lydiaann

Ants in the compost bin

Thanks, I'll try that.  Although I did water somewhat when I added a 'brown' layer (which had to be shredded newspaper as I'd run out of leaves and old compost out of pots) about a month ago - but maybe it was not enough.  As the bin has only just reached a point where I can use the first lot (it's less than 18 months since I started it), I was loathe to have to remove all the stuff and start again! 

Ants in the compost bin

I've just been out to my compost bin and it's full of ants, including flying ants and eggs.  Do I have a serious problem or can I just leave it?

When to prune

I've completed all of my pruning over the last month.  I've learned through experience over the years that, provided the shrubs/trees/perennials are planted in more or less the right position, then judicious pruning from February 1 is just fine.  For example, I lived in Canada (Vancouver, wet/mild winters generally) for 20 years.  About 6 years ago we had terrible storms at the beginning of January that ripped up tens of thousands of trees and wrecked a lot of people's gardens (and also houses where the trees fell on them).  I had no option but to take out 90 percent of my Clematis montana and 95 percent of my winter jasmine.  A large limb had to come off the Cotinus cogyggria (3.5 m. high) and off the dogwood tree; the 2 beautiful Pieris also had 25 percent of their branches removed because of damage from the winds followed by heavy snow; other smaller plants also suffered.  Although I had fewer blossoms for the first year, each of the plants came back more vigorously than ever; since then, I have had no compunction about hard pruning and its benefits.  Go for it!

Overgrown back garden

Lots of good advice there.  However, one thing I would say is that if you are having borders and beds, please please don't make straight edges; use a vegetable-based aerosol marker and 'draw' freeform on the lawn before it's lifted/returfed/reseeded whatever.  Then go back to the area you plan for the patio/BBQ and see what pops out.  Then you can plan your borders and beds in regard to form, height, colour, theme: woodland, 'hot', 'calm', pastel, etc. (but only after you've established the pH of your soil) and decide if you want to reduce the lawn area further using paths.  Don't forget to plan as much for pollinating insects as possible.  It may be small, but there is so much you can do with it...good luck (We moved into our place 18 months ago and I had loads of new beds cut...last summer's wash-out meant it didn't come quite as I wanted it to, but there's always this year and then maybe I'll have some photos to post - perhaps we can have a competition!!)

Bees

On our return to the UK last August we moved into a new place in the East Midlands and were upset to see that the bee problem was not just confined to N. America.  We cut out 5 new beds (herb, veg, fruit, ornamental and wildflower) with the idea that the latter 2 would be for pollinating insects.  Sadly, although the wildflower border did extremely well, on our return 3 weeks ago from a short break, we found that the majority of plants were prostrate on the lawn (heavy storms).  However, Hubby fashioned a rather odd-looking support system and they have continued to flower nicely and attracted lots of bees of all kinds.  In the ornamental bed, I followed Sarah Raven's advice and looked out for the plants/bulbs/seeds that had the logo on the pack; the single flower dahlias, the lupins, the achillea are all doing the job beautifully - my new apples trees (2, planted 6 metres apart) have been cross-pollinated very successfully.

Depression and how gardening saved me

Three years ago while living in Canada I was approached to take part in a pre-publication study on gardening and mental health by a professor at University of British Columbia.  We did a tour of my garden first (I am pleased to say that it was all looking very good and the weather was perfect!) and then we started on the interview.  After all the usual paperwork signing (waivers, agreement to my comments appearing, etc.)  and a brief chat on my age (64), my gardening experience (moderate) and my sources for inspiration (my grandad), I had to take part in a short word-association session, answering - as is the norm - immediately with one word.  There were a couple of non-gardening words and then she just threw in the word 'garden'; my reaction?  "Catharsis".  I had never looked on it as that before but, looking back, I had always retreated into the garden following stress at work and particularly following - over the years - the deaths of my mother and my 2 beloved brothers.  I have cried and laughed, entertained and had quiet times in my garden...I have to say that, as apparently the sixth person interviewed, I was the first to produce such a reaction.  I am not sure who was the most surprised! 

Looking for evergreen climber

Clematis armandii for sure, vigorous, lovely white flowers in the New Year and needs very little attention; just make sure you shade the roots from sun, prune after flowering and a little clematis food at appropriate times...lovely.

Clay soil problem

We bought our bungalow last August; there were 2 ornamental shrub borders and mainly lawn for the rest of it (it's quite a large lot).  I had 4 new beds dug out in October and left rough dug so that winter could do its work.  Over the winter we've also reworked the soil several times, adding lots of compost (it had to  be commercially sourced as I obviously have not had time to build up my own yet).  It's taken a lot of work, a lot of compost, some manure but now my beds are fully workable and I have started planting: fruit, shrubs, perennials.  My herbs will be going in this week, my tomatoes and sweet peas are already sown in the greenhouse and I shall be sowing cold weather crops in 2 weeks (lettuce, spinach, etc.) - but only after one more workover of the lot.  Clay soil is difficult, but not impossible if the appropriate work is done in the first place.  My suggestion would be to start again - and I agree with the potatoes, great for preparing the soil.

Talkback: Plans for a garden

Not sure that I agree that bees like single petals...I've had sedums that have been covered in bees to the point that the flowerheads are a mass of moving brown!  Buddleia is also a major attraction (I know it's a butterfly plant but bees love it too).  Cotinus cogryggia is also an attractant and can be pruned to keep it small.

Pruning Rowan/Mountain Ash

Anyone give me any ideas about pruning off lower branches of a Rowan tree?  As the bungalow is only 8 years old, I am guessing the tree is about 8-10 years old, approx 15 feet tall currently.  On moving into the property, we have cut a new fruit bed and the bottom branches of the tree, about 5 feet off the ground currently, get in the way.  I would like to take about 4 off to allow for freedom of movement in this small space.  I understand, however, that Sorbus aucuparia do not take well to pruning.  Any suggestons?

Ants in the compost bin

Pruning Rowan/Mountain Ash