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Over the years, Gerry has answered more than 5,000 of your gardening questions. His knowledge is based in science and practical experience, and by working on radio and television.
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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 ?
Gerry,We are laying a patio of about 100sqm and given its size are trying to keep price at reasonable level. Want to achieve the look of yellow sandstone paving and have seen dyded concrete paving slabs which look great but are worried about the colour fading over time (even though would seal it every 5 yrs). Wondered if you had any experience of how these concrete slabs age over time (colour wise). Maybe better off paying extra for natural sandstone?(double the price) Thanks .
Hi GerryI have a sloping bank at the back of my house with a wet corner at one end. Can you recomend plants that are easy to maintain. I will be mulching between the plants. Are there are pictures of landscapped slopes that are mature. Sometimes it nice to see what the effect will look like in a few yearsWhat would you think of dogwood (red and yellow). Is this a hard plant to maintain.The effect of this plant in winter is nice.Mary
Hi Gerry, i am a totally new to gardening, hope to change this in the near future. I need help with the surrounding concrete slab walls of my back garden (25ft x 55ft, east facing) i want to plant a type of Ivy/creeper that will give a very good coverage and is evergreen. I have 2 children under 3 yrs and a large dog, so the plant also needs to be non poisonious.I would love if you could help me !!! Michelle
Hi Gerry, when laying stepping stones (unconnected) from my patio to my shed through my lawn, do I need to use sand & cement as a subbase, sand or can i just lay directly on topsoil?
Hi Gerry, we have a farily big garden and are trying to get started with planting etc. There are 2 large old beech trees at the front with beds beneath them - in the shade, have you suggestions for what hardy plants/shrubs might grow successfully there with a splash of colour? At the back there is a large open area, of dark boggy soil that we hoped to plant also - any suggestions for that soil? Lastly we wanted to begin a fruit/veg plot in the same soil, what might grow best? Thanks !!!
Hi Gerry, I have a steep bank all around the back of our house. I have planted a beech hedge on top of the bank and am now looking for suitable plants or creepers to sow on top that might grow down to screen off the bank and prevent weeds/grasses from taking hold or alternatively something to sow at the bottom that may climb up. The bank is 8 to 10 feed high so apart from about a foot of topsoil on the top most of the rest of the depth is gravelly. Can you recommend something suitable and possibly fast growing. Thanks.
how does one correct a slope towards the house on a large garden>
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?
After building an extension onto our house our front garden needs a complete redo. What would you suggest as low maintenance plants that look good all year around. We plan to put in a decent sized flower bed and a roll out lawn. We would need something that would screen a wall about 4.5 feet high at the back of the flowerbed and then various heights and colours. Also our backgarden is completely paved and would appreciate any suggestions as to what would look good all year round.Many thanks for your help.Marion Cusack
We have recently removed old brick planters and now have a blank canvas at the front of our house. We have an old cement sidewalk that goes around the side of the house that we need to cover up or redue. I am wonderng about a low wooden walkway and deck. Is it okay to have a deck at the front of the house as long as there are plants blocking the view from the street?Or would another type of walkway and patio be better. Thank you
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
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