Doctorbob1's Outbox

I presume you mean pruning, with that type of Elder, if it is a young tree I would let it develop it's own shape for a year or two. Cutting back only promotes a lot of young growth and it is not altogether hardy.

Does look like a Rowan but not a common one, try Hupeh Rowan, sorbus hupehensis, just to put a spanner in the works.

Yes Bernard agree it's an Anthurium .

Lovely blog TT, The Aubrieta is beautiful, makes a very welcoming entrance for anyone visiting. I see you have lots of other things there for when it finishes. Glad to see Conker is delivering the Christmas mail for you, he looks very well.
Love to you all.

I realise that Peter & Ajay are experimenting with lots of new ideas for the site, but I don't think this one is really working. It is a bit disconcerting to be talking to someone anonymous who will dissapear as soon as they get their question answered, it takes away from the friendship feeling of the site, and I do agree about the way the questions are asked sometimes also no feedback which is always good as I am sure we all like to know the results gained from our advice.

I think you mean grease band for winter moth. October is the best time, not too late now. The moths are wingless and crawl up the trunk laying their eggs on the buds.,

The juice from them will damage the roots even now when it's dormant, also it will kill the grass and a host of small flies will breed on them. The blackbirds will peck them just for fun. What a mess.

Not the best mulch for the apple tree, but in Somerset perhaps they intend to make cider with them after they have been frosted, to break down the starches into sugars.

If your soil reads acid on the PH scale, putting chalk or lime on it will not make it chalky soil, you will have to replace the soil in bulk. i.e. by the lorry load. Bonemeal as SBG says contains calcium, often confused with lime when added to soil for acid liking plants. Chalk activates other nutriments in the process of producing the necessary salts required for normal plant growth. It can also be noted that overlying soil on chalk can prove acid. These are some of the details contained in my notes.

I am thinking, is it their own cesspit or septic tank which has the manhole to it?. Also it should have a vent pipe, covering them can only cause trouble. A pallet with blocks at each corner will cover it leaving a space underneath, a half barrel and four pots, one on each corner can be movable.
Move the pots, put two poles underneath to lift the half barrel.

If as Denise says it's old concrete, you can put in four supports to hold the pallet. Grow Ivy or trailing Lobelia in the tub and the whole feature should look round.

Replace the trough with a half barrel, that will look better.

Island Girl is in North Yorkshire, as Nicky says it may be late for that area. I am waiting for the rain to stop to lay turf in Surrey. Heavy wet turf's are not the best to lay at any time.

Ah, yes Sid you could be right, it needs to mature to be sure.

Could it be sugar beet?.

Are there signs of deficiency, which you can look up. Also did you sow your swedes before June. Fresh farmyard manure will not help with flavour.

Are there signs of deficiency, which you can look up. Also did you sow your swedes before June. Fresh farmyard manure will not help with flavour.

Just seen your picture of the Heron, our house was built on ground inhabited by Herons, we used to see lots of them a few years ago, they would sit on the fences but haven't seen one for some time now. Lovely birds.

Now Dawn we need a blog on this for all four seasons, especially in the spring, I would really look forward to that one.

Yes, I spotted it Dawn, I don't see any gaps in it so the stock must have been good, together with the preparation you did when planting. I see you have put some more in I hope this is on your account not the councils.

Dawn, I have had a great afternoon walking round your lovely garden, bear with me please there is so much to comment on. All that grass, can I see a ride-on mower going over the bridge. I leant a while on the footbridge, looked at the untouched frost, my brain is stretched to name everything I see. I imagined afternoon tea on the swing seat in the summer. The pond looking great or lake as some will say. The Dogwood is at it's best for the winter. I loved happy island for the birds, and the Reed Mace showing off. Self service for the Robin, all those maggots. The forest floor a larder of food for animals in winter. It's a dog's life for Bonnie. My eyes have seen the TLC you give to your wonderful garden. Thank you for the great tour.

So sorry Dawn, I'm late AGAIN. Beautiful photo of my favourite bird, I must put this in my favourites too.

They are everywhere Sue, I blame the Government. LoL.

Whats ironing, I heard my wife mention it once but I thought it best not to go into details.!!!!!!!!

Just noticed Spritz asking about the weather, very creaky in Surrey and one minute sun the next tornado's, quite strange. Hope Henry has his legs crossed Barbara. Lol.

I can heartily reccomend the Norton 360, if we have the slightest problem we ring the Tech guys and they can always sort it out over the phone (well so far). It costs about £34.00 for a year well worth it I think. Glad you are sorted Ian.

Great blog Ian, lovely children, Holly is beautiful and Sid has caught her personality perfectly, you must be very proud.

I agree with what Cliffo and Morgana have said. Humus is most important, but put clay with clay by breaking up very old bricks for drainage. Dig over your open ground rough to let the frost break it down. The top will have a fine tilth in the spring.

You can cut your Eucalyptus down now, taking 30ft. off will make it bleed, it should slow down before the spring. If you select buds and make a cut above, these buds will develop growth. Make a cut below the bud and they will not grow. Any you miss that do start growing can be rubbed out. This is a long term project and may not be succesful.

Before I go, I think it is Glaucophylia Variegata.