gardengirl6

Talkback: Garden birds and garden pests

We put up a nest box early in 2010, but had no takers that year.    Last year a pair of great tits raised two broods in it, and are back this year.    We didn't see the young birds emerge from the box last year, but one day they were running around on our veggie patch.    Despite the parents calling to them from a tree, the fledglings didn't show any fear of us at all, and we were able to stand and watch their antics really close up.   It was magic!

whichway is up

Sorry I don't have an answer for you - only a question!   What are they?    I can't find this in my gardening books.

Beat The Drought

Last year my seven water butts were mostly empty all through the summer.    We watered our vegetables and pots and largely ignored the flower garden.   This added aout £30 to our water bill over the previous year.    We are now thinking to install another couple of butts, but when you research the cost of a butt, stand and linking sets, it will take some four years to recoup the cost.   But what is the alternative?  

Foxtail lillies

In the autumn of 2009 I bought and planted one foxtail lily, and in 2010 it flowered with one stem.    This year there are two shoots coming up, so I imagine it multiplies. 

Talkback: Growing veg in shade

It started yesterday, Friday 9 March.     You can always see it on I-player.

Redesign of garden

I like the idea of flowers in the veggie plot, too.   Two years ago we suffered badly from blackfly, but last year we edged the whole veggie section with different marigolds, and had no trouble at all.   It looked terrific, and due to the mild winter they kept flowering well into February this year!  

Our nasturtiums, grown on the opposite side of the garden, did suffer with blackfly last year, so we shall grow them together with marigolds in future.

Peace Lily

This plant does like moisture, but you may be overwatering.      I have one which is very lush with its foliage, but never flowers.   Can anyone tell me why not, please?

swiss cheese plant

When my swiss cheese plant outgrows its alloted space, I cut the top of the plant off, including at least one aerial root.    This will then root up in compost.   The remaining plant will also continue to grow.

I have recently done much the same with an indoor yucca which was threatening to go through the roof of our conservatory.    It is now just about a foot high, trunk only, and I am hoping it will do what the books say it will - shoot out again.     I also have seven pieces of trunk stuck in pots of compost/cactus compost, which I am hoping will also root and make new plants.    Has anyone had any success with doing this?     Any idea how long it will take before I see green? 

Welcome to the potting shed

Is anyone else wondering what is happening to the BBC Gardening page on their website?    

confused..

You cannot rely on one book having all the knowledge you need to make you a good gardener.    But, if you want a cheap source of books, try the charity shops.   They always have plenty of gardening books whenever I look.