mrswick

Bare root plants

My efforts to grow bare root plants are a disaster.  I follow the rules of soaking and spreading roots etc; but the autumn raspberries, blue verbascum, and perennial geranium, not a sign of them.  I have planted canna lilies, in pots and started in a cold greeenhouse and echinacea the latter I know I over watered so that is my fault but it does not explain the lack of success in the garden.  I have light but fertile soil, and supposed to have green fingers.  The bronze verbascum I grew from seed thrived the year the blue one died and they are now in to their second year so I do not believe it is the soil.  The only plants that seem to be growing well are some bare root strwberries I bought from Marshalls, the root system was super but nevertheless I just popped them in a shallow tub and let them get on with it not expecting them to live but they have in spite of me.   Is the answer treat them rough or should I just stick to growing everything from seed/ 

Tomato growing tips

I must have been one of the lucky ones as I did not suffer from blight.  My favourite tomato that I grow each year  from seed is Tamina an early ripening potatoe leaved variety.  It is a strong grower and very productive with medium sized tomatoes of good flavour.I have tried other varieties including the cherry type but stil prefer Tamina both for cropping and reliability.I grow them in my greenhouse although I understand they can be grown outside.  Although I grow them straight into the soil I also put a Growpot (usually used with growbags) around each plant and gradually fill the centre with soil and remove the bottom leaves of each plant.  This I find makes a stronger plant and makes watering simple.

Talkback: Wet weather on the veg plot

I have mouldy strawberries, chocolate spot on the broad beans, the french beans did not germinate in the garden and the garlic, utter rubbish. Not for the first time I am considering ordering a load of readymix concrete. But being gardeners and daft as a brush will do it all again wont we. Happy gardening.Mrs Wick.

Can I move my peony?

I have moved my peonies and like AliP I have made sure the plant is dormant and moved with plenty of soil around it.  I also enjoy a piece of a divided clump my son gave me - but I am stumped as to what to do with my white tree peony that that has grown too leggy - What will happen if I cut it down to say 18inches.  don't want to lose it.  suggestions please.

Talkback: How to grow peonies

My peony dissapointed this year, it did not bloom and all its leaves were red instead of the usual green. Other years it has been a delight. can anyone tell me what I may have done wrong? Surrounding plants in the border have thrived and been unaffected?

Bare root plants

failure to survive/