Gardening Tips for March

[HAL9000]

David Cheetham Wrote:

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> MSGD stands for Member of the Society of Garden

> Designers

Oops - picked the first hit that came up on Google. I stand corrected.

> not sure who Mary Stevenson is?

Nor I. Clever bit of self-referencing, though - grabbing the first spot on Google like that - no slouch, is she?

[Mick Mac]

Today Matthew, I will be.....scarifying

Yep - the lawn regeneration has begun. Lots of raking. Trip to BnQ etc.

At my age this is a very exciting tim eof year...

[David Cheetham]

Well I've had a bit of a lazy day gardening wise - more of a very long lunch for most of the day. But, pleased to report that the potting shed door was banging backwards and forwards yesterday as I tried to get some sort of order in my garden.

It was mainly gathering up the last remnants of dead leaves, sorting out an array of frost broken pots and planting out some sow-direct veggie seeds. I'm not trying to be self sufficient veg wise especially with a growing area 3ft x 3ft, but very impressed with last year's crops regardless of the somewhat limited yields.

And, if you too have limited space invest in some grow bags. There is a whole online world dedicated to growbag gardening.

Regards

David Cheetham MSGD

[????]

Dave, Side return, east facing just early morning sun...any ideas? I'd like tomato grow bags for the kids but not sure they'll get enough light?

[*Bob*]

David Cheetham Wrote:

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> But, pleased to report that the potting shed door

> was banging backwards and forwards yesterday

I think I can hear some 'Carry On' music playing..

And ????.. I'm no expert with regards to what children want, but wouldn't they prefer a Nintendo DS rather than the tomato growbags? I mean, sure, *Bob* Junior seems happy enough with his tray of cress at the moment, but it's only a matter of time before he realises he's been had.

[SteveT]

Gardening is a bit too slow for most children, if they were anything like me found it rather dull as a child.

The older you get the more interesting it becomes.

[Lord Sornoff]

Some sage wisdom there, old stick.

[David Cheetham]

Hi ????

With regards the grow bags and tomatoes, yes you are right unlikely there will be enough sunlight down the side return.

However, veg for shady areas could include lettuce, broad beans, beetroot. Or what about some berries such as raspberry or blackcurrants and obviously the all time favourite rhurbarb though this does like a bit more space.

Regards

David Cheetham MSGD

[woofmarkthedog]

And so, the War ended...

W**F

[charliecharlie]

Hello David... lovely thread, are you going to become the new 'Station Manager Corner' of the forum? (which has attracted 26 pages of posts!!). In honour of your tips I am going to try to find you the perfect shed...

are you this???

http://www.oldgwernyfed.co.uk/photos/og%20garden%20shed%20large.jpg

[charliecharlie]

or more of a traditionalist, like this?

http://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk/store/images/d_3988.jpg

[charliecharlie]

or even this????

http://www.immediat.ch/workshop/super_effect/bColdDarkMatter.jpg

[sophiesofa]

garden man also has monthly gardening tips in the local businesses section so you've got competition (and he started first) but he doesn't have a shed so I can't decide who my favourite is.

[David Cheetham]

Well charliecharlie,

Many thanks for the shed research. Torn between option 1 and 2. Option 1 has rustic charm but option two looks like it would be warmer. Sorry but choice three not really doing it for me.

Just finished the first chapter of "Percy Thrower's Garden Notebook" which seemed to be all about raspberry canes and rows of lettuce. However, the garden tip of the chapter was; if you want to maintain a steady crop of lettuce throughout the months espically the months when it is expensive, then cover 6-8 young seedlings with an up turned flower pot and place a tile on top. Repeat this the following months with another 6-8. The seedlings will continue to grow but at a slower rate.

Never tried this, but going to test it with the carrots this year.

Happy gardening!

Regards

David Cheetham MSGD

[charliecharlie]

got it!! the perfect one... rustic and cosy

and mobile, so you can go from garden to garden giving tips without ever having to leave the comfort of your own shed...

http://a1.vox.com/6a00d10a7a08898bfa01101845ef59860f-320pi

[SteveT]

I love your pictures Charlies, I used to dream of a mobile home like that one when I was a kid.

Today I purchased a piece of guttering and two end caps, filled it with compost and planted a bag of peas and french beans along it's length, and now it's raining which saves me from having to water it. Hooray.

[candj]

Loved that Cornelia Parker Charliex2, very surreal.

[Mick Mac]

Don't know if David would agree with these points but seemed interesting to me.

Lawn tips used by greenkeepers

Are slow release nitrogen fertilisers the norm? and by deep watering I assume he means occaisional heavy watering being better than regular light watering?

A rich cover of grass makes it more difficult for weeds to grow in your lawn - I assume this would come from more heavy seeding than is suggested on the back of seed packs?

How often should you feertilise for a perfect grass growth with no gaps?

He says golf greens are established on a bed of sand for good drainage which might be right - but if you did not have the foresight tp do that then can you water sand into your lawn regularly or how can you improve the sand content/drainage in other ways?

If David or anyone knows about this then thanks in advance.

[ruffers]

Dear David

I want to put plants in window boxes on my balcony which may tumble over the edge, with any flowers being basically white.

Any recommendations please?

Thanks!

ruffers

[Mick Mac]

Deleted as thought someone was taking the Mick.

[woofmarkthedog]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Don't be a tw*t.

___________________________________

Quite right..

This is a gardening thread

W**F

[Mick Mac]

We all know what he was getting at Woof. He's just a bit more clever than you.

[ruffers]

Lost me there lads. Seriously.

[woofmarkthedog]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> We all know what he was getting at Woof. He's just

> a bit more clever than you.

________________________________

Ermmm

Not about gardening really

Carry on David..

Where were we ?

W**F

[Mick Mac]

A misunderstanding - I'm going to leave it there.