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Groundcover for clay sloped ground
Hi I have a large sloped bank that is heavy clay that is becoming a bit of a problem area. We usually strim rather than mow most of the garden as we are on uneven ground. Unfortunately this bank is far too sloped so as a result hasn't been cut and the grass is looking very bare and moss and ivy/weeds are taking over. I am…
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Clearing up mess from Suet Balls under Bird Feeder
My local birds, especially the sparrows, are loving the suet balls I am putting out for them in the garden. However a nasty mess is building up underneath on the patio slabs. The birds are feeding off the ground too, but not enough to keep it clear. Can anyone suggest a good natural way to clean up the current fat build…
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Cheap and easy ways to get rid of bugs on plants
Since I've been working at home, I've decorated my home office array of house plants. But unfortunately, they've suddenly become infested with with a range of small flies and bugs of some kind. I've tried washing the leaves down or placing the plants outside, but nothing seems to work! It's got to the point where they're…
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Replanting felled woodland
We’ve not long moved to Wales, there is a wooded area on the property and mid last year the previous owners felled 3-4 trees (I think redwoods), leaving a unnecessary clearing through the wooded area. This wasn’t done for any safety, disease or coppicing reasons. The fallen trees have been left on the floor and will be…
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Moving veg patch
I'm moving my veg patch to the other side of my garden to install a trampoline we inherited, I'm putting a membrane down with bark where the old veg patch was but I'm concerned that the potatoes will grow through this, we tried to remove as many as possible but its likely that some will remain. Can anyone advise what will…
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Duck deterrent!
Has anyone got any ideas for how I can deter ducks poo-ing around my front door. I've recently moved into a country lane and the neighbour's ducks roam freely. Which is great except that yet again I've come home and both the dog and I stepped out of the car into poo. I noticed and took my shoes off quickly but…
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Moving a Hosta
I am looking to move (and split) a Hosta or two but i am unsure of the best time to do it, some advise at spring when the growth has just started but others advise in winter when it is dormant so I am asking here if anyone has experience of moving a Hosta and when they did it.
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Bare root Privet hedge
Hi, I bought and planted about 120 bare root privet hedge plants around 6 weeks ago. I followed planting information found on you tube etc. and most of the plants seem to be ok, but maybe half a dozen or more seem to be dying. I just wondered what the expected survival rate would be? I also wanted to know if there is…
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Shrubs etc
Remember the olden days when you opened the Sunday paper and colour inserts fell out advertising cheap shrubs etc? Where do you go now for these?
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Winter sowing advice. Wanting to get a head start for a productive garden next year.
Hi all, I'm an average gardener with a fairly productive large garden but I really want to get ahead for early produce next year. I still have chard, sorrel, kale, perennial spinach and a modest 2 collard green plants to fill up this hungry gap of winter but it's now all very slow growing. I cleaned out my unheated and…
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Food for Wild Birds
Apologies if this has already been done before, maybe should also be in a different forum but had a search and can't find anything. Getting a lot of feathered friends visiting the garden just now which we are happy to encourage (fewer pigeons would be nice but ...). All sorts of tits, sparrows, robins, finches etc and some…
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Advice of pruning small apple trees please
So 2yrs ago I planted these and I know I should have pruned them last winter but they were so treasured as the first of a newly made garden from nothing I couldn't bring myself to do it.I got 3 huge Coxs and 1 unsucessful Bramley.The branches, to me, look too long to make a good shape and I'm getting no smaller ones off…
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Has anyone grown a pomegranate in the UK?
I have seen a frost hardy pomegranate tree which I am tempted to order. I live in the south, there is a sheltered sunny spot it could go, and according to the online shop, they manage to fruit. However, I've never heard of anyone growing them in the UK. People local to us do grow peaches, if that helps. TIA
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Suggestions for pigeons deterrents pl!
Pl can somebody suggests what I can use as deterrents to stop pigeons from perching on tree stumps and branches.? I am not anti pigeons but they are pooing all over the shed in the garden. I am thinking of reflective ribbons and birds scarer as seen on ebay. Thanks
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Clip top jars not sealing
These are glass clip top jars the ones that have the rubber seals. We seem to have a problem with the jars not sealing properly. The seals are all new. Quite a number of the jars that we have hot filled have no seal when we come to open them. Anybody have any idea as to what the problem might be ??
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Expensive Birds proofing not effective!
Have been having a hard time with nextdoor racing pigeons. The amount of poos on windows are disgusting and a health hazard. I have contacted pest control and spent £375 to use bird free optical gel and hedgehog brush in gutters. Was really upset to find poos again on windows sills and patio.after spending that much money.…
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Gardening Express scam
Gardening Express are behaving badly again. They've been advertising Monstera deliciosa 'Thai Constellation' (£109) but delivering Monstera deliciosa albo variegata, a much cheaper plant C. £50. The plants come with a label and a Plant Passport, however, Gardening Express claim that the label is 'generic', and that the…
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Strong Bean Poles/ Supports
A bit tired of naff bamboo canes snapping under the weight of over productive Borlotto! Is there a happy medium between a permanent Frame and flimsy bamboo for building a seriously robust bean A-Frame? All suggestions welcome !
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Meal Worms
Not strictly gardening I know but.... I like to put Meal Worms out for the Robins, but wherever I put them the larger Birds get then 1st. Has anyone made or know of something to use so that the Robins and any other small Birds get them?
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2ND CROP FIG USE. LATE RIPENING
It's been a bumper year:-) Late autumn/winter sun has done great work, all over again. Since leaf fall, many full size green ones are now dark and ripe, if more densely fleshed. Suggestions for use welcome:-) Boozy presents was 1st thought. I just wasn't expecting maybe 5kg more at this point of the year. Many thanks.
