Ask Gerry

This revolting slimy algae is forming on gravel/stone surfaces ~ pathways, carparks, cobbles. We think it's Nostoc. First (modest) appearance was in 2010; now it's widespread, sometimes in carpets up to 1.5cm thick (and counting).. Thrives on rain, even in this cold weather. Very unsightly, dangerously slippery underfoot. Can you suggest a chemical for control / elimination? (Drainage not an option) . (These Photos is from web; not my own.

I am starting to build my patio and want to dot some plants within it as it is quite large. I would love to plant a Clematis over a large rock in a squared off area covered with chippings. I have several clematis is mind as I would like a strong grower and perhaps one that blooms twice a year. My collection at the moment that I can use are,Sunset, Henryi, Piliu, Nelly Moser or the President. There might be some better ones but you would you recommend either of the above.

We have a footpath outside our sliding doors. We want to lay a patio. Is it possible to pave over the footpath and continuing paving onto the "grass" area to make the patio larger? Is it likely the slabs on the "grass" area would move over time causing cracking between the slabs set on the "grass" and the footpath?

To the side of our front garden, we have a steep Bank sloping, (25 mtrs. in length & about 2 mtrs drop) into our garden from the adjoining property. We have had to put drainage to prevent heavy rainfall turning the area into near like waterfall conditions.many thanksCan you advise? 91We have planted 4 pampas grasses and 6 phormiums. The soil is sandy. We intend to mulch this area with pebbles but would like to plant some suitable shrubs to add interest and colour to compliment what we have. Any suggestions.

Can you please help. I have dark algae on gravel and can get rid of it. Swells up in wet conditions. qite slippery. tried weedkiller, mosskiller, lawn sand, and mogathon- No good. Have tried picking it up but very slow process. any suggestions?

I have an issue with the location of my garden shed. It's in a north facing garden and we put it at the back of the garden but facing the patio doors (on the back left of the garden, west) The reason for this is the sun lasts longer in the evenings on the right, east. Now we're thinking of putting down a patio and I don't know whether to put it near the house by the patio doors or at the back of the garden. What would you recommend I do with the shed, do you think it's unsightly to have it facing the patio doors, especially if we put the patio in front of it. What options do I have as I haven't a clue what to do. The shed is 10' x 6'. The garden is approx 32' x 25' Thanks very much.

Our pond was covered in a net from early November until just over 2 weeks ago. For much, perhaps most, of of that time the pond was frozen. Yesterday my son drew my attention to the fact that on the bottom of the pond are many dead frogs. They are bloated but otherwise not decomposed. I'm seeking help as to what might caused the problem and how I might deal with it.

My enclosed patio measures 12ft wide by 23 long. My sitting room faces onto it. It has a wooden railing along the front. A sun room faces onto one side and a low red bri ck wall makes up the 4th side. It is paved with ordinary grey slabs, not in great condition. Unfortunately it has a washing line, tho it is removable and a built in barbeque, wooden rectangular table and chairs. I feel I could do a lot more with the space and like the idea of Japanese planting. It is south facing.Because it's narrow, I'm not sure how to manage the space. What plants are suitable, eg would bamboo be okay in a container in a sunny position? Needless to say, am on a budget!

I recently bought a travertine statue for the garden. (How) Should I cover it in winter?

We have Leylandii trees at the end of our garden which are about 20 feet high. However they take up a lot of room and are costly to have cut back every year. Also it is impossible to grow anything near them. There is a wall behind them aprox 4' high.We are thinking of taking them down but the house which backs unto us is very near the wall so they would be looking directly into our garden and we would loose our privacy which we love.We are trying to find something which we can replace them with which will be as high or almost as high and not cost a fortune. The garden is about 40' wide.Can you suggest anything that would be suitable - either hedge, trees or else some type of fencing which we could grow climbers on?

After making a large pond, I have a lot of soil left (some poor, some topsoil) and would like to use it in our 3/4 acre garden. The back garden is a long rectangle with pond (near house), veg. plots, flower beds but plenty of available space. Any ideas on incorporating this into the landscape of the garden, which is very level and has a great view to the mountains?

I'm looking for about ten large stepping stones in random (circularish or oval) shapes approximately one metre in diametre to creat a pathway. I've tried all of the large quarries have been unsuccessfull to date. Can you please let me know if you know where I could try to find the stones? Many thanks,