcore into the patio area to get it to height, cannae wait.

I have only just got round to reading this properly. Tremendous post :aok:

[Andy Bee]

I have only just got round to reading this properly. Tremendous post :aok:

Cheers MA, I've been pretty busy with it last week setting the beads on the walls for the render but unfortunately the weather is holding us off, it's either too hot or raining, the serious work is hopefully over now though. I've pootered around fitting hot and cold outside taps and a couple of double outside sockets.

23706

23707

I've also fitted outside LED WiFi lights round the wall which were a pain to corecut into the concrete blocks but the results are, I think, worth it.

23708

Pavers are ready to go down after I give the hardcore a whacking but I can't lay them until the render is on, that's a job I'm really looking forward to.

23709

Then I suppose I'll really need to think about the hard bit, gardening, planting and choosing plants, I'm totally lost there.

[calumhibee1]

On the topic of gardening can anyone recommend a landscaper? Looking for someone to rip out my garden, maybe need to level it out, install new fencing, decking and artificial turf.

Tried contacting a few online but most seem busy and not wanting to take on new business.

[overdrive]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.

[Wembley67]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.

Spike mat just underneath the surface of their favourite area...https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZZ3NBBT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_piZdFbB07HR5Q

It's the only thing that works over and over again.

[Just_Jimmy]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.Get a Dug.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.

I think I posted this on here earlier, maybe on the Wildlife thread. You can buy lion dung online. Technically I don’t think it is dung but is scented to resemble it. I tried it in a previous property because we had lots of little birds nesting on hedged walls and it seemed to have an effect. Anyway the point is, the cats are intimidated instinctively as they are quite territorial and recognise that something much bigger has made that his manor.

[RyeSloan]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.

Disappear the cat?

No seriously I had some success with a cat scarer device previously.

I feel your pain though as for a long time I had the neighbours cat doing the same in my garden and it’s pretty disgusting.

[Scouse Hibee]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.

Air rifle.

[Pete]

Anyway the point is, the cats are intimidated instinctively as they are quite territorial and recognise that something much bigger has made that his manor.

So would human dung and piss not work in the same way?🤔

[overdrive]

Get a Dug.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

No chance. I’m phobic of dogs

[Just_Jimmy]

No chance. I’m phobic of dogsSo are cats. That's the point [emoji23]

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

[Hibrandenburg]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.

I got one of these a couple of tears ago and haven't had any cats since. I got one with a solar charger to save on batteries.

https://youtu.be/SpS27Q9Civk

[Mibbes Aye]

So would human dung and piss not work in the same way?🤔

I was going to offer to do some on-site research but Mrs Mibbes (and in fairness the neighbours) were against it.

Anyway can’t recall the last time I saw a cat in the garden since the rooks took over the place. Maybe that is the answer - attract rooks.

[Jones28]

Sonic devices with sensors that emit a high pitched sound seem to have worked for us. We had awful problems with cats ****ting in our garden until last summer when we bought these and laid a lawn. Little *******s.

[danhibees1875]

I have mushrooms sprouting up through my grass. I've removed them by hand but they keep coming up.

Google suggests it's actually a sign that the soil quality is decent and coupled with watering is inevitable to happen. But once I know about them is there a way to stop them? Weed killer? :dunno:

[RyeSloan]

I have mushrooms sprouting up through my grass. I've removed them by hand but they keep coming up.

Google suggests it's actually a sign that the soil quality is decent and coupled with watering is inevitable to happen. But once I know about them is there a way to stop them? Weed killer? :dunno:

No expert but I’m pretty sure the spores are carried on the wind so there is not much you can do.

You can scarifying and aerate as well as feed the lawn to try and keep it dense to deny them space but even then they can come back. Esp. If your garden has the right conditions for them.

My simple solution is just to cut the grass with a bit of regularity and accept the fact they will occasionally still appear. When they do just mow the lawn again!

[danhibees1875]

No expert but I’m pretty sure the spores are carried on the wind so there is not much you can do.

You can scarifying and aerate as well as feed the lawn to try and keep it dense to deny them space but even then they can come back. Esp. If your garden has the right conditions for them.

My simple solution is just to cut the grass with a bit of regularity and accept the fact they will occasionally still appear. When they do just mow the lawn again!

Feeding the lawn to deny them space sounds a good plan for now. :agree:

But yeah, I might just have to accept they'll pop up every now and then between mow's.

[danhibees1875]

They will survive. Probably not much will happen this year but next year you will get plenty of growth and strawberries

You were right about not much happening this year. :greengrin

I've got one little one threatening to turn into something but it'll need to get a move on as it's already feeling quite late in the summer!

On the plus side, the plants themselves all look quite healthy! I've had some sideshoots from them too which I've pegged down into other soil and hoping they'll grow a few extra plants.

My plan was to dig them all up and put them into a better, bigger, planter for next year.

Should I just leave them out and unprotected over winter?

[Mibbes Aye]

You were right about not much happening this year. :greengrin

I've got one little one threatening to turn into something but it'll need to get a move on as it's already feeling quite late in the summer!

On the plus side, the plants themselves all look quite healthy! I've had some sideshoots from them too which I've pegged down into other soil and hoping they'll grow a few extra plants.

My plan was to dig them all up and put them into a better, bigger, planter for next year.

Should I just leave them out and unprotected over winter?

I have strawberries out and we are seeing some small ones, not a lot though. They were potted but I moved them to soil. I am early in my education as a Jedi gardener but I think strawberries are fairly safe in winter if it is relatively sheltered and there is a risk if you bring them in to something too warm. So an unheated greenhouse might be fine but if you were heating it then that might be problematic.

Trial and error. Everyone I talk to tells me it takes years to work out your soil, the sun pattern, then you are dependent on weather changes. All frustrating and never predictable. I guess that makes being a Hibs fan is the perfect preparation!

We have just lifted some podded peas. They were simple to grow and we just ate them raw. The flavour was incredible, compared to what you would get from sugarsnaps or mangetout in the supermarket or grocer, and I love mangetout.

Got leeks, carrots, onions all ready to pluck and mounds of parsley and mint, plus a well-established rhubarb plot that keeps renewing itself.

Looking at fennel, kohlrabi, horseradish, kale, celeriac and radishes when the time is right - any tips are welcome

[goosano]

I have strawberries out and we are seeing some small ones, not a lot though. They were potted but I moved them to soil. I am early in my education as a Jedi gardener but I think strawberries are fairly safe in winter if it is relatively sheltered and there is a risk if you bring them in to something too warm. So an unheated greenhouse might be fine but if you were heating it then that might be problematic.

Trial and error. Everyone I talk to tells me it takes years to work out your soil, the sun pattern, then you are dependent on weather changes. All frustrating and never predictable. I guess that makes being a Hibs fan is the perfect preparation!

We have just lifted some podded peas. They were simple to grow and we just ate them raw. The flavour was incredible, compared to what you would get from sugarsnaps or mangetout in the supermarket or grocer, and I love mangetout.

Got leeks, carrots, onions all ready to pluck and mounds of parsley and mint, plus a well-established rhubarb plot that keeps renewing itself.

Looking at fennel, kohlrabi, horseradish, kale, celeriac and radishes when the time is right - any tips are welcome

Strawberries do absolutely fine over winter here in Scotland no matter the temperature. A lot of the leaves turn brown or drop off but the plants will come away fine in spring. There will be plenty of runners at this time of year and you can separate them from the parent. Just let the plants have a bit of space from each other to lessen the risk of diseases and ensure decent sized fruits. All my fruits came between the end of June and the start of August.

I've not had much success with fennel. The bulbs have been small and it is probably the lack of real heat that we have here that is the reason. Kale is very easy to grow. Cavalo nero is also very easy to grow and I prefer the taste and texture to kale. Radishes are also very easy to grow and if you plant now there is still time to get a crop as they take 4 to 6 weeks to grow.

I've had a very good year with almost everything growing well. Potatoes were enormous but unfortunately a small number were affected by wireworm. Onions and shallots grew really well. I'm harvesting peas, green beans, courgettes, salad, rocket, beetroot, leeks, collard greens, blueberries, wineberries and blackberries now. Tomatoes and cucumbers still going strong in the greenhouse. I've started lettuce, mizuna greens and greek cress in the greenhouse soil to keep salad leaves going late into the year.

[danhibees1875]

I have strawberries out and we are seeing some small ones, not a lot though. They were potted but I moved them to soil. I am early in my education as a Jedi gardener but I think strawberries are fairly safe in winter if it is relatively sheltered and there is a risk if you bring them in to something too warm. So an unheated greenhouse might be fine but if you were heating it then that might be problematic.

Trial and error. Everyone I talk to tells me it takes years to work out your soil, the sun pattern, then you are dependent on weather changes. All frustrating and never predictable. I guess that makes being a Hibs fan is the perfect preparation!

We have just lifted some podded peas. They were simple to grow and we just ate them raw. The flavour was incredible, compared to what you would get from sugarsnaps or mangetout in the supermarket or grocer, and I love mangetout.

Got leeks, carrots, onions all ready to pluck and mounds of parsley and mint, plus a well-established rhubarb plot that keeps renewing itself.

Looking at fennel, kohlrabi, horseradish, kale, celeriac and radishes when the time is right - any tips are welcome

Sounds like you've a lot going on! An apt comparison to supporting Hibs too - I'm in the years of turmoil with no end product phase. :greengrin

Good to hear about the strawberries being hardy enough to hey through winter. I planted them this summer in a tiered herb planter so I don't think they've got enough soil (although they've grown a fair bit since I planted them). I'm thinking once the off-shoots have established themselves I will replant them in a larger container that gives them a bit more space and depth of soil.

[Mibbes Aye]

Sounds like you've a lot going on! An apt comparison to supporting Hibs too - I'm in the years of turmoil with no end product phase. :greengrin

Good to hear about the strawberries being hardy enough to hey through winter. I planted them this summer in a tiered herb planter so I don't think they've got enough soil (although they've grown a fair bit since I planted them). I'm thinking once the off-shoots have established themselves I will replant them in a larger container that gives them a bit more space and depth of soil.

Hopefully someone else will chip in with advice on the strawbs, I am no expert :greengrin

I have found replanting to be a common theme for certain things. I took some mint from a large pot and put it to soil at the weekend. The roots were practically wrapping around themselves. I have tried to contain it in one section but I know that is maybe hope rather than reality.

We inherited a large patch in the garden that had been turned over for veg when we moved here a year ago. Things like kohlrabi and fresh horseradish feature in recipes I would like to make but are not really readily available in the Borders other than online. Far cry from when I lived in Morningside and could get whatever I wanted from Waitrose!

As far as I understand, strawberries and their foliage will catch, and grow and grow. I suspect you will be replanting, but just be mindful of a hard frost.

[RyeSloan]

My experience of strawberries is they are pretty shallow rooted. They also over winter with no probs what so ever. The can be split and replanted as well as the runners lifted (once rooted) and re-positioned.

In other words even with minimal care and with a bit of space they should do fine.

Not sure about them in a herb planter though, sounds a bit restricted...more for the spread than the depth. Much better in a raised bed with a bit of space but there might be some varieties that work OK in a herb planter...also depends on the size of the planter I suppose!!

I have seen some suggestion that you cover them with straw or whatever to protect them but I’ve always just let them be and barring a bit of tidying of dead leaves or a bit of spacing / re-positioning they have just cracked on regardless!

[sleeping giant]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.

I had this problem and tried lion dung, sonic deterents , water deterents , orange peel , lemon peel etc.
None worked.

What did work is cat biscuits.
Get a big cheap box of small cat biscuits and sprinkle them around the targeted areas.
The cats wont go where there is a hint of a source of food.

It absolutely works.

[Caversham Green]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.

I was told used teabags soaked with Deep Heat and buried just under the surface works. I haven't tried it myself so can't vouch for it, but maybe worth a try?

[beensaidbefore]

Anyone any tips for stopping my next door neighbour’s cat from pooing in my garden, or even better not venturing into my garden at all?

The garden is absolutely stinking of cat poo and its favourite bit seems to be one particular planter. It has destroyed a whole bunch of recently planted plants from walking over it to get to its favourite toilet spot.

I’ve tried growing garlic, coffee grounds, citrus peel and those dog/cat repellent pellets all to no avail. The bugger has started coming into my house as well, so I now can’t have a downstairs window open or kitchen door open.


Fling the keech back into your neighbours garden and scare the hell out of the cat when we it comes near. Plastic bottle filled with stones works, shake it, throw it etc. Try make sure it realises its never welcome and you always pose a threat. Far fewer and less frequent visits from the local moggies after a couple of months. Only downside is you look like an extra from one flew over the cuckoo's nest!

Another alternative is putting thin green canes pointed in various directions in your flower bed where they do their business. Seems to work.

[Just Alf]

Fling the keech back into your neighbours garden and scare the hell out of the cat when we it comes near. Plastic bottle filled with stones works, shake it, throw it etc. Try make sure it realises its never welcome and you always pose a threat. Far fewer and less frequent visits from the local moggies after a couple of months. Only downside is you look like an extra from one flew over the cuckoo's nest!

Another alternative is putting thin green canes pointed in various directions in your flower bed where they do their business. Seems to work.I had a similar problem, neighbour has 6 cats :(

I had a pile of fresh chillies going out of date, chopped the lot up and scattered it across my grass (the problem area!).... no issues since but the neighbour the other side seems to be a bit moany re the cats recently :greengrin

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

Took some carrots out the ground yesterday evening and made a coleslaw to go with a salad. The flavour obviously is masked a bit in the coleslaw, but I tried some after I first grated it and it was just a different world from shop-bought.

What was funny was the carrots were all different shapes and sizes and it really reinforced how much the shops and distributors demand consistent shape and size. Anyway, I wasn’t expecting great results given this was the first time we had planted them but even getting a handful, to make a coleslaw with, felt like a massive achievement :greengrin

Will be pulling some leeks up tomorrow for a bacon, potato and leak gratin (red meat day tomorrow). They look very ready.

I just need to find find something to do with my flatleaf parsley. It is starting to become a hedge rather than a herb!

[Andy Bee]

Took some carrots out the ground yesterday evening and made a coleslaw to go with a salad. The flavour obviously is masked a bit in the coleslaw, but I tried some after I first grated it and it was just a different world from shop-bought.

What was funny was the carrots were all different shapes and sizes and it really reinforced how much the shops and distributors demand consistent shape and size. Anyway, I wasn’t expecting great results given this was the first time we had planted them but even getting a handful, to make a coleslaw with, felt like a massive achievement :greengrin

Will be pulling some leeks up tomorrow for a bacon, potato and leak gratin (red meat day tomorrow). They look very ready.

I just need to find find something to do with my flatleaf parsley. It is starting to become a hedge rather than a herb!

Finely chop a handful of parsley, finely chop 3 garlic cloves and mix in a bowl with a tbspn of oil and a tbspn of water, season with salt and pepper. Boil some baby white potatoes until almost done then take them out and lightly squash the top of them with the back of a fork, spread the mixture over the top of each and stick them in the oven at fan 180 for approx 15 mins until golden.

[Mibbes Aye]

Finely chop a handful of parsley, finely chop 3 garlic cloves and mix in a bowl with a tbspn of oil and a tbspn of water, season with salt and pepper. Boil some baby white potatoes until almost done then take them out and lightly squash the top of them with the back of a fork, spread the mixture over the top of each and stick them in the oven at fan 180 for approx 15 mins until golden.

That sounds great, thanks for that :aok:

[Moulin Yarns]

Hopefully someone else will chip in with advice on the strawbs, I am no expert :greengrin

I have found replanting to be a common theme for certain things. I took some mint from a large pot and put it to soil at the weekend. The roots were practically wrapping around themselves. I have tried to contain it in one section but I know that is maybe hope rather than reality.

We inherited a large patch in the garden that had been turned over for veg when we moved here a year ago. Things like kohlrabi and fresh horseradish feature in recipes I would like to make but are not really readily available in the Borders other than online. Far cry from when I lived in Morningside and could get whatever I wanted from Waitrose!

As far as I understand, strawberries and their foliage will catch, and grow and grow. I suspect you will be replanting, but just be mindful of a hard frost.

Morningside? Waitrose? And you call yourself a socialist? 🤣😉

[Mibbes Aye]

Morningside? Waitrose? And you call yourself a socialist? 🤣😉

It is not just Tories who are entitled to ready access to pomegranate molasses, dried barberries and black garlic :rolleyes: :greengrin

[Moulin Yarns]

It is not just Tories who are entitled to ready access to pomegranate molasses, dried barberries and black garlic :rolleyes: :greengrin

You do realise that tories are entitled to anything they want, everyone else has to work for it. 😉