Gardening

November Questions & Answers

Q. Do I need to drain down my stone waterfeature for winter or is there anything to prevent the water from freezing?

A.Yes the best thing to do is drain the feature down as ice can crack the pump and feature, also take out the pump and clean and store in a safe place indoors. Drain and cover the feature using a commercial cover designed to fit the feature. In addition make sure all the external taps and pipes are drained.

Q. I have had some hedging plants on order with a centre for several weeks, they have not arrived yet, is there a problem with bare root plants?

A. Due to the very mild weather growers have been unable to lift hedging and trees from the field. They are however arriving in Garden Centres this week and next, due to colder weather finally arriving.

Q. Can Raspberries and Gooseberries be planted at this time of year or do i need to plant in Spring?

A. Yes you can plant Raspberries and Gooseberries at this time of year providing the ground is not frozen. The roots will establish over the Winter and allow the plant's to develop faster in Spring and Summer.

Q. Can you recommend a couple of Evergreen Winter/Spring flowering plants that are easy to grow?

A. Viburnum tinus is an excellent Winter and early Spring flowering plant, producing lots of white flowers from November to March. Viburnium davidii in both Male and Female forms produce white scented flowers in early Spring. Both are very easy to grow reaching a height and spread of around 5' in 10 years.

October Questions & Answers

Q:  The leaves are falling from the trees in and around my garden.  Can I use these to make compost?
Mr. D. Emry. 

A:  Yes, leaves can make excellent compost (leaf mould).  Some leaves are acidic e.g. Oak and may require some lime to reduce the acidity.  It is also recommended to use a compost accelerator e.g. Garotta.

Q:  I have a Rhododendron called Queen of Hearts; can you tell me why the leaves don't fall even though the label says deciduous?
Mrs. Hope. 

A:  Queen of Hearts is an evergreen shrub; the label has been incorrectly printed.  When buying always check information with staff in the garden centre.

Q:  My mossy Saxifraga have been turning yellow and are starting to rot off at the base.  Can you tell me what the problem is?
Mrs. Dent. 

A:  Alpines require free drainage and dry conditions around the base of the plants.  You may be able to help them by applying a half inch layer of gravel around your alpines.  With exotic types a sheet of glass or perspex held on supports will protect these delicate plants from rain.

Q:  I am planting some large container grown trees this autumn.  What feed should I use and how do I support the trees?
Mr. R. Coal. 

A:  One of the best fertilisers to use is blood, fish and bone meal as it slowly breaks down releasing nutrients over a long period.
If the ground is heavy, incorporate tree and shrub compost into the planting area.  Support with a low-level hardwood stake inserted on an angle to avoid root disturbance.  Secure with a flexible tree tie, always place the stake to the wind ward side of the tree.

Q:  I have recently had a patio built in my garden and my Leylandii hedge next to the patio has started to go brown.  Can you advise me on this problem?
K. Trowles. 

A:  This may have been caused by preparation of the foundations.  It may be possible to rescue them by increasing watering and applying a fertiliser which is high in potash e.g. Tomorite.

September Questions & Answers

Q: I have several bush roses in my garden, when do I need to prune them?
J.V.CARTER

A: Roses can be trimmed in October to prevent high winds loosening the crown and roots. Trim up to half the growth. You can prune further in February/March once the winter has taken its toll.

Q: Worms are causing me a problem leaving large numbers of casts, is there any control that I can use ?
C BRIGS

A: Yes the numbers of worms can be controlled by increasing the acidity of the soil, This can be achieved by applying a dressing of lawn sand or sulphates of iron before the end of September. Always use a besom to brush away casts before cutting.

Q: My lawn is developing yellow areas especially in the areas near the children's play equipment.  Are the children damaging the grass?
Mrs. D Barnes

A: This problem is likely to be compaction of the soil caused by prolonged heavy use.  This reduces aeration and reduces the ability of the roots to penetrate the ground.  Relieve compaction by using a hollow tined aerator or garden fork to penetrate the ground every 6" and to a depth of 5".  Brush sharp grit/sand over the surface to fill the holes and improve drainage.

Q: My Leylandii hedge has been allowed to grow too high.  I will need to remove 3-4' from the tops, when is the best time to do this?
Mr. G Grant

A. Autumn is the ideal time for heavy pruning of many trees and shrubs as growth and sap flow reduce with the cooler, darker days.  Trim your Leylandii approximately  one foot lower than the desired height to allow the top to fill and be clipped level in the summer.

Q: The lawn we put down 6 months ago is looking a little tired.  What can we do to perk it up?
Mr. J Moor

A: To improve the lawn at this time of year you must use an autumn lawn feed or combined autumn feed and moss killer.  The autumn feeds have reduced nitrogen and increased potassium phosphates to encourage root growth without stimulating soft top growth.    

August Questions & Answers

Q: I would like to create a seaside effect in a shaded area of my garden.  Can you suggest any suitable plants and materials, which I could use?

A: This is an ideal opportunity to create an ornamental theme using grasses, Phormium and bamboo.  Such plant groups, together with their variegated foliage types, will give a great seaside effect. Why not decorate the area with cobbles (which must be purchased from retail outlets and not taken from the coast line) as well as driftwood to add more impact?

Q: I have heard of a plant, which has a distinctive chocolate scent.  Can you tell me if this is true and what it is?

A: The answer to your question, surprisingly, is yes!  The plant is called Chocolate Cosmos, it has a rich brown flower and a distinct chocolate smell.

Q: I have recently purchased some crocus bulbs and would like guidance on how to plant them in a pot.  Can you help?

A: Crocus bulbs must be planted with the pointed end at the top. They should be planted at approximately twice the depth of the bulb.  It is recommended that you use bulb fibre instead of compost and that you water the bulbs in after planting.  And why not top dress the pot with some decorative grit or gravel for added effect?

July Questions & Answers

Q:  I cut down a tree in my garden about a year ago and there is small yellow fungi growing on the stump and in my borders.  Some of my plants have died in that area, can you tell me if this is because of the fungi and if so what can I do?

A:  The soil should be saturated with a fungicide called Armillatox.  This will kill off any fungi and spores in the soil.  Remove any of the plants in the area which have died and avoid planting in the area for 6 months.

Q:  I would like to paint my garden shed but I have plants growing around it and they are quite close.  Last year I ruined some of my plants with creosote.  Can you suggest anything I can use that will not harm my plants?

A:  You can by a product called Cuprinol Timbercare which is a water based paint, this will not harm your plants if it comes into contact with them, it comes in several colours and is friendly to pets and children.

Q:  I have recently planted a Buddleia to attract butterflies to my garden.  Could you please advise me of something which will attract birds to my garden?

A:  The best thing for attracting birds is Sorbus (mountain ash) and Pyracantha these produce masses of autumn berries which help to feed the birds in the important time leading up to winter.

Q:  I am looking for some dwarf bulbs to plant in my rockery and also in my border beneath some deciduous trees and would like them to flower between January and March.  Could you suggest anything and can you tell me when they will be available to buy?

A:  There is a wide variety of crocus available which will flower January, February and March.  Cyclamen corms which will flower the same time as the crocus as will the gallanthus (snowdrops).  Iris reticulata this is a miniature iris 3-6" in height, these are all available in the garden centre from the beginning of August to the end of September.  These can be planted at the end of the year.

Q:  Last year I planted a large amount of bulbs in a wet area of the garden, all of the bulbs rotted off.  What can I do to prevent this happening again?

A:  If you do wish to plant bulbs in this area for early winter or spring colour, I would suggest that you excavate some of the soil out to a depth of 3', fork over the bottom of the hole and mix 1/3 horticultural grit and 2/3 soil to produce a fast draining and well aerated soil.  

June Questions & Answers

 

Q: When is the best time to prune the pyracantha that i have growing against my garden wall?

A: A good time to prune these spikey subjects is when they are in flower.  This means you can safely prune them without removing excessive blossoms and therefore still retain a wonderful display of berries in the autumn.

Q: I have just acquired an overgrown allotment and was wanting to kill off all the weeds.  What chemical can i use that will allow me to plant within 4 weeks of application and not leave any harmful residue?

A: Round-up is the ideal chemical as this contains glyphosate which is drawn up in the plants system and kills off the roots.  It will kill all plants that  it is applied to.  The best time to apply this is in the morning and when there is no wind to prevent it from blowing the spray on to neighboring plots.

Q: I planted several shrubs earlier this year.  Most of them have gone brown around the leaves.  What can be causing this?

A) This problem is possibly caused by lack of water.  When the new plant is growing it requires a good root system to supply the rapid growth.  You will need to water at least twice a week or more regularly during hot or breezy weather to encourage the new roots out into the surrounding ground.

Q: I am building a cascade and am unsure of how much water flow will be required for a good flow.  Is there an easy way to work this out?

A: A quick and reliable way to work out the accurate flow for a cascade is to connect a hosepipe to the feature and turn it on until you reach the correct flow.  Collect the water at the base of the cascade for 1 minute with buckets with 1 litre markings, note the litres and multiply by 60.  This gives you the litres per hour, select a pump with the correct flow rate for the height required.

May Questions & Answers

Q: I have a container which at present is empty and it has an obelisk in the middle.  I would like to put in a clematis but nothing too large.  Can you advise me?

    Mr. Jacobs

A:  A variety called Clematis Pixie would be suitable as this is a dwarf variety, ideal for a container.  It's qualities include, Gently scented white flowers from May to July, it is also an evergreen climber, growing to a height of 4’6” – 5’.

Q:  I recently purchased some concrete stoneware and over the winter months a white residue has been coming to the surface, is this a fault or should it happen?

   Mrs. Jackson

A: This is a perfectly natural process as you may or may not be aware concrete contains lime when the feature becomes wet for any length of time the lime comes to the surface, this is quite easy to solve.  All you need to do is get some ordinary patio cleaner and wash down the surface of the feature.  Repeat the process if required.

Q:  I am looking for something a little different to a normal everyday obelisk, can you tell me of anything else along the these lines that will do the same job?

     Mr. Smith

A: Willow and bamboo obelisks do the same job, coming in a wide range of shapes and designs, from wigwam to chimneystacks.  They provide an attractive alternative to the usual form of plant support.

April Questions & Answers

Q: Is it too early to plant up my hanging baskets with summer bedding, to go outdoors now?

J. Coates.

A: It is too early to place tender summer bedding outdoors, though now is an ideal time to plant up and grow on baskets providing you have a conservatory or ideally a glass house.  You will probably need to use a heater if frost is forecast.  When planting, mix watergel with the compost and also slow release fertiliser e.g. Osmocote.  Both plug plants and 9cm bedding are now available.

Q: I am putting 5 large rose arches down my front path and adding poles to them to create a pergola walk way.  Can you suggest any plants apart from roses as I am concerned about the thorns?

Mr. Dickinson.

A: Clematis are a good choice as you can plant several varieties to give flowers from spring to autumn e.g. Early Sensation, evergreen with white, fragrant blooms in early spring.  montana “Elizabeth”, Pink flowers in late spring and “Miss Bateman”, white flowers June - September.  Wisteria and Honeysuckle also work well.

Q: My ornamental grass border is rather featureless and lacking height until the seed heads form, what can I do to give evergreen height and shape?

Mrs. Price.

A: Phormiums with their tall sword like leaves will add striking architectural features giving both height and colour.  They grow easy on sunny, free draining soil and are hardy.  As the plant develops, striking seed heads form late autumn.

 

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