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Why arent birds using my boxes?
We bought 2 bird boxes 18 months ago, fitted them at the top of concrete fence posts (6ft high up), with overhanging conifers that add shelter from the sun and rain, so id of thought in a pretty good location. Our garden is always full of birds, most mornings we can count 20-30 feeding, all sorts, sparrows, starlings,…
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real grass or artificial grass?
Hi, Next summer I'd like a large shed removing from a corner of our garden and the concrete base digging up, then I'll have a square garden that I can grass. To grass or fake grass? I was thinking of artificial grass but sat next to a lady last week who told me she has to rake sand into hers every month, and it burns her…
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Weed identification
I've been a bit lazy recently with hoeing and keeping paths clear and suddenly I have an invasion of a weed I haven't come across before. It is a horizontal creeping weed with long red stems and tiny green leaves and even tinier red flowers or seeds. It has spread really quickly just about everywhere. Does anyone know what…
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When to remove watering timer?
I have quite a few potted bamboo plants watered regularly by a battery driven timer. My last one got ruined by freezing temperatures because I didn't take it in before winter promptly. Any ideas when I should take it in this year to avoid the new one getting damaged? thanks
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Do Spring bulbs survive the drought and heatwave?
I'm looking at our flower beds and large pots and wondering whether the Spring bulbs are still viable after this year's Summer. Has anyone got any news, views or expert opinion about this?
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Should I be worried about these trees affecting my neighbours property?
I moved in to this house recently and the garden has several trees. There are a few right at the end of the garden and the neighbours house is only a metre away from the fence. The trees right in the corner are about the height of the house and it completely blocks their landing window and it's practically touching their…
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Planting large laurel hedge
We're going to be planting some large laurel hedging at the weekend. The laurels have been in pots for a while because they ground has been too dry to plant them, and are now about 6ft(!) In the recent windy weather were falling over so we need to get them in the ground asap! I read about staking the hedges to keep them…
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Growing sweetcorn
Probably a little late to post this one but read in our local paper today of an allotment grower's despair because all his sweetcorn hobs had been stripped bare by rats. He said that some people had been placing plastic bottles over the small cobs as they grow to protect them, so a tip to bear in mind for next year and…
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Garden Design software
I did a search for this but the most recent one was 2 years ago. In the hopes things might have changed in the meantime, is there anything that has been brought out recently? I know what I want and I know what I don't want, just need some ideas in terms of setting out/planting [ because although I do know some plants, I…
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Growing herbs
Hi, I am looking to grow a small number of herbs and maybe chillies to use in the kitchen. I am new to gardening (I can mow lawns but that is it) so wondering if I am best sowing from seed or buying some plants. What do you guys think?
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Next Year Veg Plot Prep?
After fabulous potatoes and onions this year, the husband has finally agreed to enlarge the veg growing section of the back garden. Is there anything we should or could do now to prep the ground, to make it easier next Spring? The weather up here in springtime is usually dire :D
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Planting columnar fruit trees
After removing a very dilapidated arbour we know have a roughly 6' x 2' patch of bare earth which we think would be just right for a pair of column type fruit trees (damson + one other, possibly cherry). When is the best time of the year to plant them, have we left it a little too late to do it this year?
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moss and block paving
Whats the best way to get rid of moss between block paving please
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Non flowering fuschias
I have several fuschias in my garden, both in large tubs and in borders. I give them all high potash and seaweed feed and most of them have flowered well. However, some have not developed a single flower although they are looking very healthy. Any advice that will help ensure all plants do in fact flower well next year?
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Using old water bottles for overwintering plants?
My courtyard garden has lots of pots and troughs. I don't have any room for a greenhouse and as I'm in NE Scotland, my geraniums, fuschias and begonias don't survive the winter. Could I use old water, fizzy juice bottles cut in half to create a mini greenhouse type thing over the plants to make them last more than a year?…
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Palm query
Does anyone know what's happening. The palm has developed a cluster of leaves in an oval shape which are tightly bound together at the top. I can't send a picture unfortunately but if you think you might know the answer pm me and maybe I can attach the photo to the message
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sowing seeds
I have recently sown white (dutch) clover seeds on a small bare patch (3m2) in the front lawn. The bare patch came about as we cut down a box tree that had grown very big for many years and there was no grass underneath. It seems it has not been evenly divided despite me mixing it with soil first. Could I add some even mid…
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Which lawnmower?
It seems the time has come to replace my lawnmower. It was an inexpensive electric Qualcast when I bought it, and it has since given me 17 years of service, albeit on a small (40' lawn) until this year - my lawn is over 100' and the first cut of the year is a tough one. Aside from that, it's easy to maintain, flat with a…
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Start of wasp nest
I have a potting shed and over the last few days have noticed a few large wasps in there. I am now concerned there may be the start of a nest going on. What do i look for (or my husband as I ain't doing it :) ) I can't see any apparent wood stripping on the shed itself
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Butternut squash plants, do they survive winter?
Do butternut squash plants survive over winter? I've got some in pots and some in the ground in a sheltered spot that gets good sun (not in a greenhouse or anything). With the ones in the ground do I need to do anything i.e. put a cover on them when the cooler weather sets in or what happens to them normally? Never grown…
