Alan Titchmarsh webchat

libbalobba

Hi Alan, you have more recently made quite a name for yourself as an expert on things Royal. Given this and the TV show do you still see yourself as a gardener first and foremost?

I'm still a gardener at heart and I garden everyday at home. It's just that I have been allowed to pursue other interests which keeps me fresh! The new book explores the Queen's houses in detail, looking at their history and the way in which they are used today. I hope it's an interesting read.

buffersmoll

Hi Allan can you help with raspberries. I let runners from old and very productive canes develop into plants in the bed at the side of the old canes but when the fruit on these new canes developed they were very small fruits with four or five berries, when any attempt to pick them they fell away or were nocked off. don't know the name of the raspberries I inherited them. They fruit twice a year May for the birds, Autumn for me. Many thanks for your guidance for so many years.

There is no obvious reason why your raspberries should have done what they did. Those that fruit early in the year normally have their fruited canes cut down to ground level once they have cropped, and the new canes tied into the support system to carry next years crop. Autumn fruiting raspberries are cut down to the ground each February since the brand new canes will fruit the same year as they grow. I would suggest you try a different variety such as Autumn Bliss which I love eating! Best of luck.

joannapiano

Hello Alan,
We had a good crop of Moneymaker tomatoes, grown in grow bags in our greenhouse, this year. The only problem was that they had very tough skins. I have resorted to making them into sauce.
This is the first time we have had this problem.
What variety would you suggest we plant next year?

The chances are that your tomato plants dried out a little in between waterings which would result in the skins being tougher. However, next year give Gardener's Delight a go; it has a very good flavour and will hopefully not disappoint.

henetha

Hi Alan,
I recently cleared a small flower bed which is almost always in the shade.
It's behind the back wall of the garage, and is about 6' by 2' . I have left a rambling rose which climbs the garage wall, but cleared some old lavender etc. I thought maybe a flowering shrub might be best now. Or some perennial which likes shade? Any suggestions, and when is the best time to plant?
Thank you Alan.

There are plenty of shade tolerant shrubs such as pyracantha and elaeagnus which will tolerate shade, and perennials like foxgloves and hardy geraniums which will be happy there too. At the risk of self-promotion, I have written a series of paperbacks called How to Garden, One of which is devoted to plants for shade. It will give you a much wider choice.

Penstemmon

Hi Alan,

It is a lifetime since my DH & I watched you and Alison in Music Hall shows in BROS! We have mutual friends in Bramley!

My gardening question is about a persistent 'fairy ring' in the grass (lawn would be a bit presumptuous!!) Is there a way to get rid of the toadstools or do I have to wait for them to go on their own?? Efforts so far have not been effective.

Ah, happy memories! It is fiendishly difficult to get rid of fairy rings without using noxious chemicals. It really is best to invest in a birch broom (like a witch's broomstick) and sweep them off the morning they appear.

Sorry not to be more helpful!

rubylady

How is it best to move container plants, buddleia, rose tree, cherry tree, beech tree from one house to another? Xxx

Do you mean digging them up from the ground and putting them into containers? Otherwise, all deciduous plants (those which lose their leaves in winter) are best dug up and moved between November and March.

However, if they are taller than you are, they may not survive the move!

Hi there, I'd go for something which is easy to grow and can cope with relatively dry soil. Try Geranium macrorrhizum or Hypericum calycinum. Both are quite low growing at under a foot high and have brightly coloured flowers in summer and some foliage in winter.

Hope that helps!

NfkDumpling

Hi Alan, I would appreciate your advise - even if Hilda doesn't!

I'm part of a small group (eight of us) who've been slowly adding flower tubs around our little market town (the council maintain they're too poor, although they have arranged insurance cover in case a box of plants breaks loose and chases someone down the high street).

It looks as if we may get permission to plant under the town welcome signs out on the main road. Because it's a fast busy road maintainence will be difficult and watering impossible. Please, can you suggest any inexpensive (or they'll get pinched), hardy, colourful plants which would not grow taller than one metre? The soil is good, well drained, neutral touching on acid. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

Hello everyone good to be with you! Even HildaW