Grindle's Inbox

Love the curves! your hard work really has paid off...:-)

I always plant sweet peas in October and over winter them, they make strong plants and get off to a flying start when planted out in early spring.

I have sown some cauliflower seeds which are showing themselves now. I intend to overwinter them in a cold frame hoping for some early ones next year.

Hi Grindle, I sowed spring cabbage seeds and spinach seeds last weekend but it's my first time so I'm afraid I can't comment on the success yet.

Wow Grindle, it looks great - what a difference!

Same as Hoya - I take cuttings (never have enough) and then cover mine with a fleece jacket and fill with straw (I do live in Hampshire which is warmer than some). They seem to survive better outside than moving the pot into the shed (possibly because I forgot it was there and didnt give it any water - ho hum!) But good luck they are worth growing for the smell alone.

Please be careful they ARE poisonous.

Prune them back hard - to whatever space you have, then put them in greenhouse/tunnel/conservatory and try to keep frost free. I keep mine above 3 degrees mostly! Keep them dry throughout winter and in april start watering/feeding with nitrogen feed, pot into new compost - in bigger pot when you get them out in may, then feed and water like crazy all season - then you get hundreds of flowers!! Lots of hassle - but so worth it! and take lotsa cuttings cos everyone wants one!!

I would seriously recommend that you draw a rough plan of each area so that when you plant, you know the height and space that each plant will reach. Also you have the opportunity to colour code (such fun!) I really enjoyed planting my new border, and will soon have the chance to create another one where we had to remove a bramble-infested escallonia hedge - it's going to be purple, white and gold :-)

I would recommend double digging. Although it is extra effort, it pays off in the long run. My gaden is VERY heavily planted but everything is doing fine as every border was double dug before any planting was done. It all gets a general feed every year in early spring now. The only border where I didn't do it had to be emptied and redug after six years.

Hi Grindle, I've got to dig over a small part of my patch again. Although it was hard work the first time I enjoyed it and am looking forward to digging again. This time all the builder's rubbish won't be there so it should be easier and I'm contemplating double digging after seeing a video of Monty doing it - that probably says more about the smallness of the patch though :o)

Hi Grindle - well, we went yesterday and it was good! Really enjoyed the day, though Celebrity talk was missed as the hall was full to bursting. came home with new purchases galore!

We are planning to - for the first time! Hope it's as good as you say... :-)

It's looking really lovely Grindle. Isn't it a good feeling when the hard work pays off?

What is this rose? it's lovely!

Lovely Heuchera - and looking far better than mine!

I'm near the top of a hill too, so so far not too bad, work plenty of humus, compost/ manure, into your soil and you won't suffer too badly when we get the next drought, it helps to hold the water, and feed your plants. Mulch in spring too.

Hi Grindle good luck with the new garden, the weather is a pain at the moment, you are not alone, some have gardens under floodwater, post some entries in" my garden"
and we can share your progress and commiserate if this continues...don't mind the botanical names, easy to google for them, or look for the same plant in someone elses garden.

What a beautiful paeony! Do you know what it's called?