The potting shed

Ciara111

garden1
garden2
garden3
semi-det neighbour
semi-det2
LG-
Direction:garden-south facing, bare patch-west facing
Soil Type:heavy, clay like, very hard, alkaline (i think as we have hard water)
Pests:snails, slugs, ants (summer)
Neighbour's gardens:smi det neigh see pic... Its a bit overgrown but its still lovely. Not many flowers, but some flowering plants. Other neigh's just have lawns. Have seen some busy lizzies... but that's about it.
What I would like: Something dramatic.. maybe a mass planting of 3 or 4 species that changes with the seasons??. Some greenery/shrubs. I like blues, purples and pinks. Unfortunately Im not to up on plant names/species, just the basics.I dont mind having to do some maintenance as I find it quite relaxing.
Type of plants I like:hydrangea, buxus, olive plant, dahlia, geraniums,lavender,rose,chrysantemum,peony,vebena,eucalyptus.

I think thats about as much as I know. Look forward to your advice

Lord_Gardener

bazz wrote:

Hya. Can anyone help me with my apple tree, please?. We have had it for a number of years. This year it has had an unbelievable amount of apples on it. Only thing is they all tend to go black. Perfect shaped, huge apples. They have a blight type thing on them. (I`m not a brilliant gardener, so excuse my descriptions!!)
Start off with little black marks, and the marks get bigger. They go quite mouldy looking. The tree grows close to a conifer hedge. Wondering, is this a pest thing, or a plant disease? Do you think it can be sorted with something? I`m one of these ones. I hate chopping trees and plants down, if they can be rescued. Thanks:huh:

It's difficult to tell from your description - sounds like a fungal infection, maybe brown spot? It's been a difficult and stressful year for trees with the drought conditions weakening them and causing increased numbers of infections. I suspect a good pruning will be in order this winter! Worth having a look at the RHS site to see if you can nail down the particular problem you are having with your apples:

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/index.asp

bazz

:hello: Thanks. I will check out that link you gave to me. We did prune it right back last year. I can take pics, if I`m allowed to post them.

bazz

:j Thanks Lord_gardener!! That`s my problem on the RHS site you suggested. That is exactly it. Bitter pit. Very pleased, it won`t have to be chopped down. Its not a disease.Look forward to lovely apples next year. Very interesting site. Will have a better look tomorrow.
Thanks X:T

happy_miser

Hi everyone from a complete novice, sorry to go right back to basics but what is the correct procedure for growing from seed?

I have a newly-established garden that was done for me with large shrubs and tree ferns etc., but I haven't grown anything from seed before.I was given some Herb Pot sets of Chive and Basil that come with soil and seeds packets, have managed to get them going on the window sill and the seedlings are about 2" high. The instructions that came with the pots were extremely basic to say the least, they didn't say how deep to sow them or anything - just "thin out and water". As they are so delicate I'm concerned about under/over-watering them, how I should water them, from the top or bottom and when/whether I should move them to a bigger pot with different soil. Basically I need to know what to do next please, as I don't want to lose them now at this crucial stage.

Any advice would be gratefully accepted.

pickledtink

happy_miser wrote:

Hi everyone from a complete novice, sorry to go right back to basics but what is the correct procedure for growing from seed?

I have a newly-established garden that was done for me with large shrubs and tree ferns etc., but I haven't grown anything from seed before.I was given some Herb Pot sets of Chive and Basil that come with soil and seeds packets, have managed to get them going on the window sill and the seedlings are about 2" high. The instructions that came with the pots were extremely basic to say the least, they didn't say how deep to sow them or anything - just "thin out and water". As they are so delicate I'm concerned about under/over-watering them, how I should water them, from the top or bottom and when/whether I should move them to a bigger pot with different soil. Basically I need to know what to do next please, as I don't want to lose them now at this crucial stage.

Any advice would be gratefully accepted.

It depends how densly you've sown them and how big the present pots are.
What diameter pot are they in and roughly how many seedlings do you have per pot? When the time comes to thin and repot or plant out make sure the soil is well watered and really damp. Much easier to prise them gently apart without damaging roots or snapping off stems.
Water to keep the soil moist but not sodden and Basil really likes sunlight. Chives do fine in semi shade.
Chives can be planted out in the garden as soon as they are a bit bigger and will die off with the frost but come up again year after year in the spring. Basil will eventually flower and produce seedheads. If they are outside you can let some go and the seeds will fall and may come up every year. To keep the plant producing useable leaves pinch out the flower heads as they form.

bazz

Hya. Sorry. on about my apple tree again. Its about 10yrs old. Can it be moved? Its at the side of the garden, not getting so much light. Have room for it in the middle of the garden. Would it be too settled where it is? Thanks:rotfl:

happy_miser

Thanks pickledtink. The pots are 13 cm diameter and I have 30 Basil 2" seedlings and 35 Chive, which seems to have put on a spurt and are now about 3" high albeit a bit spindly. Do I water from the top or bottom?

angelavdavis

Thought some of you might be interested in the latest pictures of my garden makeover. Page 2 shows the latest pics taken today. As you can see, lots has grown and some of the veg are doing really well.

The paving in front of the veg borders was completed today. Will have to wait to save up for the rest of the slabs to finish.

http://groups.msn.com/AngelasPhotographicEmporium/gardenproject2005.msnw?Page=2

Hope you all enjoyed your weekends.

pickledtink

bazz wrote:

Hya. Sorry. on about my apple tree again. Its about 10yrs old. Can it be moved? Its at the side of the garden, not getting so much light. Have room for it in the middle of the garden. Would it be too settled where it is? Thanks:rotfl:

You couldn't move it now. After 10 years the roots will be really deep and HUGE. Maybe train some branches towards a lighter area?