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Fuchsia dying or struggling this year
Has anyone else had problems with fuchsia plants this year? I usually grow four or five different varieties around the garden, but this year I have only one healthy plant which is a hardy one which survived the winter (the only fuchsia that did). All my other hardy fuchsias died, and I bought replacements most of which…
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Recommendations - Non Branded Grass Feed & Grass Seed
Hi, wondering if anyone can recommend a a retailer that sells non branded bulk: * Grass Seed * Summer Lawn Feed * Autumn Lawn Feed I normally but grass seed in 5 - 10kg bags from Amazon but that's become quite expensive too. As for the feed, there are a lot of brand names out there but surely must be some retailers selling…
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Sarah Raven - some shockingly bad feedback
I’m reading a lot of negativity about Sarah Raven these days, both on Trustpilot and in gardening forums. Anyone else having problems with them these days? They used to be first rate, but not any longer it seems. Looks to be going the way of Thompson and Morgan - once they get to a certain size they cease to care.
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Historic gardens going into administration
Hester Combe house and gardens have gone into administration due to low visitor numbers. This is a beautiful garden that I've known and watched for decades. I've known it before it became commercial and followed it through. Luytens and jeykll garden. It was abandoned but interesting. It was restored in the flower area and…
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Hazel tree second flowering?
We've got a lovely council owned Turkish hazel outside our house, and in addition to nuts (not too many this year) there's now a second flush of catkins and some of the leaves have brown dried patches - is this likely just heat/weather stress?
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Gourds and apple questions
I was given some gourds seeds, labelled 'assorted Gourds, not edible', no information beyond that. I have gourds growing now, I have no idea how big they grow, when to pick them, do I dry them and if so how. The plants have that powdery leaf fungus so many leaves have died but new ones are growing. Anyone, any…
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Best solution for weeding block paving?
I have a large block paved drive which I always weed using a wire brush, unfortunately as i get older it is getting harder and injuring my back. Don't normally like using chemicals but does anybody have any suggestions on what they use which is effective and easy to do?
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Potted bay tree going to pot
My pyramid bay that I've loved for 6 years has succumbed to the dry heat, hardly any rain for 3mts. It's been watered and seems thoroughly but I can't get it out of the pot to check for a problem. The small end stems are dying now, more than half the leaves brown and it's beginning to get bugs in the foliage buds. I'd…
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Growing new grass with having dogs
Hi all, Has anybody ever grown new grass seed in their garden whilst having dogs. If so how did you do it? what was the fastest way to lay the grass seed how did you keep the dogs off the seeded area and is there any specialist seed that can be bought to be more tougher against the dogs urine? Any help would be most…
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How to get rid of weeds?
In the past I used to pull out the weeds by hand and use a weedkiller from supermarket. Now in my 60s my back is not what it used to be. Seen a weedkiller at screw fix which sounds powerful enough. Comes with a pump etc. Is it best to spray on weed or pull the weeds out and spray around the area? They grow between paving…
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Resilient plants (for a changing climate)
Hi All, I noticed this article in the latest issue of Gardens Illustrated and thought it worth mentioning as it claims "Five expert designers and plantspeople choose their top garden plants that are adaptable, beautiful and sure to grow happily whatever the weather throws at us" These 76 resilient plants chosen by…
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Garden Work In Progress
In the spirit of Working Mums thread, having actually seen through the eyes of anyone else [ not my own] how bad my ack garden actually looks, this is a thread where I'll be updating as I go along. You don't have to comment if you don't want to but you know when you do a job and then you take after pictures and you always…
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What's happened to my Acer!?
Morning all, Is anyone able to advise what may have happened to my Acer? Beautiful full bloom last year, lovely pink/red leaves all over, all seemed to be going well with growth through spring but then it seemed that only half the buds on the tree opened. Small buds can be seen on the one side but it's as if the growth has…
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Returfing lawn during water restrictions
I planned to replace the lawn this spring but didn't get round to it. Not a bad thing as Kent has been too hot for too long. Problem now is we have a hosepipe ban so is doing it in early October advisable? If the ban has not been lifted by then will I be wasting the money? Will climate change put a stop to ever being able…
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Bother that badger!
Don't get me wrong, I love seeing badgers in the right place, which I don't consider to be my garden! For context, we live near a couple of strips of woodland / wilderness, and there are definitely setts in the woodland. And I have seen one hurtling down the road and over into the woodland from the wilderness area. And our…
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Makeshift watering system when away on holiday?
Any good ideas for outside plants watering while away for a week please? Neighbours not available!
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Gardening apps
My husband has been looking at apps which can check plant leaves to advise the name of the plant, or to recognise various diseases. However, the apps he has found, although saying they're free, offer free for 7 days, followed by subscription charge. In true MSE style, he wondered whether there are any which are free, with…
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Squirrel Deterrent
We have 3 squirrels that frequently visit our garden, yes I know they're cute but they are causing damage to many of our smaller plants. I've tried the chilli and other plants options to deter them but with no great success. Has anyone any suggestions how to tackle this problem? Are Ultrasonic repellents worth trying? Look…
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Too Hot To Work In The Garden?
Having spent most of the winter gazing out the window and planning my new patio/landscaping in my mind, it he time has finally come and I really don't fancy the idea of working in this heat. Is anyone else putting off work due to the heat or am I just looking for excuses? :smiley:
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Bargain roadside plants
Stopped at one of those "plants for sale" signs by the roadside. Now I'm not exactly an inexperienced gardener, so I mainly bought these three (£2 each) on the basis that I didn't know what they were so they might be something unusual. I think "? SORRY" is Polemonium pauciflorum "Sulphur Trumpets", and "Lysimanchia White"…
