Ask Gerry

Hi Gerry, We moved into our new home over two years ago now, and we noticed a problem with our back garden immediately. We noticed that there is no soakage of water at all. All the water sits on the top of the grass and there is a slant coming right down to the back door. So all the water lodges at the top of the garden right at the back door. We were thinking of taking out the first quarter of the garden and filling it with gravel, would this be the right move? We want to be able to let our dogs run around it as well without being up to there neck in mud. How would you prepare the ground for such a job?

Just after digging out my garden for a patio. And it has produced a big mound whicj I have placed at the back of the garden, Id be interested in making a planted mound. Is it possible to rotavate such a mound its about 750mm high and 1500 mm wide. Also The garden area looks bad from walking on it will it come back to life once all work is finished. please look at photos inmy profile I need all the help I can get.

Hi Gerry, I have a square garden. We had it re-lawned last year so the grass is not that established. I want to incorporate some life into but am not a natural green fingers so am looking for maximum effect, minimum effort. Ideally low maintenance colourful shrubs with a bit of a wild look to them; I'm mad about the wild look. On sunny days the garden gets the sun for the entire day. I do not know what the soil type is.Any suggestions on what to grow would be appreciated as I haven't the first clue what to do! Thanks a million,Carol

hi gerry, we built a house last year now were trying to create a garden it's quite big and i just do not know where to start. its laid to lawn with one flower bed and a beech hedge, (so far) any tips? thanks.

Hi Jerry,I am about to prepare about a half acre of lawn for seeding. The problem is there are some very steep slopes in the area which would be a probelm to cut later on. Is there any kind of lawn seed out there that you dont have to cut very often and if so is it any good or does it look crapy? I would still put normal seed every where else.If there is no suitable seed then do you know of any lawn mower especially suited to large declines? Thanks Brian

Our garden is 3yrs old and was professional landscaped 2 yrs ago. The problem I'm having is that the lawn is very wet and never seems to dry out. In one corner after heavy rain a pond forms and last for days. What is the best way to tackle this problem and improve drainage. I've been advised that I need to put in french drains which is quite expensive Is there anything I can do myself without having to get the professionals in ?

Hi, I'm looking for some help please! I have a large mature garden but there are just a few areas which receive the sun for the whole day, but my main limitation is that we will be extending our house and don't know exactly how this will affect our garden yet. I will be receiving some bearded iris bulbs soon and feel it may be best to plant them in a container for next years' flowering, until I know where they can permanently reside in the future -around this time next year. I was thinking of building (well my husband will be doing that bit!) something like a raised bed, (??) but I don't know how deep the roots grow to know what depth of soil it needs to be able to hold? If you can advise me it will be great! Kind Regards, Hannah

Have used roundup twice this year but its seems to have made the weeds get stronger and bigger, areas that I have planted I have used plantex but weeds are coming through it. Any suggestions?

Hi Gerry, I have recently put an extensionon the back of my house and only have about 30 sq metres left, rectangular in shape. Trying to come up with some good ideas, any advice or where i could get some sample plans. Thanks

gerry, i am looking for a plant to put on boundary wall between me& neighbours for privacy. About 12 tall, maybe 3 or 4 wide but not "deep" at all,not to take up space in my garden or grow into neighbours -ideally as if I was able to build up the wall to about 12 feet in one section! Someone said to me, bamboo? If so what type? Also my whole garden is paved, I wouldn't want something with roots that would push up the slabs. Any ideas? Many thanks. Marian

Two large glass sliders look into this from kitchen. I know nothing about gardening. The wire fence is 5ft. There is a little gap between wall and wire. Would bamboo work here and how easy keep is it?

How do I turn a hummocky field into a garden without using weedkillers/ poisons? The area is rich in wildlife so this project has to be as kind as possible to the environment as is possible so as not to impact on the hares, badgers, etc. passing through. It's a 1 acre site, never been gardened before, and I want to make a start now on conversion to an eventual herb-veg-fruit garden. Not afraid of hard work.

we have adopted a patch of waste ground bordering road. measures @230sq mt. we are a charity - please advise best planting for area

I have a small front garden (photo) that was not well looked after and I want to change that. This summer I would like to have lush green grass and I am prepared to do whatever you suggest. I am not a gardener but I would like to develop an interest in the garden. Where do I start?