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Ideas for back yard / potted climbers
Before I go looking for a dedicated gardening forum (any recommendations welcome), I thought it would be good to give MSE a try, especially as I'm hoping to limit my budget. Inspired by some photos I saw on a local Facebook page, I've decided to try and re-work my small, east facing back yard. It's completely flagged, so…
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Alternative Weedkiller
Any suggestions for making an acid based weedkiller? I found One-shot drain cleaner worked well but it melted the spray bottle I was using to apply it. Perhaps too strong, any weaker but effective acids that might do the job?
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Beginner seeking help with fuchsia
Real beginner here. I’ve just bought and planted some hardy fuchsia riccartonii. I know they need regular watering. Should I be pinching out? Some of the branches are trailing near the ground, should I cut them back? Should I tie up one of the branches to encourage some height?
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Blackberry harvest
How are everyone's blackberry harvests going? I live in east england and it was exceptionally dry in spring. I kept up watering my mature blackberry (approx 12 years) but there wasn't as much new growth as I usually get. Usually I take all the dead leaves and wood out late winter and it goes from bare bones to an explosion…
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Plant ID...
... but without a photo! Sorry but I didn't have any means to take one at the time. This was in a town display trough among lots of flowering annuals and presumably intended to add height and interest. Looked for all the world like a junior version of Greater Reed Mace, complete with the brown poker-like seed heads. Also…
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Plant identification
HiAny idea what this climber is?Saw it growing only 2 months ago.Many thanks
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Pruning Silver Birch and Bay Leaf Tree
HI I looking to see how much it would cost to have a silver birch and a bay leaf tree trimmed and shaped. I liver in Bedford and looking for quotes
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What is wrong with my roses?
Can anyone please tell me what is wrong with my roses? As the new foliage comes through there is a distinct lack of chlorophyll. The leaves are blotchy and pale yellow , some are patchy red. They are not burned by chemical overspray/ drift nor watered in bright sunlight so I think the problem is systemic and not a…
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Pruning a Hebe
Experience has taught me that you can't beat other people's experience when it comes to pruning. I live in Fife and my Hebe has become a bit overgrown due to not pruning it last year, how far back can I cut it this year so that it will still come again next year? I am worried that if I take it back too far I will not get…
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Geum
I am at last starting to get the alkanet under control. The garden is now being colonised by what the plant identifier app says is geum macrophyllum, but which I suspect is native wood avens. Either way there is a fair bit of it. Invasive and worrying or nothing to bother about?
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Aronia berries
Can't figure out the reason for the fact that my aronia bush produced loads of berries last year and literally every single one vanished just as they got ripe and I couldnt get any for myself to eat. This year - same bush/same garden - and loads of berries again and they're ripe again - and literally not one single one…
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Plant identification please
Hi everyone, ive been given this plant can anyone identify it for me. Big thanks in advance for your help.
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Chiggers Outdoors mites
How do you get rid of Chiggers in a new vegatable bed? It is driving me mad. They bite and you don't reaslise untill next day. Thank You
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Grape vines..?
A big ask, I realise, but does anyone have any experience with dessert grape vines? I have a pergola/trellis situation and the thought struck me that it might be possible to grow a vine over it, maybe in combination with clematis/wisteria. Apart from the minor point that they aren't available from the garden centres and…
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Raised Vegetable Planter help
HiJust before lockdown we built two raised vegetable patches with decking boards and we are mighty pleased with it.Now we plan to make 5 more of them and would need at least 40 decking boards.Which is the best place to buy them cheap.B&Q is asking for £30 for delivery.Wickes hasnt got an stock.We live in Berkshire.Many…
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Hydrangea advice please
Almost on impulse I've bought a couple of very nice, 2ft high hydrangea plants in pots. Deep blue 'mophead' variety. I need some colour in my garden to extend beyond August so they certainly fit the bill. Now comes the difficult bit! I'm now floundering, trying to decide whether to put them straight into the borders or…
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Bug problem! Help needed
Hi, 2 days ago we noticed on our window sill and back door (both at the back of the house) they were covered in tiny black bugs (they are very small so I apologise if the image is no good!) Does anyone have any ideas on what they are/how to get rid of them? We keep washing them away even used bleech but they come back with…
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1/2 price seeds: Wilkinson's
Today in store saw that all the seeds are half price in Wilkinsons. These are their own & Johnson's . Sow before dates 2022/2023. Flower seeds start @ 25 pence Flower seeds online (very few) are certainly half price, so guess veg ones are too.
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What to do with slugs Ive collected!
My new pastime seems to be slug/snail hunting! I quite enjoy going out in the evening and collecting as many as I can find. But now I have a disgusting slime ball mess of (live!) snails and slugs in a container! How best to dispose of these? Should I drown them and put them in compost bin?
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Brand new to veg growing
HI, I have an area down the side of my house about 2x3 m that I want to put some raised beds in to attempt to grow some veg. It gets a bit of sunlight in the morning but is mostly shady, though it does get quite warm. Is putting raised beds here a good idea and what could I grow in them ? And any other tips/advice for a…
