The Garden Doctor is IN !

[qbman1]

At the request of Dancing Queen (and we don't disobey her, do we ? ), here is a thread where we can share springtime gardening tips and, if anyone has any garden-related problems, there is bound to be some know-it-all around (like me ! ) who should be able to help.

OK, ask away....

[Kendhni]

I know little about gardening but I trust the full moderation team will be keeping an eye out for 'bush' related comments.

What I do know is that our azaleas and rhodies are doing brilliantly since we covered the soil with stone (apparently they like their roots to be protected ... I have never seen so much colour.

[david63]

Is garden a euphemism for the jungle outside the back door

[qbman1]

That's the place - where all your discarded Tesco trolleys are kept !

[qbman1]

Right, to start us off - my tip of the day on runner beans.

In the past, I had always sown the seeds direct into the ground in early spring and had excellent results but, for the past couple of years, the wet spring caused the seeds to rot and any of the poor little blighters that did struggle through were promptly decimated by the slugs and snails ! Last year, I tried starting off the seeds in pots in the greenhouse but the mice got in and ate the lot.

This year, I have mixed the seeds with a little moist potting compost and placed them in a freezer bag, sealed with a tie and placed in the airing cupboard. Within 4 or 5 days, the seeds had germinated and could be potted up (taking care not to damage the tender emerging roots). I had almost 100% germination and the plants are now all growing away happily.

Happy gardening.

[Andrea S]

Any advice on feeding tomato plants. ?

This year the OH wanted to try different types, very large , tiny and anything in between., To do this he has bought 24 plants from a garden centre.

Do some types need more / less feeding and any other tips you may have would be appreciated.
Failure will mean back to money maker.!!

[qbman1]

If you are growing them in Gro-Bags or proprietary compost, they shouldn't need feeding for a few weeks. As soon as the first fruit trusses appear, start feeding with a high-potash liquid feed (I have not found anything better than Tomorite). A weekly feed will be perfect and keep it up right through the summer to keep yields high. Make sure you keep them watered but take care not to over-water or you will get "blossom end rot" on the fruit. It is a good idea to remove the lower leaves as the fruit sets to allow light and air to reach the ripening fruit.

As an aside, I use tomato fertiliser for all flowering plants and the potassium aids flower production

[Jean W]

Andrea - that's brought back memories from about 40 years ago My Dad always grew Money Maker.

[qbman1]

My dear old Grandad always swore by Moneymaker as well. You can't beat some of the old tried and tested varieties.

Personally I prefer the small bite-sized fruit and you can't do better that good old Gardener's Delight - always reliable. This year I am trying Sungold as well.

[jacksparrow]

Any recommendations as to how you can do the garden without putting your back into spasm.... I have never known such pain... (

[Dancing Queen]

At the request of Dancing Queen (and we don't disobey her, do we ? ), here is a thread where we can share springtime gardening tips and, if anyone has any garden-related problems, there is bound to be some know-it-all around (like me ! ) who should be able to help.

OK, ask away....

Hey you taking my name in vain and there was me just trying to get you the recognition you deserve

Now how do I stop my husband dragging me round the garden centre as he did yesterday for two hours !!

[qbman1]

Any recommendations as to how you can do the garden without putting your back into spasm.... I have never known such pain... (

Simples - you do an Audrey Forbes-Hamilton as in To The Manor Born and "get a little man in" !

[qbman1]

Hey you taking my name in vain and there was me just trying to get you the recognition you deserve

Now how do I stop my husband dragging me round the garden centre as he did yesterday for two hours !!

Most "Garden Centres" are just made for you - they sell gifts, fashion, books, antiques, food...you name it. Anything but plants for the most part !

Personally, I hate them. Give me a good old plant nursery or specialist grower any day

[Dancing Queen]

Just shows how much I know calling it a garden centre as the place we went to was basically a huge plant nursery, other than garden pots/garden ornaments no other gifts etc for sale, actually although I wouldn't admit it I was quite impressed, it's a place I haven't been to for a couple of years and the choice was tremendous.

[qbman1]

There you are, you see - on the quiet you are a garden convert

[HK phooey]

I have a problem with molehills popping up in the garden. Short of standing out all night with a mallet what can I do to stop the little blighters?

[Andrea S]

QB Thank you.

It has taken me a long time to get OH to try something different. We have always had good crops but I don't want the new types to be a disappointment .
I had this silly idea that the bigger the tomato the more feed they would need.

Jean W

Even a chat topic can bring back nice memories.
The OH has probably been growing money maker for all of that time which is why I am trying to get him to be a little bit more adventurous.

[qbman1]

I have a problem with molehills popping up in the garden. Short of standing out all night with a mallet what can I do to stop the little blighters?

There are traps, chemicals, ultrasonic devices, all kinds to deterrents. Some even suggest growing a variety of euphorbia (E.Lathyris) will drive them off.

All you need to know is Here

If all else fails, get a grenade

[qbman1]

Looks a bit like a Triffid, but this is the Mole Plant

I'm not convinced it really works, though

[HK phooey]

I couldn't kill the poor things and don't fancy the electronic buzzers or the smoke as they wouldn't be good for my chickens. Someone told me that putting a child's plastic windmill in the hole would deter them as they don't like the noise but I'm not sure if they're taking the Michael. What do you think?

[Andrea S]

Oops. I made the same mistake as DQ. Where we went to was purely plants, trees and shrubs. Not a fancy pot in sight.

We have an allotment where the OH disappears to everyday. This is the first time he has ever used ready grown plants. 4 courgette plants also landed up in the trolley, his response was " I'm not wasting space for those I don't eat them.

I wonder if I will ever get him to a garden centre as they usually have nice tea rooms.

[david63]

Forget about the ultrasonic thingis all that happens with them is that the moles think that it is disco time and they invite all their mate round

The only way, unfortunately, is with traps

[Jacknian]

Ok you experts out there, how can I get rid of the hundreds of snails that are eating my bedding plants, without using the poisonous slug pellets ? We have a dog who eats anything in the garden and I'm afraid she would eat the pellets, stupid dog ! Worried about the birds eating the poisoned snails too. There must surely be something less toxic ?

[Andrea S]

Jacknian, Our garden has the same problem. We put down pots ( plant pot saucers) filled with beer. It deters slugs but I don't know about dogs. I would hate to be responsible for your dog having a drink problem.

[qbman1]

Ok you experts out there, how can I get rid of the hundreds of snails that are eating my bedding plants, without using the poisonous slug pellets ? We have a dog who eats anything in the garden and I'm afraid she would eat the pellets, stupid dog ! Worried about the birds eating the poisoned snails too. There must surely be something less toxic ?

There is a biological control which definitely works. We are totally organic and don't use pesticides but, for the last couple of years, slugs and snails have been a real problem. There is a nematode which you water on and they chomp away at the slugs. It is supposed to be effective for up to 6 weeks. I bought mine on Amazon - just follow the link.

Failing that, you go out on a damp night with a torch and collect them all up. What you do with them then is up to you......!