Ask Gerry

My father is eldery and has decided to lay stone chips down on the grass to save him having to cut the grass in the future. The level of the grass in terms of the pathway is low enough that we don't have to take off the top layer of grass. QUE: Should we kill the grass before we lay the horticultural fleece and if so, what should we use? It would be the intention in the Spring to cut holes in the fleece and plant shrubs.

I have one large half barrel which i want to make into a barrel pond, where can i get an oddment of pond liner for this, i am on a disability pension and never could afford a massive piece for this one feature. Thanks in anticipation.

Small garden facing north some ideas for nice colour throughout the year, also has red brick wall around garden -- two side entrances with doors to back garden.

our neighbours have built a new extension which overlooks our back garden. I would like a suggestion for hedging or barrier of some kind. There's a wall of 6 feet approx between the houses but as the floor of the extension was raised they can now see right over our garden. i would be grateful for a solution.

I have some pylons within view of my house. Now that the leaves are falling off the trees they look closer than they are. How do I cover these up? What are the best trees/other to make the garden look lovely & draw the eye away from these? What's the best way to plant them & where's best to buy them?

Our house is a modern red brick dormer on an acre site. We are now developing the garden and have sown a lawn and planted some trees. The lawn is divided by a driveway up to the house. The look is very plain and uninteresting. Some planting is required. Could you recommend some plants that would be fairly easy to maintain and look well.

Over the past couple of years I have noticed a brownish slippery substance on my 'tar and chips' yard and paths. this has increased 200% this year and is very obvious when the ground is wet. It seems to shrink when the ground dries. In time it turns to moss and looks terrible. I cant brush it off as this removes the chips. Is there any treatment you can suggest?

I would like some help or advice on how to get rid of moss from a pavement. i would like to permanantly remove this moss. i've tried some products from various garden centre's and applied as advised but they have only removed it temporarily.any help or advice would be appreciated

I am paving the entire of my concrete rectangular yard (15' x 6') with paving slabs. I have read the paving section but am wondering if I can lay the slabs on sand as I'm hoping to do the work myself and would be nervous about getting involved with concrete/mortar.

I've spent weeks strimming and weeding a big area that will eventually be covered with weed barrier/stones, but until that day I just want the area kept clear of weeds/grass. After clearing it, I sprayed with Roundup, but when new weeds/grass started growing, I found out that Roundup only kills active plants. I read somewhere that Pathclear prevents germination for up to 3 months, so a week ago I resprayed the area with Pathclear, but weeds/grass haven't died off yet. Am I using the wrong weedkiller? I measured the water correctly so had the right mix.

Our back garden is paved with bricks and we cannot keep the weeds down. It has no drainage what so ever and when we remove the weeds they are back before we have finished whole area. we have tried weedkillers but to no avail. there is grass growing between the bricks aswell. What advice would you have to get rid of them once and for all. We have 2 dogs so have to be careful what spray.

When is the best time to landscape an existing garden?

Just wondering what would be best to plant on bank (see attached photo). Bank is along busy road. Would like something relatively maintenance free and perhaps some colour. Roadside faces north. Soil quality would be average. Many thanks.

I have a raised percolation area and it has grass and weeds growing on it. I would like to know is there anything I can plant on it that will have nice flowers and maybe take over from the grass. It has been suggested to plant a lawn there but I thought I would get some opinions on it. I have a good large lawn already only planted last year so my garden is only new (blank canvas!)