The Saint

potato varieities production or vareity

I grew a load of different varietites last year, 2 earlies, 2 second earlies, 2 maincrop & charlottes.  The charlottes did the best.  I had to lift all very early as I got blight, but the biggest crop came from the Charlottes & they lasted way longer than the others.  I saw an Ulster spud in one of the GW recommends so I'm gonna try and get hold of it.  Am defo gonna grow Charlottes again, but I'll try leaving them in the ground longer this year.

Why are blackbirds digging the garden

My blackbirds dig through my compost bins & they can fairly shift a sizable amount in a short time!!  They love snacking on my worms.  Pity they didn't like the slugs so much.  The birds did a rubbish job on them last year.  If humans ate them I could have raised 3 sets of triplets out of my garden alone!

Talkback: Gardeners' World Magazine Seed Club

When I saw the title 'Seed Club' I thought it would be a place where gardeners would be able to swap seeds?

Catherine

green beetles on my cauli

My friend put netting over her cabbages but the butterflies were still able to lay thro it. I put mine in the ground soon as I cud and protected with cloches and they were ready before the butterflies appeared in my garden. I also grow lots of nasturtium to deflect them from the cabbages and it seems to have worked for me. The slugs however.....

green beetles on my cauli

Yea, it does look like this, only no brown on it.   And it's really really green.  I also found a couple on by strawbs, but other than slug damage I couldn't see other damage, so I've stopped worrying.  I think my cauli just suffered root rock & was just poor.  It's the first time I grew it, and I'd defo do it again, as the couple of good ones were so delicious.  Thanks a mill for your replies.  I have gained so much from everyone on the forum, I'm sure everyone else has too.  Bless

green beetles on my cauli

Some of my cauli is coming on great, but some looks like it's been nibbled, perhaps by the infestation of slugs that has decimated nearly everything I've planted this year.  The florets have become separated and some seem to be growing faster than others, and they generally look really poor and discoloured.  While I was examining them for slugs I've discovered a green beetle-like insect that looks like a cross between a beetle and a cricket and is bright sap green.  Is this a pest?  Is it causing the damage?  I can't find it in any of my gardening books.  I'll try and get a photo, but they're very fast & I haven't been able to catch one.

Scented indoor climber

I've tried growing a jasmine up the wall inside my house, and it will successfully do the climbing bit, but I've had no success getting it to flower  It's beside a small south-facing window.  I was advised to cut it back, and I did, and it died!  I grew another, which was also reluctant to flower.  It got straggly, so I cut it back and it died.  Everyone I know that has a jasmine, indoors or outdoors, tells me they can't get it to flower.  It's supposed to be an easy plant to grow?  I'm ready to give up on it altogether, so if anyone could suggest something else to grow in it's place?  Something that will give off a lovely perfume.  My house is very warm, so anything tender would work

Greenhouse or poly tunnel

Ah brill, thanks a mill wee jenny.  I totally live in a wind tunnel, & I also have big dogs who play rough & could easily run into the side of it, so the polycarbonate sounds ideal.  I did think looking at one that being slightly opaque would mean it wouldn't get so hot inside, so it's really good to hear from someone who's experienced all three and can give me their feedback.  Thanks again for taking the time.  Bless you

Greenhouse or poly tunnel

Has GW done any articles on what is best when it comes to buying a poly tunnel or greenhouse? I was thinking of getting a greenhouse with the polycarbonate panes but don't know if they're worth getting or should I go for the old fashioned glass house? Is it just that glasshouses are nicer or are there other things to consider? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Slugs and Snails

Trouble with beer traps is you get at most 5 or 6 at a time. I literally have 100s of slugs in my veg patch alone.  I've used tons of coffee grinds, which have kept them at bay to a certain degree, but this only works when they're dry.  I collected over 100 yesterday morning, then again at 10:00 pm I went out & collected another 80 odd.  This is every day!!  The very mild winter and all the rain we've been getting just seems to be the perfect conditions for them.  As I say, this is only my veg patch.  My flowers are infested, and my lawn is totally covered.  I could probably sustain the entire population of blackbirds and thrushes on my lawn alone!

Talkback: Gardeners' World Magazine Seed Club

When I saw the title 'Seed Club' I thought it would be a place where gardeners would be able to swap seeds? Catherine 

green beetles on my cauli

pest problem 

Scented indoor climber

Greenhouse or poly tunnel

Advice on which type of structure 

Very sick fuscia