Gran/Grandads Gardening Corner

ooh!! shysal I'll be really interested in hearing how that goes, I just managed to get both lawns cut this morning and honestly I'm shocked at the amount of moss in both of them. Last Autumn I stupidly let OH loose with some weed and feed with moss killer in it and now I have lots of bare patches where he chuckedscattered it. It looks even worse now I've cut the grass I'm going to have to get busy with reseeding lots of patches..

Do give an update on how it goes with that organic one ..

One of my neighbours very kindly cuts and cares for the grass on the landscaping at the front of our houses, very kind of him as we each own a section. Yesterday he was putting on the organic product that he always uses to kill moss, and which doesn't turn it black. If you read the product details it explains how the dead moss is digested by bacteria with no need to scarify. I have bought a bag plus a cheap spreader for my back garden, as I am usually too heavy handed with this type of thing, hence previous black lawn! I will report back on how effective it is.
www.amazon.co.uk/Bacter-Organic-Lawn-Fertiliser-20kg/dp/B00KVH0P6G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489406306&sr=8-1&keywords=Mo+Bacter&tag=gransnetforum-21

I'm having a new patio laid this spring, but he's not going to start until after Easter. My friend says he's really good - but really slow - so I'm not holding my breath about when I'll be able to enjoy the patio!

Yes Jalima it's a wonderful harvest time here. I have been madly bottling tomatoes, dealing with an overload of courgette, and enjoying lots of beans and carrots etc. It's been an unusually wet summer and I have been able to water the garden every day. Usually we have to be careful with water as we rely on two rainwater tanks for our supply.

Lots of thanks - you are all very knowledgeable, and thanks for sharing this.

I know where I want my sweet peas to go - there is a wooden arch that leads to a passage behind the summer house (the children love it!)and I think they would do well there.

Grannylyn I pad sense of humour ! You never know it might work!

I still have leaves but will get them up and see if anything has been helping themselves to the bulbs. Think I will get some in the green soon for next year though a move the one survivors. Thanks NfkDumpling

Hummus???

Just ordered some more Hydrangeas, Glam Rock this time. They are quite striking. They show more blue in acid soil, so I shall try one pot in alkaline and the other in acid conditions.

Liuckygirl if you are growing sweat peas for the first time, I would buy seedlings that will be easily available in the garden centres soon. After the danger of frost has past you can plant them out. I grow mine in a large deep round planter and make a cane wigwam for them to grow up.
They like lots of hummus and to be regularly fed when in bloom. I use tomato food. When the flowers die off dead head them straight away to encourage new flowers.
You can grow them from seed now. I plant the seeds in cardboard tubes from toilet/kitchen rolls as they do best with long roots.

I have Agapanthus in my garden, not knowing when I planted it that they like cramped conditions. I planted this one bulb (Headbourne) nearly 20 years ago and it flowers like a trouper it is by the pond against some rocks so I think it likes the heat from the rocks. I did by an expensive one from Tatton which I grew in a pot flowers were almost navy, but I left it out and we had a bad winter so it is no more. Liverpool is quite mild usually.

Does anyone grow agapanthus in pots? I have two pots with them in and although they have made leaves, they never seem to flower and I wonder if the pots are too big, because I seem to remember reading somewhere that they like cramped conditions. Also spider lilies. Are they the same?

Does anyone. Grow. cockburnianus? I ,,love it, but I wonder if it will try to take over,

Another question. Is there a clematis that will withstand wind? Really strong, coastal wind at that. There is an empty spot that is just crying out for a clematis, but it's in a wind tunnel. Any hope? I love them, have two in more sheltered spots and don't want to plant something that is automatically destined for the compost heap.

I've just pulled down my huge clematis ( winter beauty) which covers my shed. I don't like brown sheds so they ( mine & OHs) are both painted powder blue. Other halfs shed is covered as well but i will paint my one first.
Separated lilies. I now have so many I will be giving them away.
What I don't understand about leaving daffs and feeding them is: near us there are masses which the council have planted, as soon as they are straggly they are mown down and still look lovely the next year.

Have you had a dig around to see if the bulbs are still there Gill? Perhaps something small and hungry such as a mouse has happened along and eaten them.

Ah Jaxie - I am keen to grow sweet peas, as they are my favourite and I have never had a garden where I could grow them. What is it I need to be doing please?

Can anyone tell me what to do about my poor little snowdrops. It's a flower that gives me great pleasure when they bloom but this year they seem to have disappeared I only have 1 flower and about 4 blind plants. Have no idea what has happened but would like to save the ones I have. How do I get the blind ones to flower next year?

Time to plant your broad beans, sweet peas and hollyhocks for transplanting later.

The quandary will be with the walnut tree that the nuts will be formed by late August and you may have to relinquish some of the crop! (The tree surgeon said late August for us here in Norfolk - so it may be a bit different wherever you are Grandelly)

Nfk Dumpling thank you for your advice on the walnut tree, too late now to cut back then?? OK will wait now until August and give it a good old haircut.

Yes - definitely lots of red leaves now - I will wait until it needs a trim!

This thread is great for me as I am learning lots! It is very exciting to see this new (to us) garden emerging day by day.

And some of the roses in the scented garden that we planted are getting leaves!

Lucky ours are already putting new red growth out which looks lovely, are yours doing the same?If so, enjoy the colour and trim back later on.

Anya yes, it should look like old sticks at the moment! Don't worry.The vanille Frais is a paniculata form of hydrangea and mine doesn't have buds as yet either.Our normal hydrangeas do have buds , but are a different kettke of fish.
With the paniculata form, let it grow as it wants to for a year or so and then in late Winter /early Spring trim to make a nice framework, then just let it grow.As it gets bigger in the pot, trim back each year.When it does get buds, give it a feed.

Thanks both - when should I do that? - should I wait for it to grow a few inches and take that off to encourage the red leaves; or shall I wait till it is taller than we want?