BBC Gardeners' World

Comments

• Gemma

  03 May 2008, 08.33AM

  Hi Jane, I am a first time gardener. I never had such a big garden in my life! I have been growing green beans indoors. A bit too early I guess - I was too eager. They are 25cm high now. When is it safe to plant them outside? When is there no more risk of frost?

• Andrea

  06 May 2008, 07.48PM

  Can you please tell me this - i know this is probably a stupid question - i know its a good idea to cover carrots with either a plastic run or use fine garden mesh. I though you were not supposed to then disturb these physical barriers or the carrot fly would detect it asap. How though do you water the carrots that are beneath the barrier. Is it just a case of simply taking it off really quickly watering and then just replacing it - or am i missing something v obvious??

• Jean

  07 May 2008, 02.51PM

  Hi I'm new to gardening, but I'm going to have a go at growing my own veg. My question is I want to give the soil a boost what should I dig with it, to give it & the veg I want to grow a kick start?

• Kate, gardenersworld.com - reply to Jean

  07 May 2008, 06.38PM

  Hi Jean, you can improve your soil for growing vegetables by adding compost and well-rotted manure to it every year. For a quick fix for this year, try adding comfrey pellets to each planting hole before you pop your vegetable plants in. You can also add an organic fertiliser, such as seaweed, to your watering can to water the plants with, which will improve the plants' uptake of nutrients without damaging the soil's structure. Good luck, Kate.

• Anon

  07 June 2008, 07.00PM

  When is the best time to take lavender cuttings?

• Cate

  07 May 2008, 10.04PM

  I planted my peas nearly three weeks ago and there is still no sign of anything coming through, should I start again with a new set?

• rossco, telford

  10 May 2008, 08.28AM

  I built my raised beds in Feb' and had cabbage, runners and broad beans in them by March. I also have small pumpkin, courgette and even melon plants out and doing great. I constantly feel as if I'm behind but every time I read the blogs I feel good as it seams I'm ahead. WooHooo!

• Gypsy

  10 May 2008, 03.44PM

  I'm doing my Beaver Scout Bronze Award and wanted to plant my own vegetable garden. The seeds are growing but keep falling over. They look really skinny and weedy. Can you help me please. They are in plug pots at the moment. Thank you

• Linda Irvine

  13 May 2008, 02.42PM

  I had a bad problem last year with snails too, which cost me a lot of money in lost seedlings, this year I bought all my seeds from the £1 shop, I thought this will be fine until I get more experienced.

  I got 6 lots of veggies in one packet great value for money if they seed I thought, well so far all are looking terrific, sturdy, lovely colour, strong stems and good foliage.

  Is this a one off as I have always read buy good quality seeds, or is cheap not necessarily bad:) or maybe I have been lucky? Thank you. Kind regards Linda Irvine.

• Rupi Vij

  13 May 2008, 06.55PM

  I have been trying to find the seeds of Artemisia apiacea Hance (Artemisia caruifolia) and have been unsuccessful in locating viable seed which is essential for my study. Can you help?

  It is native to China, but also grows in Japan, Korea and Vietnam. It is sometimes confused with Artemisia annua L and this can present problems. Regards, Rupi Vij

• Alex

  13 May 2008, 10.41PM

  Hi really exited, my daughter Jessica and I have just been given an allotment. It needs a lot of work, no problem. But is almost mid may. What can we plant now, veg/salad to get good results. Hope you can help. Cheers Alex. P.S we know very little

• Kate, gardenersworld.com - reply to Alex

  14 May 2008, 01.15PM

  Hi Alex, you can plant a lot of crops right now, and it's the perfect month to sow seeds directly in the ground. I don't know how much work your plot needs, but if it's covered in weeds, dig over a small patch at a time, removing all weeds and traces of weed roots. It's a bit late for certain crops, like potatoes and tomatoes (although there's never any harm in trying), but you should certainly be able to sow runner and French beans, peas, beetroot, lettuces and salad leaves, winter cabbages, Brussels sprouts and courgettes directly into the ground now. Start off with easy crops, like courgettes, peas and beans, then when you're more confident, try branching out and growing your favourite veg. Good luck! Kate

• Jane

  15 May 2008, 04.12PM

  We have taken on an allotment this year and I am uncertain of how many of each plant to try for. For example how many courgette plants does a family of 5 (3 little children) need? We don't eat them every day! I've planted loads in pots and am thinking perhaps the children should sell some to friends. HELP!!

• David

  15 May 2008, 04.33PM

  Hi there, this year I have encountered 2 problems in my veg patch :

  1 - I sowed my carrots, beetroot and parsnip directly into the ground back in early April. They have just started to come up and with them an absolute plethora of horsetail weeds, not just in between my rows but right through them. I am worried the weeds will choke and stagnate my veg seeds ! Should I clear the patch and start again ? Is there still time to do this in mid may ?

  2 - I planted my asparagus crowns back in mid april and they have shot up and have got really tall and stringy looking ! I have earthed them up but they look like they are going to flower ! Is this normal ? Is it true that I dont harvest until next year ?

  Kind Regards, David

• Jane

  16 May 2008, 09.35AM

  We have taken on an allotment this year and I am uncertain of how many of each plant to try for. For example how many courgette plants does a family of 5 (3 little children)need? We don't eat them every day! I've planted loads in pots and am thinking perhaps the children should sell some to friends. HELP!!