figrat

May In Your Garden

Bit of a bittersweet day - helped a friend clear all the funeral flowers from her husband's grave (all compostable so they've gone in my bin!) and planted grave up with a couple of rosemaries and a marjoram. By this time getting a bit late, so rest of planting restricted to what bedding we could get from local Spar - White lobelia with one rogue blue one, and red salvias as red was hubbie's favourite colour, and he was an arsenal fan to boot. Bit municipal for my taste, but now she would like me to help her with a more permanent planting scheme. Maybe I'll post as a separate thread, but if anyone has any inspired thoughts, please share! She would like some bluebells, as they were just coming out when he died (at 40) and I have those to donate. They met while they were both travelling around Australia so maybe something Antipodean? All suggestions gratefully received!

May In Your Garden

Finally done Jubilee planting of climbing beans - red flowered Scarlet Runners, White flowered Moonlight, blue (ish) flowered Cosse Violette. No, I didn't plan it that way, just got inspired! Must have sunstroke...

Scented roses?

Well I've never known Rose scents to clash with each other. I guess it's up to you, but I think I would space them apart so you would get their fragrance over a larger area rather than in one hit.

What's the weather like in your area?

Sunny again here in S Devon but a very strong and drying Easterly breeze. Good for drying the washing, my plants aren't so sure. I always find the combination of high winds and sunshine very unsettling.

Blue spots on my Chilli leaves

Rob, back to your original description, you say 'chalky' - is this referring to the colour or texture? I'm still thinking along the lines of something being sprayed/ deposited on the leaves rather than something originating in the plant itself.

Courgettes

Just browsed through Sarah Raven's 'The Great Vegetable Plot' and she recommends making a planting hole on top of heap, filling with molehill soil or I guess good mpc would do. And with regard to Green Magpie's post, using effective slug deterrent of your choice.

May In Your Garden

Thanks, but have got council around so I hope they take bait and hint! Breaking news - think Geoff's back. Shall we hide?

brussel sprout seedlings - why no growth ?

I agree with above,but as there have been a lot of postings complaining about the quality of multipurpose compost this season, I'm wondering how your other seedlings are faring?

Make the most of the weather

What sort of soil do you have and what aspect is the recently cleared area?If you want some perrenials with a long flowering season and tough constitution, have a look at the hardy geraniums, they suit most situations and can cover a fair amount of space. You might like the idea of obelisks or canes to grow climbers up to give height in the border too. But as I said, soil type and aspect are both important in your planting choices.

May In Your Garden

Gave up on the gardening as every time I heard something rustle in the borders I thought it was a rat, but each time only the blackbirds. Will try and be braver tomorrow.

Bay tree root eradication

Best way to do it! 

Plan bee

One of the more uplifting news stories... 

Overwintered runner bans

Left the roots in after clearing last year's crop, they've survived the winter and putting up new growth. 

Red rhubarb leaves

I've got a bad feeling about this... 

What can I use as green manure?

Landcress just about to go to seed