higgy50

What is this little bird please?

Wow lucky you having a Black Redstart in your garden, I'm extremely envious!! You don't see many about and they are certainly quite sort after down here in the West Country so I would be well chuffed with that visitor and those pictures!!....

Higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

Crocosmia has croaked it!

Yes I agree, I would divide them now as in this country you can divide in Autumn or Spring. Cut the stems and leaves down to a few inches above ground, dig up and divide before replanting some of the healthier looking corms. They may also benefit from a little general fertilizer, I would then mulch them for the winter and I'm sure you'll have a good display again next year. They are generally really resilient and will bounce back following this sort of treatment usually.

When you replant them keep in mind that they don't mind a slightly acidic soil so it might be worth mixing in some appropriate compost to the planting hole along with some grit for good drainage?

Next year when the shoots start to appear fertilize again and then make sure that you keep them well watered. Although Crocosmias like good drainage they grow in an area which is actually quite wet so enjoy a moist soil also!!...

Whenever I divide I also plant up a dozen pots as a back up but generally end up giving them away to friends!!...

Hope this helps?

Best

Higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

bird feeders

Hi FloBear,

You haven't been "dim" at all, I didn't know about it until I read an article about it a couple of years ago. I also use the RSPB Community forum site which is also very good as they have lots about all sorts of garden wildlife and a reasonable section about gardening. It is also a friendly site so worth a visit if you haven't been on there before?

I just don't get the mentality of fat ball producers when the danger has now been highlighted to them? With all these things making a profit comes first I presume!?

So don't fret about it just pass the message on and hopefully we can all help prevent a few more unnecessary casualties!....

Best

Higgy

 http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

Fat ball residue.

As Budlia63 says leave it for the groundfeeders such as blackbirds, dunnocks, robins etc. My only concern would be that if it builds up too much it could encourage rats which you probably don't want in your garden I would imagine!? As said above monitor it and see what happens....

Higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

bird feeders

Sorry but have to butt in and ask all to....

TAKE THE GREEN NETS OFF OF FAT BALLS PLEASE 

The reason is that the birds can get there claws and/or beaks tangled in the mesh and die a very long and agonising death! Apologies that does sound harsh but it is a known problem which the RSPB have campaigned about for quite some time. Why the manufactures of fat balls insist on sticking them in nets is beyond me, but in my book the birds welfare has to come first....

Thanks for reading

Higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

patio with circular bed

Hi Gardenking,

7cm are small pots and therefore the plants aren't going to be huge! If you can find a local nursery that would be better as you can see what you're buying. My local nursery will also source plants if they don't hold them in stock so that's worth thinking about?

As for planting distance I'm no expert but as your looking at small plants and you want to make a low hedge I'd imagine you would be looking at planting them about 12"-16" apart? as I say I'm no expert so I'm more than happy to be corrected if anyone else thinks differently??

I still say find a decent nursery if you can and in my experience one that specialises in good quality plants rather than all manner of other 'stuff' if you can? You will probably get some good advice about planting etc also....

Cheers

Higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

bird feeders

Yes I agree with everyone else, there aren't so many birds around at the moment as there is still an abundance of natural food about (caterpillars, worms etc as well as fruit) When the weather gets colder they will come back in.

To answer your question though the only thing I do to ensure all species get a bit of something is feed different types of food in different types of feeders? I have about 8 feeders in my garden + a bird table, all of these are positioned so that everything gets a chance of some food! Maybe try feeding your fat balls in two different feeders in seperate areas?

I have to say that fat balls and peanuts are the only things getting eaten in my garden at the moment but it's not by the small birds....

 Surely all birds are welcome in the garden whatever their size!?....

Higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

recommendations for raised bed material

Hi TJ,

I have made all my raised beds out of treated wood but I always line them with old compost bags before filling with soil. The polythene takes away the contact with the soil which is what rots them out so quickly.

If you can afford it sleepers will last longer as they are so much bigger and wider? I have also recently built a raised bed using 3'x4' fence posts which if you shop around you can get fairly cheaply, these again are better than boards due to their thickness but cheaper than sleepers. With both these build them like bricks and the beds will look nice and neat also.

I do however think whatever you use once built paint the inside surface with preservative and line with polythene. this will protect the wood and also help to hold  in some moisture (not that you'd need that with this years weather!!) One other thing worth considering is sitting the bed on simple gravel foundations which will drain and prevent the bottom boards from sitting in water or on damp earth?...

If you have a look at my blog I do have a couple of posts about building raised beds if it helps?

Cheers

Higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/ 

Talkback: Goldfinches

Goldfinches really are one of our 'special, birds aren't they? thier colour is so vibrant and they are great fun to watch on garden feeders or even better flower seed heads!

When we moved into our house about two years ago I used to see a large group of Goldfinches in the garden two doors down but they never ventured onto my feeders! In a bid to attract them I started feeding Niger Seeds and within days we had a regular procession of these beautiful birds in the garden. 

Over winter I leave all the seed heads on the plants in my large perennial border such as Rudbeckia and of course sunflowers amongst others. We now get regular raiding parties of up to a dozen finches coming into the garden where they often spend hours feeding on these seed heads.

So if you want to keep them coming start feeding Niger seed and don't be to keen to chop down your perennials until next spring, you might be surprised who comes to visit!!..

higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

traffic noise

How noisy is it? If it's just distance noise you might get away with masking it by installing a water feature and the sound of trickling/tumbling water might be enough to 'mask' the traffic noise? If it's close and loud then planting might be better but you could still add the water feature to work with the hedging?

higgy

http://higgysgardenproject.blogspot.co.uk/

ID this plant for me please???