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Daphne63

Latest posts by Daphne63

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Starting off Dahlia tubers

Posted: 10/03/2013 at 16:31

I read somewhere recently about planting dahlia tubers in a heated propagator so maybe that's a clue that they do better if they're warmer.

bindweed, alder, buttercups, ivy

Posted: 10/03/2013 at 16:20

Long growths of bind weed between wanted plants can be bundled into a polythene bag and sprayed (some times more than one time is needed) when it is growing strongly with Roundup.  Usually from April. Weigh the bag down with a stone.  Ivy can be killed with the same method but may need something stronger such as SBK depending how big it is.

A beautiful rose that will not flower

Posted: 10/03/2013 at 15:58

I too bought mini roses from Morrisons and they stayed dinky but I have also been given mini roses for mothers day etc. which were anything but after I planted them out.  They turned into thumping big things which succumbed to every disease going. 

Talkback: Vine weevil

Posted: 10/03/2013 at 15:46

Florence and Symphony strawberries are said to be resistant to vine weevils.  I'm overun with the things but results are good so far.

Welcome to the fruit & veg forum

Posted: 04/03/2013 at 12:29

I've had allotments for over 30 years now and they were all overgrown with couch and other grasses.  This tip is no use to the organic growers amongst us but Round Up used in April is magic.  It acts best when the grass is growing strongly and it will go right down and kill those annoying creeping roots.  It only works on the green growth and doesn't harm brown stems.  Even if you only use it the once it is a good start.  Tough perennial weeds like docks and Dandelion tend to need more than one dose.  I have seen new gardeners especially, spend many hours painstakingly digging it out, then the tiny bits of root left behind find thier way up again.  Bindweed is another shocker and that responds to a few doses.  Good luck Reg.  It can only get better.. 

Fruit for amatures

Posted: 23/02/2013 at 13:48

The Fruit Expert by Dr.D.G. Hessayon  (second hand ones can usually found on Ebay for a song) will tell you anything you will ever need to know apart from recipes.  Then you can come on here and teach us.  Like all Hessayon books, it is brilliant.    The new ones aren't too expensive either.  About £7.

Blackberries

Posted: 23/02/2013 at 13:24

A blackberry is a very large and strong growing plant.  Mine will throw out 30ft canes if I let it.  You have no option but to plant it in the ground.  They require a lot of space and ideally horizontal wires to support the canes.  Every year the old canes are cut out and the new canes tied in.  One of mine is helping to hide a shed and is very strong and with lethal prickles.  A nightmare to be honest, but it crops really heavily.  The thornless ones are much easier to manage and not usually so vigorous. 

how to grow cucumber seed

Posted: 18/02/2013 at 09:34

 

 

Quite right, I should have said edge Welsh onion.  Sorry folks.

 

 

 

 

raised beds

Posted: 18/02/2013 at 09:29

My beds are only a decking board deep so lining the bottom would stop me from growing deep rooted crops in those beds.  An allotment member was plagued by mares tail on a new plot and completely lined his new beds after digging out what he could of the weed.  It was alright for a bit  but some of the mares tail eventually showed up but it was certainly better than it had been and manageable.

how to grow cucumber seed

Posted: 17/02/2013 at 22:46

Yes , laying the seeds on thier sides and on the surface is the answeras they're less likely to rot.  I put a plastic bag or a cut off plastic bottle over them so they don't dry out.  Warmth is the secret of germination but I struggled for many years with the healthy young plants eventually collapsing when they were planted out.  I am a slow learner but at last the penny dropped.  As Mrs Little Bush says, they like it warm.

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