Gardeners' World Web User

Talkback: Coal tits

Dear all, I am amateur gardener and so far this year went for me in by both front and back balcony garden, My Begonias were the most fruitful plant I had, however I am attempting to make it live longer so I brought indoors, I don't want it to die :( however I believe it's dying, it's growing a sort of white later in its leaves, like fungus, will it die anyway? also why my indoors plants are growing a kind white layer at the soil level, is that a disease? need help and advise please, thanks

Talkback: Garden photography

I have moved house so many times and had to leave so many gardens, which I loved, that now I can look back at all the photos I took of them and wonder where I got the energy from to create such lovely places. I only hope the guardians of them now remember to take snaps.

Talkback: How wildlife friendly is your garden?

Sounds like a permaculture garden!

Talkback: Dealing with slugs and snails

I comletely understand you! It is the same in our back yard! The snails over here in Mechelen, Belgium love my lovely basil & sage leaves a lot!

Talkback: Planting bulbs in lawns

I've tried bulbs in the lawn but the squirrels just love to dig them up.

Talkback: Hedgehogs in the garden

"scruffy suburban garden" describes our garden perfectly and guess what, we have lots of hedgehogs!

Talkback: Do we really want wildlife in our gardens?

One of the biggest problems is the loss of "common" wild flowers due to harsh mowing regimes on huge tracts of amenity grass land. Acres of ultra-short coarse grass, a few ground-hugging pioneer species, but nothing else gets to flower. Much of this grass is cut every couple of weeks at a height of 15-25 mm. Green indeed, but a barren monoculture.

Talkback: Growing pumpkins

As an American now living in the UK, I've been happy to escape overblown Halloween but not pumpkins! To carve a pumpkin requires a sharp knife. Draw the face on first with a sharpie. Cut out the top, use a big serving spoon or ice cream scoop to get all of the seeds and gunk out. Then carve the face. Pumpkin pie is best served with whipping cream NOT double cream! There are wonderful recipes for pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies and pumpkin muffins. There's more to pumpkin than soup!!

Talkback: Overwintering chillies

Thanks, Kate, I hadn't considered overwintering my chillies but will give it a go. I don't know what sort they are : they were donated by my next door neighbour who successfully grows and overwinters his in the bathroom (Yorkshire): perhaps the humidity helps in this case. Will try the kitchen windowsill (west facing). Talking about chilli, one great use for it is in Nigel Slater's recipe for mixed tomato chutney, link given in blog below. http://www.mandysutter.com/reluctant-gardener-day-410-a-right-pickle/

Talkback: Protecting plants from frost

Yes, Pippa, frost forecast for the Bristol area tonight too, so I have brought in all my tender plants. But it is only a flash in the pan and the week-end is going to warm up again. Still the conservatory looks great with the succulents and large geraniums back in. I closed its roof vents too early and got mildew on my chrysanthemum leaves but it seems to have all washed off as I took them outside in the rain. You live and learn.

Talkback: Growing Russian vine

Talkback: Pressing apples

Talkback: Building a green roof

Talkback: Growing onions: seeds versus sets

Talkback: Unseasonal weather

Talkback: Coal tits

Talkback: Garden photography

Talkback: How wildlife friendly is your garden?

Talkback: Dealing with slugs and snails

Talkback: Planting bulbs in lawns

Talkback: Hedgehogs in the garden

Talkback: Do we really want wildlife in our gardens?

Talkback: Growing pumpkins

Talkback: Overwintering chillies

Talkback: Protecting plants from frost