quercus_rubur

Is it me?

I think Monty gave a good piece of advice when he said to ignore what he or any garden show says and go with what your weather is like locally. My ground is hard, I put water out for the birds and an hour later it's frozen, might just manage broad beans in my raised bed. Sharpening the garden tools and watching GW is my limit of gardening activity at the mo.

The A-Z of Gardening's been good, and I'm glad they're now showing this and GW on sunday morning

Greenhouse dwarf wall

I used to have one in my old garden which was glass to the floor. I think they're less robust than the ones with a dwarf wall around. Depending on where you are, what aspect your GH has, and what you're growing I think a wall around the bottom is likely to protect plants - esp. the roots - better from frost than glass to the ground. However, if light is limited then glass all round may be the answer

moving rubarb

I'd be splitting mine if I could get a spade/fork in the ground - I'd probably break my ankle if I tried it at the moment. Hopefully it will warm up soon. It was very sunny yesterday but the ground is still frozen  

My new lawn

Me too, but it's the best kind of disease 

composting

Nightgarden, why don't you just add paper and cardboard to your compost without burning? It's a good source of carbon and breaks down easily.

I use compost for top dressing, but also add a small amount into the soil I'm planting in e.g. raised beds. It's great for lots of veg

Another tip for anyone who works in an office where they use printer toners, or if you ever replace a toner in a printer at home. The toners are usually packed in "egg box" type of cardboard. It's a great addition to compost. 

My new lawn

Yes thanks for the cartoon Sue! Does anyone else find it hard to relax in the garden? I find that I sit down to read a book, or have a drink, and then I see a weed or something that needs pruning and 2 hours later .... Do I need help? 

composting

Some good tips here. I'd not thought about leaving the moss for the birds. Ash does keep slugs at bay - I also use coffee grains

Ash in compost is fine as long as  it's well incorporated into the compost

My new lawn

I would have thought hollow tining a good idea  and add some horticultural sand into the mix if it's heavy clay as the clay will cause water to stand on the top 

Daffodils

I've always put bulbs popping up in unexpected places down to squirrels. I planted snowdrops in my back garden for years. They never flourished, but I got them coming up in the front garden where I didn't plant them.

I've now got them growing in the back after planting them in the green rather than bare bulbs

composting

I'd also compost moss, but not the ivy. Rhodo leaves if they were green would take a long while to break down. I'd compost them if they were crispy brown - as long as they're not crispy brown due to sickness

Cloud pruning anyone?

Hello I'm a Lily Beetle, come and get me!

My Corkscrew Hazel - Thanks

Gardening as part of the National Curriculum

Dilemma - Corkscrew Hazel

Speed gardening

Hampton Court Palace Show

Calling Mrs P - or anyone who can grow Verbena bonariensis from seed

I have my first courgette!

Push mowers