obelixx

New BBC Gardening Show looking for Kitchen Gardeners

I first came across this on A4A where it received many pithy comments about anyone being able to grow the perfect carrot or tomato if we get another season like last year.

Are these people going to have 8 allotments side by side or have an allotment provided near their home?  If the former, they'll have to be dedicated indeed to look after it well and do the travel.  

Pruning Raspberrys Help Please

You are right.  Autumn raspberreis should be cut down now to make them produce fresh new vigorous canes which will fruit later on.  The plant will naturally send sap up old stems that have not been killed by the frosts and these will produce buds followed by foliage and fruits but they won't carry as much fruit as new stems.

Cut the raspberries down to about 9" high and give all the plants a good feed to encourage strong growth.

Chris Beardshaw to join Beechgrove Garden

I shall be investing in some MBTs when I know what size I end up being.    The first foot has gone very well but I can't start using it for another couple of weeks so am hobbling in a special boot and with a crutch.

Excellent idea to get GW or Beechgrove to come to Tatton's walled garden.    Lovely idea.     Congrats to OH and you too for carrying on so long.

Hanging baskets and window boxes

Thanks Rain.  Very colourful.  I do have some tumbler tomato seeds I can try round by the greenhouse or even in front of the garages where they'll be in full sun and near the tap but I need something more flamboyant for the front door.

Hanging baskets and window boxes

Swisssue - I have to see what they have in stock.  In the past I've used a kind of moulded cardboard one and I've also just used compost bags cut to shape and with the black side showing when I left it too late one year.   

The gel is a kind of crystal that soaks up loads of water so it can be released slowly through the day.    Can't remember what it's called.

Hanging baskets and window boxes

Thanks Lilylouise.   I've asked OH to take me on a tour of local garden centres and nurseries on Saturday so I can see what they're stocking this year so I can get in early before the interesting stuff goes.   We'll also pick up some basket liners and compost and gel.    In another 2 weeks I should be able to drive myself but this way he can carry the heavy stuff and I'll be ready to start as soon as I have plants.

Climbing Roses

Generous Gardener is a good one with strong, healthy foliage and good soft pink flowers that go on till the frosts and have a lovely perfume.   Graham Thomas is a favourite with people who like yellow roses as it is also strong, produces loads of flowers and has good perfume but I don't think it gets as big as GG can. 

Gardens And Beyond...........

The Potting Shed, I'd have thought, and with its own title.

Beech hedging not retaining leaves

If you want a beech hedge to retain its foliage over winter you should give it its annual trim in August.  As a trimmed hedge is continually renewing its leaves it should be fed with a good general fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone in spring and a mulch of well rotted garden compost in autumn.

If you miss the August pruning deadline, it's best to wait till spring.. 

Violas or pansies. Which is superior?

Viola for me too as they survive our harsh winters much better than namby pamby pansies.   I like the daintier flowers and markings too.

Hello Jro - and any other old friends

Mare's tail

Encouraging bats in our gardens

Beechgrove this weekend

Weekend 22 March

Good Morning - 21 March

Choosing chillies

Hanging baskets and window boxes

New shed - any tips?