HEDGEH0G

Mildew

I've never really tried it, but I have read that attracting birds into your garden with feeders can reduce other pests such as caterpillars, that the extra birds you have attracted into your garden find these an extra bonus!

Seed buying

I'm a sucker for looking through seed catalogues and trying out new varieties (for me). This year I am trying purple carrots and golden beetroot.

Talkback: Growing onions: seeds versus sets

Allium

Over the years I have contiually come across Allium in plant borders and on my allotment. I don't like to use chemicals, so i'm sure that persistance in digging it out is probably the best way. Any other ideas?

Welcome to the potting shed

I have just found a really good book called the The Book Of Leaves. Really good pictures of six hundred leavesof trees from around the world. The potting shed is a great place for contemplation and I look forward to seeing what people have to say in this forum.

children and gardening

When my children were young, they always had a small area on my allotment, where they could grow their own things. Usually things that grew quickly, like radish and lettuce so that they could see results within a few weeks and keep them interested.

They also loved to help harvesting, especially strawberries!

lawn edging shears

One of my favorite jobs in my garden and my allotment is pruning. I find it very satisfying. I love to stand back at the end and see the difference I have made,

sweet peas

I agree. I prefer to grow my sweet peas and garden peas in pots or trays in the spring and then plant them out late spring. I find these do just as well as autumn sowings and you don,t have to protect them from mice!

Allium