Ask Gerry

I was wondering if the seeds in pods that come on sweet peas when they finish flowering can be used to sow more sweet peas?

I would be very grateful if you could help me identify the pest that is damaging to my Calendula plant. See photo below. Nearly all the leaves have this damage.

how do i get rid of greenfly and earwigs on my sunflowers. the leaves are all holes

Where can I purchase the climbing plant "tropaelum" or can I order it from you?

I love common garden blue cornflowers. I would like to know if the flower heads are edible or should they be just used for decoration in a salad for instance.

I recently sowed sunflower seeds both dwarf and large sunflowers,they are coming on great. But can i put the into lagre pots and if so when do i do it?

My sister has just got a bee hive. The bees are coming in May/June I would like to plant a "bee bar"! ie flowers and other plants which entice bees in the garden. Appreciate if you could provide a list of suitable flowers/plants.

I have sweet pea in small pots that have been grown from seed. They're only 2 inches high and I have them indoors. I haven't grown from seed before and have no idea what do next. Nights here are still very frosty.

I have a group of 10 boys aged 10 - 13 years who are interested in gardening. I want to know what the best seeds/bulbs to pot at this time of the year. The pots will need to be kept indoors at all time. I would prefer something with a flower so they can see the results.

Please can you tell me if there is any reason why I cannot grow Sweet Pea in the same ground next year? Last year's display was the best yet.

When would be the best time to put out wild flower seeds of e.g. poppies or teasel, now or in spring?

I grew giant sunflowers this year with great success even if the flowering was slow and then short lived.However I'm of the opinion that these flowers are just a one off and you must start from scratch again next year. Is this so ?

When is the best time to save nasturtim seedsis it when they are green and ripeor when they go brown?

I sowed cosmos from seed this year and succeeded in growing three plants! They were a reasonable height but didn't flower. I had them in a planter not directly in the ground to try and keep the slugs away. Is that the reason? TaShirley

Can you tell me know what the tallest sunflower is in Ireland? i cant find an answer any where please.