Gardening Advice

Magnificent. Let them fulfil their destiny is my advice. Are they Hawkmoth Caterpillars ? 

ShootersHillGuru said:

Magnificent. Let them fulfil their destiny is my advice. Are they Hawkmoth Caterpillars ? 

I agree, I also think it's an Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar.  They are fond of Fuchsias.  If you really do not want it you could try relocating it to a woodland edge or rough grassland. They are probably having a hard time at the moment with it being so dry.

Now I know the name looked it up and definitely agree, will try to dampen the plants tonight so they can have a drink, fascinating thanks

Will try but grand kids tomorrow so might be busy, how long before they turn into a beautiful moth?

ShootersHillGuru said:

CharltonKerry said:

Will try but grand kids tomorrow so might be busy, how long before they turn into a beautiful moth?

The catapillar first turns into a chrysalis then the moth emerges. Not sure on timing but I think once it’s a chrysalis then a week. I have no doubt someone will know.

The grass in my garden has always been a problem.  It is weak, dies off the moment Summer arrives and has had for good measure a fungal growth underneath causing fairy rings and mushroom growth.

I have noticed of late the areas where clover is growing is at least green.  Not only the clover its self but the grass surrounding it.
Further research has revealed this is the case.  Clover has the ability to improve soil and introduce nitrogen into the surrounding area.  

I am going to order some Clover seed and try to introduce it all over the grass.  It'll never be a 'lawn', but if I can get it to be green and harder wearing I'll be chuffed.


   

Raith_C_Chattonell said:

The grass in my garden has always been a problem.  It is weak, dies off the moment Summer arrives and has had for good measure a fungal growth underneath causing fairy rings and mushroom growth.

I have noticed of late the areas where clover is growing is at least green.  Not only the clover its self but the grass surrounding it.
Further research has revealed this is the case.  Clover has the ability to improve soil and introduce nitrogen into the surrounding area.  

I am going to order some Clover seed and try to introduce it all over the grass.  It'll never be a 'lawn', but if I can get it to be green and harder wearing I'll be chuffed.


   

Looks to me like your lawn needs an autumn scarification.  A thatch of organic matter builds up at the base of the leaves that needs to be chopped out before a re seeding. You can do it by hand - bloody hard work or rent a machine to do it. Bit like a lawnmower But obviously a different outcome. Scarification will allow the grass roots to breath and get the nutrients and water needed. Plenty of videos on scarification on YouTube.

That's wonderfully improvised looks like decking for shelving and an old coffee table to give everything proper height for the seasonal low sun ..so what's planted so far ? Bit early for tomatoes..looks like geranium cuttings in there ..have to say it's a beautiful day for gardening @Raith_C_Chattonell

Raith_C_Chattonell said:

lolwray said:

That's wonderfully improvised looks like decking for shelving and an old coffee table to give everything proper height for the seasonal low sun ..so what's planted so far ? Bit early for tomatoes..looks like geranium cuttings in there ..have to say it's a beautiful day for gardening @Raith_C_Chattonell

Cheers Lol.  Primarily they are just seed potatoes chitting and a couple of cacti that may or may not survive the winter. 

I will use for tomatoes later on.  You are right by the way old decking panels.  I bolted the seed tray to that old bit of a plastic self so it don't tip up.  The biggest worry is that I've actually turned into my own Grandad  . 

That is exactly how I feel sometimes re parents and grandad 

Any one getting the bug yet? , it's been a bit harsh at times in the East Midlands this winter and I've lost some of my tropical stuff, but plenty of cannas bananas and my oldest Palm have survived, greenhouse stereo has pulled through so it's all systems go with a hippie sound track, much too the delight of my neighbour.

Try a bit of punk mate, that will do it  .
 

Been a promising weekend for it but then the schedule is rain all week now. I've started growing loads of stuff in one of the offices at my yard and its all doing well. Missus has gone kamikaze and put salad seeds out in a planter which I have covered and said a few prayers for. The primroses and other tough winter plants are loving it, I've chanced my arm with some violas in pots but am keeping everything else in the greenhouse. My ganja will go out soon surrounded by slug defence but by soon I realistically mean June. Baskets, hanging or otherwise will be mid May I predict once the trailing stuff has a chance 

jonseventyfive said:

Any one getting the bug yet? , it's been a bit harsh at times in the East Midlands this winter and I've lost some of my tropical stuff, but plenty of cannas bananas and my oldest Palm have survived, greenhouse stereo has pulled through so it's all systems go with a hippie sound track, much too the delight of my neighbour.

Did you notice that Monty Don lost his bananas?  He has now given up on the exotic stuff.

My tulips ( in containers) haven't shown yet ..everyone seems ahead of me 😪

We have been hacking and slashing over Easter. Most plants have survived but like most this year have lost a couple of shrubs. It’s a shame but that’s nature and on the plus side it is an opportunity to try something else. 
Like most gardens we have a slugs, snails and other pests  but we also have frogs, toads and a hedgehog which keep the formers in check. Our hostas, which I think of as slug bait, don’t really suffer too much. We have never in the 12 years we’ve been here used  pesticides on any of our plants, this was originally out of laziness rather than being eco-friendly but I now actually believe we’ve done the right thing. 
Our rear lawn is an absolute disaster this spring, full of moss, weed and dead grass. When or if it gets dry I’ll rake and dig out the crap, reseed and top dress, I do this on a yearly basis. A big part of the problem is it’s almost in permanent shade and despite all my work in levelling up and adding a good base we have a lot of clay and we are the lowest point in the road.  It will never be a bowling green but by June it will be green and relatively weed free. 
This years project,I’ve been told, is a pergola with retractable shading and lighting.