jatnikapyar

Excited, excited, excited!

I would like to join in too please........just one of many joyous surprises of this Spring. After winter in 2010 I lost a Black Hamburg grape vine. DEVASTATED I was, it was in a large pot going up the pergola and lasted 9 years. I left the dead root and two branches in the pot and planted a jasmine to climb up it.

Two days ago I noticed a shoot with leaves that looked like(YES).....grape. Boy, it made my day, I couldn't believe it. The shoot is now GUARDED with holly branches(lots of squirrels and cats here). Even if I only get the leaves to stuff with rice (delicious) it is a result.

It also reminded me that PATIENCE is a major part of gardening. It breaks my heart to watch my neighbours rip out their garden EVERY year and "redesign" it  because they "are tired of waiting for things to grow......"

My experience of "customer service" .

Hi Tina Turner and Gardening Granny, thank you for taking the trouble to respond. It is very encouraging and I will start E-mailing and telephoning again. The manager at the local nursery that I have used for 30 years saw the photos and has offered to speak to the retailers in question about the issue.

By the way GG, I had a problem with Wyvale last year. I ordered £60/= worth of bedding plants and after fobbing me off for 3 weeks I received an E-mail to say the order was ready for collection. When I arrived there with my friend (she offered to bring them home in her car) the GC denied all knowledge of it and were most unhelpful. They offered me 10% off plants in the GC(none of the plants I wanted) I wrote to head office with copies of E-mails etc.

I was sent a voucher for £10/=  and it was too late for beddings.

I gave the voucher away and NEVER used them again.

I think that they don't care as they have lots of customers and my contribution is a drop in the ocean.

My experience of "customer service" .

Hi Bev and Sarah, thank you for taking the trouble to respond as I felt as if i was the only one complaining. Apart from my post, I too had the problems that you highlighted and we tend to assume that GW magazine endorse these retailers as they offer % off in the magazine.

As for Crocus, Paula, when my plant that cost £15/= had two withered leaves out of 4 3 days after delivery. It was implied by a PLANT DOCTOR called Helen (what is she when she is alive, is it a new agricultural qualification?) that I had killed it as I had not put it in a BIGGER pot as soon as it arrived. It was delivered in a2L pot, for Christs' sake!

 This is what the plant looked like 3 days after delivery.

Lily of the Valley

 They are like cats.......if they like you they go mad, if they don't they won't grow! It took me a couple of attempts to get them to grow. They now look lovely under a mature Bramley.They share the area with wild garlic, foxgloves,ferns, euphobia(orange ones) and a few other semi shade lovers.

So, if you like them and their fragrance, coax them on and they will take over the garden. Enjoy!

No balls!!!

Sadly there is more of them then there is us(does not sound like good grammar...but hey  ho )

We have a badger and baby visiting our area( probably driven out of the North Downs nearby......or they have heard of the cull(sorry, bad joke.) But it's the reaction of some of my neighbours that astounds me. The nasty animals have dug under the concrete that is holding their 6' high fences ....oh dear, and defaced their decking. They have created havoc in my controlled jungle that is enjoyed by the birds, foxcubs and the plants that I lovingly enjoy nurturing!

I apologise for grinning....BUT they are part of life, why fight it? I suggested to the neighbours that if they left the "holes" it will prevent more damage. But they are up in arms and have involved the "Environment Agency" ........to have the vermin eradicated. Ho Hum.

My experience of "customer service" .

Thank you Verdun, Berkley and Bird13 for your response.

My experience of "customer service" .

I have not posted on the forum for a while and am doing so to see if other forum members have felt the same about the shoddy "customer service " I have received this year from online retailers. They range from small specialists, large G/C's and specialist nurseries. Orders have taken ages to arrive and are in poor conditions. Others don't communicate or respond to E-mails. Phone calls result in fob offs and  rude replies.

I have waited weeks for refunds and some have not arrived at all. I buy online as I am 70 and do not drive. I do go to local GC's whenever I am offered a lift. What gives these retailers the right to entice us with GLOWING testimonials and take our money and not deliver?

Sadly ,most of them advertise in GW and include T&M; Primrose.co.uk; Crocus; Brookside Nurseries; Carreglefn Nurseries and Jersey Plants.

Am the only one who feels cheated and robbed?

Gardeners World

Aaaaaaaa........has anyone seen Nigel on Montys' Blog? Even black sheep love Nigel makes me smile

what to do with shaded area by fence

Hi, I second what Obelixx has said, but do speak with the neighbours  in question regarding the fence.

I know of 4 neighbours who have put up 8 foot fences(not allowed here) and put the supports on the wrong side too.(For better aesthetics.) Bye the way, the council makes the regulations but is reluctant get involved with the problem

bedding plants

You just wait and see.....a bit of sunshine and warmth and you will not be able to keep up with them !! Its still cold at night, even in the greenhouse. It was -3 in the SE last night. My plants, in a GH, under cloches are still asleep!

My experience of "customer service" .

Waterbut downpipes

ididenty please

Nigel

Wild Garlic

Uploading pictures

help

up to minate gardening

what is the red chilli for please?

what is the red chilli for please?