Longlad's Inbox

Hi longlad both Spritz and Andrew knowlegeable gardeners so their advice always good just throwing in an alternative.This a very limiting spot to grow on used to work in large hotel gardens with many a pine tree esp the dreaded larch a deciduous conifer how silly! So fed up with these constant needle clearing we cleared border at base of tree installed weed membrane and wrapped round trunk - not sure why as if rotted not a problem but just to be on safe side.Packed area with turf and edging off cuts grass side down planted up with alpines dwarf bulbs cyclamen etc dressed with gravel or bark in other areas.Didnt stop needles but gave nice display before they fell.

Sarcococca, epimediums, bergenias and periwinkle (vinca) will all take dry shade once established. Just keep watering them until they are growing away strongly and then again if they look like they are struggling.

Ferns! I've just planted a whole lot in a shady area under a Pittospermum. There's also Pachysandra which is supposed to grow anywhere, and does spread well. Buckthorn I think also likes this kind of area.

My allotment in East Grinstead costs about £13 a year, we have water troughs, a car park and some communal tools to borrow. Close proximity is quite important as if it's nearby you are more inclined to pop down there regularly. Also,it's cheaper than moving to a house with a larger garden!

Hi both - sorry to hear about your bad experiences with ebay. There are reputable dealers out there, but I agree it's hard to tell one from t'other. May I suggest to Longlad that he joins his local Freecycle group and posts a request for a rotovator and a trailer. People on there are generally decent and generous. . You may well be lucky. Go to 'Freecycle.org' and find your local group to join. It's worth it! People offer all sorts of things no longer wanted from baby toys to computers! (they ask for all sorts too!) Last month I was given 2 tubs and 2 troughs and have today given a lady a bootful of plants I hadn't space for. Try it - it's a good system.

don't talk to me about ebay! just had a bad experience with a rose grower on there - i wont mention the guys id or name as i would proberly be breaking all sorts of laws but this guy is completely unbelievable! i bought two rose bushes off him mid october, firstly he would'nt combine postage, he charged me seperate for each. anyway about ten days went by and still no roses so i messaged him and he was really stroppy and said that the 'crap' post office had cocked up all his orders lately - and i had recieved all sorts with out problems over the same time period. anyway he basically accused me of lying about recieving them and then yesterday they turned up dead and dry as a bone, - he had sent them bare root 2nd class post! when i returned them to him i sent them 1st class, and it cost me less than half of what he had charged me to send one, second class. needless to say i am still waiting for a refund! - i just dont know where some ebay people get off - i'd never do that to one of my customers!

The very snazzy allotments near to me cost £35 a year with pic-nic area, shop and toilet facilities on site - free horse manure too! I suspect that people might pay that much if they think it is the going rate.... London, I suspect, could get that pricey.
What a shame! I should stick to your own plot and make the 3 mile journey!