Ask Doug!-- our Garden expert in the Snug!

[Northern Lass]

He doesn't actually exist it is just a pseudonym for us lot and our expertise
in the Gardens!

Yes we are going to have a Garden slot!

So do you have Green fingers!
can you make anything grow!

As we leave winter behind...eventually...our thoughts turn to the darling buds of may...and all that need doin in the Garden

So do you have any tips?
Do you have a gardening problem?

I know we have some keen gardeners amongst us....a5 baggie ....a devil in the allotment

Post here and who knows we can help you

or maybe suggest open a bottle and call a gardener in....

[Annie]

Right I would like to know why our cherry tree only get cherry on one side.

Annie

[Northern Lass]

Right I would like to know why our cherry tree only get cherry on one side.

Annie

Could it be one side is in the sun?

http://www.treehelp.com/trees/cherry/care.asp

I too have a beautiful Cherry tree well I did and hope to get our lovely council tree expert down
about cutting off the top of it to encourage the growth...palleting? palleding? cant remember the name

Does anyone know....?

[gardener]

Pollarding? What they did when lady Jane Grey died? Chopped the tops off all the trees along the drive to Bradgate....so they told us at school

Actually think you don't mean that as it would be a bit drastic

[Northern Lass]

Pollarding? What they did when lady Jane Grey died? Chopped the tops off all the trees along the drive to Bradgate....so they told us at school

Actually think you don't mean that as it would be a bit drastic

That's it Pollarding!

Cherry trees only have a certain span and the one i have may ...benefit from pollarding

or it is for the chop!

[grangers14]

I love gardening
But only in nice weather
My husband was out yesterday starting to sort things out, can see the grass and soil still today, no snow!
We have a good size garden, front side and back, hard work for me when hes away to keep mind. Not easy pushing a lawn mower with one hand and having to keep the bar things together!
Weve just cut down two huge Silver Birch trees down, Steve cut the trunk up in slices for my winter/bad weather project!
I grow all sorts from seeds have a load of chillies in the kitchen. They were from my daughters chillis, I just kept some seeds from it and planted them! I have done that with tomatoes and peppers too. Saves buying them!
I love Lillies, just wish for a Madonna Lilly. Did buy one, wrapped it up, then lost it!
Last year my best was Bonfire Begonia, oh it was lovely! Have brought it in the house and hope it comes back. Have taken 2 cuttings but looks like only 1 will last.

Eeh I didnt know you were into gardening NL?
Jo

[Maths girl]

Pollarding? What they did when lady Jane Grey died? Chopped the tops off all the trees along the drive to Bradgate....so they told us at school

That is certainly the story -- apparently the gardener was so upset at the death that was his form of demonstrating his grief.

There are still some oak trees that look decidly "chopped" along the drive. The story also goes that Lady Jane Grey returns at midnight on Friday 13th's in a carriage -drives along to the house and gets out carrying her head under her arm!

[Northern Lass]

I am no gardener but I thought we could have a thread that might help others
with any Garden questions they have or perhaps others might have some good Gardening tips!

So we can all dive in and help each other...

[Annie]

Right I would like to know why our cherry tree only get cherry on one side.

Annie

I must be cracking up we don't have a cherry , it's Victoria Plum, so does anyone know anything about those.

Annie

[Rob]

You're talking about the " Prunus cerasifera " Annie?
You must always remember to prune in June to avoid what they call Silver Leaf and you need to prune back all the excess growth to just above a strong bud 10-12inches from the main trunk.
This helps to curtail growth and keep it manageable.
Doug? Am i right?
Oh and keep the centre open at all times to encourage air circulation.

[Annie]

Thank you Rob anything is worth a trying so hope it works.

Annie

[grangers14]

We have cut down two very large Silver Birch trees. One in the side garden was in the middle of the lawn, the one in the back we built like a planter thingy round it.
Both have had liquid thingy poured in the stump but as I read it, its just stops it from growing.
So do we just have to wait for the roots etc to rot away?
Or do we have to dig it up or take it under the ground?

Jo

[Carol]

Help - I have one huge veg patch from last year and no one to dig it over!

Any suggestions for veg that will grow easily without all the hard labour of preparing a huge patch. It needs to be very low maintenance at the moment.

What can I do that is not labour intensive but rewarding and edible later on.

[Rob]

We have cut down two very large Silver Birch trees. One in the side garden was in the middle of the lawn, the one in the back we built like a planter thingy round it.
Both have had liquid thingy poured in the stump but as I read it, its just stops it from growing.
So do we just have to wait for the roots etc to rot away?
Or do we have to dig it up or take it under the ground?

Jo

Dig it up!!!
Doug?? Am i right?

[Rob]

Carol you're going to have to work the soil a little bit but you know what's an easy peasie veggie? Beets!!
I've grown several kinds and all have done well and if you leave them in the ground long enough, they become the size of basketballs!!
Or the good old potato!! Potatoes can be easily grown from either seed potatoes or the old potatoes that have started to chit (sprout shoots). Thats chit!!
They can be grown in a trench and as the potatoes come up it is necessary to keep them watered and to cover the sides of the plant with soil.
Where's Doug?