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conifers
How wind resistant are conifers? Next door has this very tall fat conifer which is being blown to bits with the wind. No we can't do anything about it but wondered if they stand up to it better than other trees. The other side lost a tall tree the other day
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How often to change compost?
I have 3 big pots in the front garden and I’m not sure when to replace the compost. Does this need to be done every year? If I feed the plants, could I do it less? Two of the pots have John Innes No3 (after someone recommended it) and the camellia has ericacious compost. The plants are all getting big and the pots are so…
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Oak Seedlings
I live on the edge of woodland here in Sheffield and constantly end up pulling oak seedlings dutifully delivered by jays & squirrels. In recent years I've been carefully digging them up to preserve the taproot and potting them up - usually just coiling the taproot into the bottom of the (small) pot. Now it's time to put…
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not had many frogs spawning this year, anyone else ?
hi folks, I know the "early spring" only lasted a week or so, we had frogs spawning in the pond, but only 4 or 5 normally we get 30/50 do you think the long hot summer has had an effect or maybe the dry winter ?
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Sedum Seeds
I've some Sedum (Autumn Joy) around the garden, and I know it's best propagated by division, but when I cut the heads back over xmas, I kept a small tub of seeds after sprinkling some around the nether regions of the garden. Some of the spring buds I've rescued in the past have taken a couple of years to fill a small pot,…
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support for climbers on fence
I might be overthinking this, but I'm about to plant a honeysuckle (dropmore scarlet) against my fence and a clematis to go with it (Jackmanni) Whats the best support to use? trellis, horizontal wires or some kind of wire mesh? Thanks!
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Seedlings and cold snaps
Hi All I have been busy this afternoon pricking out a load of seeds that needed it and got to wondering about how cold they can survive. I remembered reading that seedlings need more light than heat so have moved what I can to the greenhouse. I have moved out melon, cucumber, courgette and tomatoes but have just brought…
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do i need to stain/varnish pressure treated wood
Am going ot make 2 or 3 planters from treated 3/2" timber, will it need treating with something as well? Will the ends needs treating where I've cut it to size? And if so, whats the best clear treatment for it please? My first small garden project so looking forward to it! :)
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base dressing for potting compost?
I am making up potting compost for vegetables (seedlings) based on coir that I usually make with perlite, rockdust and commercial slow release fertilizer. I forgot to buy the fertilizer! Can I use fish blood and bone? If so how much? I do not want to add too much and scortch the plants. (No details seem available for use…
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Garden renovation
Hi Everyone, We are beginning our garden makeover and I'm looking for some advice. At the minute we have no turf/grass whatsoever as the garden was 50% patio and 50% gravel. Everything has been laid on liners so hopefully it will be easy enough to get the waste up and out. Once the liners etc are up am I right in thinking…
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Baffling Moss Problem
Hi Our lawn has too much of moss last year. Last year I did aeration and also top dressing. Yet this year moss has come back. Funny enough lawn under the shade shows no moss!!. It is the area of lawn which is most exposed to sun that shows maximum moss and weeds. What else should I do?
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Mouldy seedlings
I hope everyone is having a wonderful (if a bit windy) weekend. I have noticed today that a few of my seedlings that have come through in the heated propagator have a bit of mould around them. Does this mean I am watering too much before they go in the propagator? I had been told that you should not over-water young…
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Grass + leaves - will a strimmer work?
Hi all. I've just moved into a new property. There's a small lawn which is on uneven and sloping ground. The grass is covered in leaves from last Autumn. Given the uneven ground, would a strimmer be more appropriate than a mower? And can I strim over leaves and grass together? Or do the leaves need to be raked off first…
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ALKO scarifier/aerator problem
Hi I inherited an AL KO 38 VLE scarifier/aerator which had not seen much action. But there is a screw/bolt underneath the equipment I need to undo to change the tines.Unfortnately the screw/bolt just turns without releasing the tines.Its head and body are intact and turns nicely. Is there any thing I am doing wrong.
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Should I bring my Cosmos seedlings in?
I've got a load of cosmos seedlings out in a cold frame in the garden (no room left on windowsills). Should I bring them in overnight for the next few chilly nights? It's not forecast to go below freezing here, but not far off. Perhaps I've planted too early. Got a bit carried away when we had the nice weather!:)
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Compost & bark at lidl
They are currently selling 40 litres of general purpose compost and 40 litres of bark both at £1.99 which seems pretty good to me. Unless you know better !!!
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dahlia stakes
Need about 10 stakes to create a frame around tall growing perennials and for broad beans. Garden centers asking £3.49!! per stake. Looked at buying treated timber from wood suppliers but then have to cut to length and create a point, the bare ends are then vulnerable. Any MSE ideas??
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Badgers, rabbits and foxes
Does anyone have any experience of growing veg in an area with badgers, rabbits and foxes on site? I have seen evidence of all 3 on the land. We have a big badgers sett and I regularly see rabbits. Also my delightful dog often finds fox poo to roll in! I was going to do a chicken wire fence but someone said a badger can…
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Storing seeds
I have loads of seeds and want to ensure they last as long as possible. I know the advice is a cool dark place in a sealed container but I don't really have anywhere that maintains temperature over the year. Over the winter they were in the garage and I guess I am more worried about them getting too hot than too cold. I…
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Strongest weed killer
Hi, we need some help please. What’s the strongest weed killer to spray on a large paved back yard where huge weeds are growing? The slabs were put down years ago without any suppressant so my daughters garden looks like a jungle. There are big gaps where the weeds grow freely.
