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Sad cypress tree
Hello folks, I took a punt and ordered a pair of cypress trees online. One arrived healthy; full; and well. The other arrived ‘threadbare’; and with broken branches and crown. I would like to care for the second tree back to full health and a match to its partner. How do I do that? As always, simple instructions for the…
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Deciduous roses - or not?
Bit of a panic here. I bought a climbing rose because the scent was amazing, the colour right and they've been hard to find in these times.It's also a newly developed one 1999, and I've only bought old roses pre 1940's before. I've just seen that it's classed deciduous, then that 'roses are deciduous' and this isn't…
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Plant identification please
Hi everyone I was given this plant a couple of months ago and it hasn't changed. I have planted it partially shaded under a tree. What type of plant is it and how can I care for it please? Big thank you in advance for any advise
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Identify this Garden Tree, Can I cut it down?
Hi all We are buying a new house and it has this tree slap bang in the middle of the drive. If you look closely you can see that whatever it drips it has damaged the White car bonnet. I would like to identify the tree to see if I can cut it down. As far as I know the house is not in a conservation area. Thanks in advance…
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Bluebell bulbs
Hello, Would anyone be able to recommend where, ideally online, I may buy, good quality, bluebell bulbs? Since I have no experience with bulbs, I would also be grateful if someone might guide me on what is a reasonable price to pay for them. Many thanks and best wishes.
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Weeds in flowerbed
What is the best way to prepare the soil to be a flowerbed? I am in the process, turned the soil over and over, and over. In some bits I have sprayed weed killer, but I want to save some plants that are still in there. It hasn't been used as a flowerbed for quite some time, so there is grass and weeds. How do councils do…
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Leylandii too big - advice on what to do
Our house has big Leylandii hedges on two sides (planted years ago by previous owners). The hedges are in good condition and I really like the privacy they give us. I have been cutting the hedges for the last few years, but they are now getting out of hand, so wondered what options I have to make maintenance easier but…
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Starting a push bike and trailer gardening business?
Hi I am wondering if people think this can be somewhat successful. I am planning to start a gardening business, and to get my tools around I have built a 4ft x 2.8ft trailer (almost finished). Its big enough to carry main tools at once such as lawn mower, blower, hedgtrimmer, strimmer, petrol can, chainsaw etc. Do you…
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Protecting artificial grass from bird seed and mess
We’ve a small area of lawn that we’d like to lay as artificial grass (I know some people hate it), but we’d like to keep up our bird feeding station too. Our old lawn (it’s more a mud patch with a few blades of grass on it) has a few large lumps of hardened, dried sunflower seed mess where there smaller birds seem to drop…
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raised veg beds
Planning on building new raised beds late autumn and after opinions of the best materials to use. I am considering scaffold board, treated decking or breeze blocks. My original beds only lasted a couple of years they were a kit and despite being pressure treated are not doing very well! Bed size would be about meter square…
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Best place for quality bulbs.
Hi, I was about to order a selection of bulbs and plants from Sarah Raven in particular, tulips, allium, crocus & Asters. However I have just read the reviews. Allowing for covid they are still not good. Has anyone used them or has recommendations please for quality reasonably priced bulbs. Many thanks.
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Calathea Surprise in distress
Hello, Attached is a photo of my calathea surprise. It is being misted regularly. It gets the correct amount of indirect sunlight. It takes its own water from a reservoir so not over watered. My calathea medallion is thriving under the same conditions. Can someone tell me why the leaves on the Surprise look so unwell so…
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Sycamore
Sycamore seedlings abound in my garden. Not usually a problem as they are easy to remove, but I missed one in an area where I was more bothered about the alkanet. It is now about 18-24 inches tall and bushy, and very close to a yew tree. I need to decide whether to try and dig it out or resort to chemicals. Any ideas about…
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Pleached trees
I’m having to cut my fence down to regulations (1 metre high) and I need to put up some form of greenery to make up for the lost height. I have been googling for ideas and love the look of pleached trees but these are going to work out quite expensive. Are there any varieties that are cheaper or can this be done on a DIY…
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Dahlia Name
Hi, does anyone know the name of this Dahlia. It grows to about 5 feet tall, and has large purple or purple and white scraggy flowers. (I do like the flowers though) the flowers are about 6 to 10 inches across. Thought I would ask the clever gardeners on here
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cheapest screened topsoil bulk bags
HiPlan to fill our raised veg planters.May need at least 2-3 bulk bags to fill it To keep the costs down-who delivers cheapest screened topsoil ideally blended with compost
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Bay tree?
There is a small tree in my front garden. It looks like a bay but my ignorance is such that I wonder if there is anything else that looks like a bay but isn’t. In other words can I safely use the leaves In cooking? The garden was very overgrown when I bought the flat but sInce I cleared the weeds the presumed bay (and the…
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Lewisia plugs
Hi I have purchased 6 Lewisia plugs. Unhelpfully they arrived without any planting instructions. I’m planning to use multi purpose JI no.3 compost (because I already have some). Is that ok for an alpine? Can anyone tell me the minimum space I should leave between each plug when I plant them? Many thanks and best wishes.
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ZUCCHINI NOT FRUITING
HiOur Zucchni plants has lots of flowers but no fruits.I was told I may have to do pollination with the brush but I am confused as which is male and female flowersI have attached pictures of few flowers on the plant.Any ideas?
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Brown Jelly gunk in bird bath
I've had this concrete/crushed stone bird bath for 20yrs in another property. The last 2yrs it's produced a brown jelly gunk attached to the sides of the bowl under the water. Assumed it was something bought in by frogs or birds but no matter how I clean it it comes back. I also thought it might be my attempt at…
