Dovefromabove

any idea what it is

Cuckoo pint, Lords & Ladies, Wild Arum - known by lots of names http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arum_maculatum

Sometimes the leaves have black spots, sometimes they do not.

Ground elder

Not really - sorry - methodically digging it out really is the only way to go if you can't spray.  Don't let it flower and seed.  If it's spreading in from another property sink a solid barrier along the boundary to help prevent it's spread.  Dig as much as you can out and when the bits you have left reshoot (and there will be some) then bruise the leaves and paint glyphosate on the leaves and leave it for several weeks to be drawn back into the roots - when it is withered and brown dig it out.  It will get less and less but it will take several years.

Or you can gather the young leaves and cook some delicious recipes with them http://brightonforager.wordpress.com/2011/04/23/spring-greens-edible-weeds/ but do that before you spray them.

Good luck 

Strimmer for small garden

I've got a Flymo Powertrim - I paid £39.99 for it about 18 months ago and use it for exactly what you want to do - it has a dual string which feeds really simply - on the couple of occasions when it has got tangled or doesn't feed through it's simple to take the cover off the cartridge and feed it through - it takes just a minute.  If the string breaks off too short you just 'rev' the strimmer a couple of times until you can hear the string rattling against the cover.  Also the cutting head is easy to reverse so you can use it to edge lawns too.  

Full of trepidation I lent it to my son yesterday so he could trim an overgrown bank - he didn't break it 

Highly recommended!

Communal garden - council keeps destroying our plants

Sorry, hadn't realised they were privately owned - Housing Officer is only relevant for local authority housing.  OK, when your Grandma bought the flat there will have been some information with the deeds/lease about the garden and who is responsible for what - it may be that you have the use of the garden but that there is an agreement with the the company she pays ground rent to that they will maintain the garden - she must have some paperwork somewhere.  Good luck.

Laying new Turf

 Good luck - don't forget to water it 

Laying new Turf

It's not really the best time of year to do it, and you'd be surprised at how well a really scruffy lawn can be restored with a bit of care and attention.  There are several threads on here about lawns.

What have you done with the dog and the chickens?  You won't be able to walk on a newly turned lawn for at least six to eight weeks.

If do decide to returf, lots of advice here http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/lawns_layingturf1.shtml 

Communal garden - council keeps destroying our plants

You'll need to look at your tenancy agreement and speak to your local Housing Officer about what can go on in the garden and who's responsible.  

Sometimes if you all guarantee that the garden will be maintained by the tenants, they can be persuaded to call the 'groundsment off (I won't call them gardeners).  

Good luck 

New and having problems

There have been some glitches on the site which the techies are ploughing through and sorting out - I'm sure it'll all get sorted eventually.

Oh, and Tim's TV licence fee doesn't fund this site and nor does anyone else's - the Gardeners World magazine is run by a commercial company who pay a fee to the BBC for being able to link to the  Gardeners World programme, so without the magazine there's a likelihood that the Licence Fee would have to go up!!!

Will red ant colony damage my potato crop?

Ants like to be left alone, so as you keep earthing your potatoes up you'll disturb them and they'll move elsewhere - they also prefer dry soil so a little judicious watering will make them think about moving on.

Enjoy your allotment 

Petrol lawn mower

If it's couch (and it probably is ) give the lawn a  quick going over with a spring tine rake before mowing - that'll pull the couch up to the surface and when you mow it'll get cut off even shorter - it won't like that at all 

Hosta flowering - shall I or shan't I?

Butterflies

Hellebore Addiction

Hedgehog Watch!!!

The average gardener

Growing giant pumpkins

Back to the top?

Windchimes

Battening down the hatches

Signs of Spring!!!

Protecting the outside tap from frost

Ash tree disease!

Weeding - a forgotten skill? Discuss ....

Berry-eating birds will need more help this year

Strange seed pods - any ideas?