Alina W

Talkback: How to prune roses

Yes, they're normally pruned in spring.

Hardy Fushias

It's actually best to leave it until spring. The old growth will help protect the crown.

What's the weather like in your area?

I hope that your visitors brought you a cake in recompense, Frank!

Still chucking it down here, but a promise of dryer weather tomorrow. Stay dry and safe, everyone!

What's the weather like in your area?

Also throwing it down here in North Yorks, with rivers rising steadily and roads turning into rivers. There were flood signs on the road that I used this morning - just before an area that was dry Stay indoors and stay dry, Frank - unless you want a loan of my ark?

Hope everyone else avoids flooding, too.

fireblight

No, it's not a crossover disease - blackspot is a fungus that thrives in wet weather. You can control it, but you need to remove all fallen leaves and cut out any areas that have black stains on them first. Then, next spring, spray as the leaves appear and keep spraying throughout the summer; that should control it quite well unless we have another soggy summer.

Ameryllis

Depends how you treated it before it died down. After flowering it should be placed in a sunny spot and fed and watered throughout the summer, leaves cut down in October and the plant kept cool and dry for about 10-12 weeks. Lack of food and lack of a sufficient cold spell will both affect flowering.

lightweight spade and fork set

You could have a look at the Wilkinson Sword stainless steel range - they are lighter than average but still strong. If your father doesn't do large scale digging any more, but just works on keeping borders tidy, you might also consider a border spade and fork - these are 2/3 the size of the normal items, so considerably lighter.

plant invasion

A photo would help a lot.

However, google "horsetail" - that's one of the few that I can think of that will get through obstacles.

tropeoleum speciosum

Just give it time - they do need a while to settle. The dull summer won't have helped, either.

Overwintering young dianthus plants

I'd do the same as nutcutlet.