Tim Burr

Plant or weed....?

Pruning a Photinia

I cut back my Red Robin hard back in September without any ill effects.  It started putting out red stems/leaves in March and hasn't stopped since.  Its now bigger then it was in September, I'm sure.  I have been thinking about trimming it back now, but suspect I will be doing it again in September as the thing just won't stand still for five minutes.

Feeding meal worms to my nesting blue tits

I've often wondered what it must feel like to be a mealworm, lying on my back in a bowl and about to be snapped up by a hungry bird!  

Just a word of advice - if you plan to put out dried mealworms instead of live ones, please soak them in water first (overnight) and then drain.  Dried mealworms can dehydrate small chicks.

slug psychology

Have you tried dropping them in water and seeing if they rehydrate and spring back to life? 

Ants nesting in Bay tree pot

If not done so already, stand the pot on something to get it off the ground/patio.  Old bricks will do.  If I leave pots on my patio, the ants bury up from the joins in between the block paving and see the entrance to the pot as a new world to conquer and then inhabit.  Also, if you give the pot a really good soaking that can sometimes be enough to make them move on.  They don't like being waterlogged.

Too much time on my hands

Chutney?

Olive Trees

My Olive Tree in a pot is looking quite sorry for itself, and I thought it was on the way out, but the other day I dd spot some very early sign of new year buds.  I think the long cold spring has not helped.  I'm hoping it's just complaining but once the weather warms up, it'll sort itself out.

Gardening errors.....

I've just completely decked my Kerria Japonica to the ground as it was looking a right mess.  Ive now got quite a substantial gap in the border.  Now I'm wondering if I've done the right thing.  Only time will tell, no doubt!  I did read that they are pretty rugged and probably a bit thuggish so I don't think I've killed it! 

Anybody got any of their own stories of gardening disasters they wish to share and whether it came out alright in the end, or it was a complete disaster!

Red Robin shrub

I cut my Red Robin back hard in the autumn.  In the Spring it's thrown out so much new growth I'm sure it is bigger than before I pruned it.  My neighbours don't like it because it blocks out light from their garden, but I do try to keep it trimmed low, However I turn my back on it for five minutes and its re-grown 2 feet.  And yes, I'm forever picking up the leaves that take forever to break down if I leave them on the ground.  The leaves are a great hiding place for slugs if left on the ground.

Flaming Weeds!

Bought one of the best bit of kit in a long time today.  A flaming weed gun! Fantastic.  Turn on gas, ignite and whoosh - obliterating weeds like no tomorrow.  I know I might not kill the roots and they might be back, but to clear a whole path in 5 minutes was great and satisfying.  Wish I had bought one years ago!

Too late for a Chelsea Chop?

Plant or weed....?

Gardening errors.....

Flaming Weeds!

Stamped on lilies

Umbrella Plant

Crown Imperials

Too cold to relocate perennials?

Bird box v bird feeding

National DIY chains remove bug killer containing neonicotinoids from sale

Hellebores

Is it too late/early to move perennials?

New year growth starting early

Very underweight hedgehog found on doorstep

Tidying up herbaceous plants for winter