Rainwater Fanatic

Bamboo

I dug out some bamboo last year and it was an absolute killer. I ended up breaking my spade in half. The only way I could do it was to buy something which I think is commonly known as a 'Fencer's Grafter'. It is like a long handled all metal spade with a narrow head. It is the thing that contractors use when digging holes for fence posts.

It set be back about £30 from the local fencing supplies place. I think you will struggle to find one at a garden centre or DIY store. It is however almost unbreakable and so worth considering if you want to keep your other tools in one piece.

It was however still incredibly hard work and so, unless you are up for a challenge, it may be worth scanning the classifieds in the local paper. Lots of brawn and little brains required.

Garlic - progress report

It could of course be the type of garlic that you are sowing Bf206. This year I bought 4 different types from The Garlic Farm which I sowed in pots in the greenhouse in October (I think). I have Albigensian Wight, Early Purple Wight, Iberia Wight and Solent Wight. Although they were all treated exactly the same, the Solent Wight was far more scrawny than the other 3, and still is after a couple of months in the ground.

If you have used cloves from the supermarket, they may not be suited to our climate and will struggle to perform really well. I otherwise agree with Zoomer that it is still far too early to tell. 

garden /allotment tilling

Hi clogerhead,

I bought a Mantis a couple of years ago and have never regretted it. It is not to be confused with a full blown rotavator which will plough through even the toughest of virgin ground, but it is excellent at quickly getting a half worked area into a fine tilth ready for planting.

The first few times I used it, it brought all the stones up to the surface and some of these did get stuck between the tines(?) and needed unblocking, but after a few passes it was a piece of cake.

I also bought the lawn scarifying attachment which may well be worth considering if you have lawn area.

Help - Total Beginner

It is a really good idea to get to know the other allotment holders. I have always found most allotmenteers to be very generous with their advice to newcomers. Good Luck.

squirrel shot for coming to the table.

It looks like I am in a very small minority, but we encourage squirrels into our garden. Admittedly, if they were chewing the house to bits I might have a different view, but we get hours of enjoyment watching their antics. The cat also really appreciates having these visitors who she regards as playmates, although the feeling is not reciprocated.

Taking a gun to a squirrel does in any case seem a bit extreme. I thought we gardeners were a gentler bunch.

Potato Blight - which potato to grow

I haven't grown it yet myself, but it appears that the new kid on the block for incredible blight resistance is Sarpo Mira. Definitely worth checking out.;

All I want for Christmas is...

Some green fingers please.

Plant Identification help please

Thanks Nigel4ever, I think you have it. I have resorted to Glyphosate weedkiller where it was growing on its own, but where it is appearing in amongst other ground cover, it is a bit more trcky. Spot weedkiller it is.

Thinking of installing a pond

Hi Norm,

If you are looking for low maintentance, I would steer clear of Koi, although at 4 x 6 I assume you were probably not thinking about them anyway. Goldfish are a much more resilient bunch.

Also, you will probably find that the bigger the pond, the easier it is to maintain. Of course you will need bigger filters etc, but in the same way that if gardeners look after the soil, the plants will (sort of) look after themselves, with a pond, if you look after the water, the fish will probably be alright. With larger ponds, you have a bit more time to catch any water problems before they cause problems for the fish.

I have had a pond for many years, but my neighbour gace me a great tip this year which I had never heard. Throw a couple of corks into the pond and it gives the local honey bees a life raft should they ever fall in.

Good Luck if you do decide to go ahead.

Water butts

Thank you Gill. 

I managed to get through the whole of last year being completely water self sufficient in the garden, although to be fair, it was not the most challenging of years with all the rain. Hopefully 2013 will be a bit more normal for all of us gardeners and we will really be able to pit our wits against mother nature!

If you want to check out the next Grow Your Own issue, we are giving away 10 of these in one of their competitions.

Plant Identification help please