mike2li

Decking Help

Hi 

Not being a pro painter , but work with them and been in the building trade 35 years i doubt you will every get the ingrained markings out of your decking.If you jet washed most of the stain from last year makes me think it was a water based stain and not oil based. If your happy with the colour you have now then oil or a light coloured oil based stain. I use cuprinol oil based stain on my shed and planters guaranteed 5 years , and water based on my fences. If you have any off cuts of decking or try a small area with oil or light coloured stain see what it comes up like.The silvery grey colour is just weathered timber and oil alone won't change the colour. Oil based will give a stonger finish and help with the scuff marks, or get them to wear slippers.

ch

pansies primrose primulas etc....

Thanks for all the replies and tips , got  a nice shady chipped area at rear of my shed to put pots in, and will try too  divide when flowering stopped thanks punkdoc, also give a soak now and then thanks chicky . Thanks again to all the replies and be back soon with my next problem . Mike.

 

 

 

pansies primrose primulas etc....

Hi 

I have several wooden planters and lots of tubs and pots all sizes filled up with pansies, primroses and primulas and some foliage plants, my ? is

Can i lift most and grow on in large pots in a corner of the garden for next year ? i need the space for all my bedding plants in the greenhouse , then greenhoue space for my few toms and peppers ect. All the tubs and pots are looking really good the colours are amazing ,i think i will leave for another week or two . Will the moving into large pots be a good idea ? This is my second year with a garden and read all the tips and banter on this site every day. There must be roughly 100 plants , seems a waste to throw them out. Any advice would be very welcomed. 

Thanks

Mike.

 

 

 

New bed is on a layer of paving about 12-18 inches deep -help!

Hi tdm
Not sure what to plant in the depth of soil you have before you hit the slabs .
But if your not going to lift them and need better drainage you could hire a small breaker gun with a long chisel and break up the slabs through the top soil .
Would give better drainage if nothing else .
Mike.

Planting aubretia in cracks in sleepers

Hi
I take it the retaining sleepers or the retaining wall fairygirl has are not retaining anything important ??
Would never grow anything in anything structural , eg ivy in walls.
Been in the building trade 36 years and know the damage that can be done.
If your not bothered about long term damage plant away

top dressing for a lawn

Thanks for all the tips and advice once again .
This site and the people on it are great
Thanks again and no doubt be back soon with my next problem.
Cheers
Mike.

top dressing for a lawn

Hi Was going to top dress my grassed area this week ( lawn ? Not yet ) Being very new to gardening I read loads of tips and adivice on here . And had lots of advice from my workmates never knew I worked withh so many experts. Anyway I'm not to sure what mix of dressing to use ? . Was told my soil had too much clay in it. My plan was too Mow the grass a little Scarify Fork over Then use 3 parts sharp sand 1 part fine compost Bit of crushed chicken manure And a little grass seed That is my plan . Does anyone think the mix is wrong or will it be ok I'm not looking to get a putting green finish just looking lush and green like last year. I know it was a wet year but took a while to dry off after getting soaked. Any tips will be very welcome Been a joiner for 35 years if anyone needs any tips I would gladly try and help out. Been trying to garden for 2- 3 years now and really enjoying it and read all the experts on this site everyday , I got a long way to go . Cheers Mike.

frost free plug plants

Hi and thanks for all the replies
They will need to stay in the greenhouse as I have nowhere else to put them
I potted up the rest when I got home from work tonight and have roughly 200 .
The green house was 9-10 without the paraffin heater and the door left open a couple of inches all day from 7am.
Going to light a couple of candles from asda
Giant tea lights with a 9 hour burn time with paraffin heaters
I'm sure they were ??2 for 10 , bought a few pack weeks ago when I read somone recommend lighting cheap candles as frost protection.
Anyway thanks again for the replies .
I really enjoy reading all the gardening experts comments and helpful advice for the novice gardener like me
Cheers
Mike

frost free plug plants

Hi I received my first lot of plug plants from suttons yesterday Potted them up into 70-90mm pots all bedding plants impatients petunias lobelia. Their instruction were for 15-18 degree ideal heat to grow on but I only have 2 paraffin heaters in my 8 by 6 greenhouse . I live in the scottish borders and it was minus 2ish through the night outside When I checked in the greenhouse was 6-7 If I maintain this temperature at night and hopefully warmer through the day will the plugs be ok ? This is my first time with plugs and my first year with a greenhouse Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks Mike.

Duplex

Hi
What is a duplex ?????
Its a foiled backed plasterboard in the building trade , or I have messed up quite a few houses

pansies primrose primulas etc....

top dressing for a lawn

frost free plug plants

paraffin heaters

whats a good type to buy? 

frost free green house

parrafin heater 

pea pods

Thicken up a lawn

what type of compost to use ?