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Bitten by a spider...... (2 Replies)
Sunday 11 May 20:42

I tried to move a garden spider from it`s huge orb web as it decided to make it across the entrance to our summerhouse. It ran up to my hand, and gave me 2 ferocious bites on the knuckle. Fortunately I`ve only got a painful finger, not swelling and other symptoms as described on the internet.

Pretty big beige coloured girl, with stripey legs, watch out for`em. I knocked her off my hand injuring her legs, so I`m sorry, but she is no more. I`ve never been scared of spiders till now. anyone else been bitten?

By Biggles: Planted pots ...... (7 Replies)
Saturday 10 May 18:15
....... at last. Just got the second lot of the chitted potatoes into the ground. Never thought we were going to do it. The last lot were Nicola which should be ready in 150 days. The first ones in were Semester. Biggs

By Meatloaf: Beekeeping (8 Replies)
Wednesday 07 May 10:39

By tilly: runner beans (5 Replies)
Friday 02 May 16:05
Can i grow runner beans in a grow bag ? I want to grow some as shade for the hens but there is a load of concrete where i want to put them and being lazy i wondered if grow bags would be the answer

By Sam, worthing west sussex, uk: Fruit Tree Help! (5 Replies)
Wednesday 30 April 18:07
As some of you may know I have recently added an orchard - hehehehe - to my garden...and i need some advice

By nothingelseworx

Houseplant help (4 Replies)
Tuesday 29 April 15:21

Hello - I have a small Ficus which is looking very sorry for itself. Most of the leaves are dead and have fallen off but at the tips of the branches there are new leaves and buds which seem to be growing quite happily. My question is, should I strip the branches off of all the old dead leaves and let the new growth carry on, or cut all branches back to stumps and see what happens?

Thank you for your advice.

n-e-w

By vivaciousviv: FAO Bramble (13 Replies)
Tuesday 29 April 13:09
Aaargh they got under the chicken wire.

By PATT: TWICE-BAKED SOUFFLES (3 Replies)
Tuesday 29 April 12:09
for some time now I have successfully used Delia's super recipe for twice-baked goats cheese souffles - and have adapted it using finely flaked salmon for those friends who either don't eat cheese or don't like goats cheese.
MY QUESTION (ideally to DELIA!) is whether there is a
sweet version of twice-cooked (say choc) souffles;
would that be workable? so useful when preparing fairly large number for a summer dinner party outdoors.

By *Crumbs

Buying plants online (5 Replies)
Sunday 27 April 21:48

After seeing the most beautiful peony on Gardener`s World, called Laura Dessert, I have tried to buy it from Claire Austen`s Hardy Plants, only to discover that the carriage on the eight pounds 50p plant is ten pounds to Ireland. Horrendous. Does anyone know of any reasonable plant vendors?
Did anyone else fall in love with it`s creamy fluffy beauty?

crumbs :-(

By nanny ogg: How do I ................ (6 Replies)
Sunday 27 April 13:10
prepare the old heavy rubberised dustbin that I would like to try and grow potatoes in? where should the holes
be? it is a very heavy duty dustbin any tips on how to drill the holes?
xxxxxxx

By Bluebear: Has anyone else got squirrels (5 Replies)
Sunday 27 April 10:25
Does anyone else suffer from squirrels in their garden, we are inundated with them and they are a real nuisance.
They eat the food we put out for the birds and even get into the so called squirrel proof nut and seed containers. Any ideas as to how to get rid of them?

By Anna: Growing broad beans (2 Replies)
Saturday 26 April 20:30
Hello,
My Son came home from school with a broad bean in a jar with water. It is now 16 inches high, what do I do with it. Straight in the garden or in a pot. Please help, he will be upset if doesn't get any beans from it.
Many thanks
Anna

By Karenskitchen: BBC Gardeners World (3 Replies)
Saturday 26 April 12:53
I was watching Gardeners World last night. Does anyone know why Monty Don won`t be on it until mid June. It seemed a very sudden disappearance and wasn`t scheduled according to the Radio Times. I wonders if he`s ill.

By Helen: Mushroom Risotto (6 Replies)
Tuesday 22 April 18:26
We made this tonight and it was absolutely delicious. So easy and quick! My chopper just arrived from Lakeland and i love it. I know we can all chop onions, press garlic etc, but this makes it fun! I am going to do the other "how to cheat" risotto at the weekend. I always thought risotto was dull but i am a total convert! Any other ideas for what to put in one?

By *Crumbs

Sunflowers (9 Replies)
Tuesday 22 April 16:52

I bought a pack of American Gigantic yesterday. Somewhere in the back of my head I remember planting 2 seeds together last time I did them, a few years back now..... or am I doting? I`ve admired the neighbours` each year, time to do some myself.

Can you just plant the ones you get from birdseed packs? These bought ones were over three quid for 20 seeds. Thanks, crumbs x

By *Bramble: Has anybody else got ... (8 Replies)
Monday 21 April 09:47
... RABBITS? There are gangs of them every morning in my garden, and I really really don't want to plant out my peas and beans, leeks and lettuce with that lot queueing up! I don't have fencing down one side of the garden, and don't want to if I can help it, any ideas for keeping them out? Bramble xxx

By Expat Badger

pots and frost (6 Replies)
Thursday 17 April 16:52

last Saturday it was 72 degrees and gorgeous sunshine, so i planted my pots up on the balcony and patio. This Saturday it's going to snow....rats.

I have heather, bizzy lizzie type little flowers and an ornamental grass (all names are in latin, so no idea what they're usually called, plant novice, sorry).

Question - Should I bring them all indoors or will they survive if i just cover them up? What should i cover them with?

Help!
xx

By Sam, worthing west sussex, uk: Potatoes (6 Replies)
Thursday 17 April 14:39
mine are STILL chitting....

By Sam, worthing west sussex, uk: Rhubarb (7 Replies)
Thursday 17 April 14:37
Have just brought my first ever rhubarb crown

By Dolly: Slugs/eggshells (2 Replies)
Wednesday 16 April 13:56
Found this -
has anyone ever tried it?
I find eggshells work for me, particularly around hostas.
I wash the shells out first, then place them on a metal tray which is stored in the oven. Take them out whilst the oven is on but put them back in the oven when you have switched it off: the residual heat will dry them and they will last longer. Then crush them with a rolling pin and sprinkle around your favourite plants.
Dolly
:0)

By red hot chillie pepper: Dried rose petals (4 Replies)
Wednesday 09 April 17:46
Hi all.
I am getting married next year and would like to know how to succesuflly dry rose petals so that i can use them to scatter on my tables at the wedding reception.

By Amanda - Ashford, Middlesex

Help - I am a first timer! (8 Replies)
Tuesday 08 April 21:25

I have ordered from Rocket Gardens an Instant Patio Container Garden to grow my own veg in containers or grow bags. It contains established plants such as :

Tomatoes x 5
Courgettes x 2
Yellow courgettes x 2
French Green Beans x 10
Runner Beans x 5
Mixed Lettuce x 40
Mizuna x 20
Rainbow Chard x 5
Rocket x 20
Garden peas x 12
Strawberries x 6

But when they arrive I haven't a clue what to do!! Do they all need an individual container? What sort of soil should I use? Can anyone give me some hints and tips please as I have never grown anything before.

To make matters worse I have ordered an Instant Herb Garden and strawberry plants also to be grown in containers.

I really am going to have to stop working from home cos I watch daytime TV and think ooh that sounds good I'll have a go at that, this time it was Alan Titchmarch!

By melanielou: compost ? (2 Replies)
Saturday 05 April 17:56
New to all this,just starting to grow my own veg,how do I start a compost heap cheers x
melanie

By *Bramble: Slug Pellets (7 Replies)
Saturday 05 April 14:06
This conversation is getting lost down the Compost Bin thread, and I wanted to tell you that these organic slug pellets are harmless! The slugs apparently just stop eating when they've had one of these, and go away and hide in holes to die, and the birds and cats and dogs don't get them at all. They don't leave a slimy trail and there is no neccessity to collect corpses, it says here.
Isn't that good? Now all I want to know it do they work? Has anybody else used them? I was wondering where the bodies had got to. I'll keep an eye on my delphiniums for teethmarks, and let you know :-)))