Lesley, Cardiff

Planting a hedge - help!

Native hedge gets my vote.  Planted over 200 native hedging plants nearly 3 years ago and it is now a 'proper' hedge - included a few beech where I wanted a bit more privacy - this works perfectly.  Worth it just for the wildlife it attracts .....

Apple Tree Canker - Advice/Opinion?

3 years ago I bought 2 apple trees (Bramley and Herefordshire Russet) and have since trained them as espaliers - both now growing their third layers.  Both trees have done well and blossom/fruit set has been good this year.  However the Russet has a large area of canker 'damage' on the main trunk just above the first layer.  It affects about half the circumference.  The growth above looks healthy - I have googled the problem and am relieved to read that this will not necessarily kill the tree.  However should I cut the damage out of the tree, ie above the first layering, or leave it and see how the tree copes with it?  If I do cut out the canker, will the tree re-grow so that I can continue with the espaliering.

Any advice or opinion would be appreciated.  Thank-you.

Asparagus

Lizzie

I hope you are lucky, but if you need to get new crowns, I can recomment Kent Asparagus - my new crowns delivered today and quality is excellent.

Fingers crossed for your crop.

update on Jeyes Fluid and cat probs

This really works.  Tried it on one flowerbed, and sure enough the cats left it alone and moved on to another (untreated) bed!  So all the beds have now had the Jeyes/tea bag treatment.

Visiting Malvern Spring Show

Well I have spent most of the day planting all my purchases - inbetween the rain showers!  Malvern was brilliant - lots to see, show gardens amazing especially the French cafe theme one which was my personal favourite, looked like it had been there forever.  School gardens were exceptional, loads of enthusiasm, lots of Monty's and Joe's in the making I am sure.  Plant Pavilion - it was evident that everything is running late, not quite 'the wow factor' of previous years, but very good nonetheless; and the plant sales ... well I blew my budget, bought geums, perennial geraniums, unusual primulas, herbs and quite a few other perennials.  Great value plants, good quality and different choices from the usual garden centre varieties.  I urge you to go along and enjoy yourself!

Visiting Malvern Spring Show

Agree with Matty2 that Malvern is a real treat - will let you all know what plants I bring home 

Asparagus

I sympathise - planted new crowns last year and nothing showing so far - had a dig around and absolutely nothing.  Just ordered new crowns to start all over again!

Visiting Malvern Spring Show

Hi - off to Malvern tomorrow.  Long shopping list and money burning a hole in my pocket - can't wait.  Anyone else visiting - what are you going to look at and shop for?  I am looking for lily bulbs and unusual perennials - hope the weather is kind.

update on Jeyes Fluid and cat probs

So glad I read this thread, will be rushing home to soak tea bags in Jeyes - my neighbour has 4 cats and they all use my flower beds!  Would also recommend Jeyes for cleaning, especially washing down the greenhouse to eliminate green mould.

Thanks guys

My first Hedgehog inhabitant

Having been aware of hedgehogs in the garden and passing through, last year I made a hedgehog house out of two wineboxes and put it in a quiet corner, surrounded by some logs and under a small acer tree.  Last weekend I found my dog, trying to dig under the hog-house and getting very excited so I investigated and gently lifted the lid.  The box was full of leaves so obviously there was a nest, but I didn't disturb and replaced the lid, and made the area dog proof!  Since then I have put out semi-moist hedgehog food each night that has disappeared which confirms that I have a hedgehog in residence.  Quite excited at the success of the homemade hog-house.

Apple Tree Canker - Advice/Opinion?

Visiting Malvern Spring Show

My first Hedgehog inhabitant