Daydream thread... without the rose-tinted specs

Davesnave

Rummer wrote: »

Dave For the 100th time and this time I will write it down, how and when is the best time to get rid of a large patch of nettles?

Well, if you aren't organic and you want to use glyphosate, the answer is now, or in the next month anyway. Chemical controls work best when the plants are actively growing in spring.

Glyphosate prevents the plant from photosynthesising properly, so without food it withers and dies. Takes at least 2 weeks to act and may well be a month finishing the job. As it is absorbed by the plant, it's supposed to travel into the roots and kill those too, but I have never been 100% convinced of that.

Nettle roots are yellow, so easily followed. Once the tops are down, I would go dig the roots. Parts of those may sting too.

Of course, nettles are valuable to wildlife, so it's a good idea to keep a small patch somewhere, if there's room. Mine are in the hedges, and I have a patch in the willow grove too, but they aren't welcome in the flower or veg gardens.

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

I'm spraying this year. . Its just got to be got under control.

I'm not doing much on the fields now, and I've switched products to minimise the risk of tolerance build-up. This one might do serious damage to the creeping buttercups, but I'm not looking for a fight. :A

It's still to early to know exactly what will show, but it's looking good so far.

The new garden is a different matter. Remembering it was a field, 3' high in nettles, docks and couch 3 years ago, progress is good, but they aren't giving in yet! Some of that, like the docks, I do with chemicals, but mostly I just dig there now.

Rummer

You are wonderful do you recommend a particular brand or are they all much the same? The area is far from our food growing section so happy to use chemicals there.

Davesnave

It was DW's birthday today, so her treat was to go to a tree nursery, where we purchased the most expensive plant we've ever owned. :eek:

It's a walnut. We already have one, but I think it's a seedling.

This one has class.(In fact it should have a pedigree! )

And to think I passed on a tetrapanax this week, 'cos I thought it was too expensive at £15 !:rotfl:

Rummer

Well it is a life ling investment how long until you get walnuts?

Davesnave

Rummer wrote: »

You are wonderful do you recommend a particular brand or are they all much the same? The area is far from our food growing section so happy to use chemicals there.

They are all much the same, but ready mix isn't as cost effective as DIY. A litre will last ages, and it keeps OK for a few years.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ROSATE-36-PROFESSIONAL-GLYPHOSATE-WEEDKILLER/dp/B00CBXKEFU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397674287&sr=8-3&keywords=glyphosate

EDIT: Walnuts in 3 years, I'd say, or I want my money back! :rotfl:

lostinrates

Congratulations davesnave!



Um,


Many squirrels near you?

Rummer

My thoughts have turned to the shady border so far in it there is:

• peony
• bleeding heart
• perennial pink flowering thing

All the things in it are pink atm so I will build the colour scheme around pink/lilac/purple/white.

I have a hosta I can add so now I need to think of things that are not pink :rotfl:

lostinrates

Ok, so, I am thinking of growing an invasive bamboo.......and I have a 'slightly' squashed old water trough with a few holes in. If this were partially buried for stability does any one know if its likely to contain a walking stick bamboo? I want bamboo shoots that I can eat and are pretty. They have to be one of the prettiest. I am not sure they grow tall enough for my wants in uk. I think maybe only a few metres here? In some lucky places six metres!

lostinrates

Rummer wrote: »

My thoughts have turned to the shady border so far in it there is:

• peony
• bleeding heart
• perennial pink flowering thing

All the things in it are pink atm so I will build the colour scheme around pink/lilac/purple/white.

I have a hosta I can add so now I need to think of things that are not pink :rotfl:

You can get bleeding heart in white too. I have it.

What about violets? White woodland anemones? Is fox glove too risky with rumlEt? Look at the plants for shade website