Lavender Lady

Feeding blackbirds

I have the same problem, I put mealworms and suet pellets out for the birds but the pigeons and starlings eat them all before the others can get a look in.  If they try to get in they just get chased away.  I can see them sitting in the trees watching and waiting.

Mystery Plant

Great pictures ThaiGer

Why did you all start gardening?

My mum was a very keen gardener and my childhood memories were of our backgarden filled with dahlias, roses, and lots of bedding plants in the summer.  My dad always loved the lawn to look prestine and we had a beautiful large pond filled with koi carp.  Our front garden was very long it it was planted with white alison, red salvias and blue lobelia.  I also remember we had burning bushes which I think were also annuals.   I did not really get into gardening until I had my own garden when I got married in 1986 and it was just a very small patch.  Sadly my mum passed away when she was in her early 40's but so many plants remind me of her.  We had moved to a new family home and she had planted a flowering cherry tree but sadly she never lived long enough to see it flower.  Therefore I always plant a flowering cherry in my gardens as a memory to my mum and obviously its a very dear tree to me.  I love every aspect of gardening.  I too remember my mum watching GW Percy Thrower but I have to admit in those days I found it all so boring.  It is not until you get your own little bit of garden and you want to turn it into something beautiful and you realise what all the fuss was about.  It saddens me when I think of all the happy gardening times I could have had with my mum.  My sister and I visited Chelsea Flower Show last year and both said how lovely it would have been to have taken our mum with us.  So looking forward to 2013 and the new gardening year, cannot wait for spring to arrive.

Mystery Plant

Looks like Photina red robin to me, although they don't usually lose their leaves.  It may have a nutrient deficiency.  I have two standard ones in my garden but they have never had any berries before.

Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas to all my fellow gardeners.  Thanks for all the advice and laughs here on the forum. 

Happy gardening for 2013

Greedy starlings

Thank you Dovefromabove.  I do visit that trading estate sometimes but have never noticed the pound shop, will have a look for it next time I go there - will defo be after Xmas.  Also well done on your win of the Alan Titchmarsh book.  Pleased to hear of somebody winning.  

Advent prizes

Well done, I have that book, it is brilliant,  his garden is just amazing.

urban gardening and cat poop

Unfortunately you cannot train cats from going where they want to go.  I have two elderly cats and they don't wander very far so do it in my garden but they did used to when they were younger and out hunting and wandering about all day. 

You cannot keep cats in your own garden, they jump over the fence and gate.  It is their natural instinct to wander and go hunting.  I do appreciate, however, it does bother people who do not have cats of their own and they have the mess in their garden but no matter how responsible the cat owner you cannot tell a cat where to go.  They are not like dogs.

Greedy starlings

That is cheap Kezza, I paid 3.99 for 100g of mealworms.  Unfortunately i don't have a pound shop near me but I am about 30 miles from Norwich and I am sure there is one there so next time I am in Norwich I can stock up.  Thanks for that.

Why is all bird food so expensive, they want people to feed the birds and encourage them into our gardens but the food costs so much money doesn't it.  I have made my own bird cake and that does save a little but you still need to buy the seed, etc to put in it.

Greedy starlings

I also forgot to put, they are so expensive that they are a rare treat so would like them to be fairly distributed.

My dahlia tubers are not doing anything

Morrisons Tulips

Frost damaged Ivy

Is it still ok to feed dried fruit to birds bearing in mind the young

Wistera - a good dark coloured one - any ideas ?

Are Morrisons bulbs any good ??

Snow has gone and a lovely sunny winters day

is it ok to feed birds ordinary suet rather the prepared bird suet you can buy

mistletoe

Has anyone got any snow yet?

what do you think is the best make of bird food you have bought?

Greedy starlings

Where are all the birds ?

Buying spring bulbs online

What exactly does a 'sterile' plant mean ?