General Gardening

Soil depletion is a serious thing, our soil is quite poor now and we are using chemicals to bring it up to standard. Is hydroponics the answer? I have been growing plants in a small way, hydroponically. Plants seem to thrive so why are we not doing this on a larger scale? Do you grow plants hydroponically?

Many people are wanting to plant fruit and vegetables for the first time and would really benefit from any first hand knowledge from the experienced gardeners among our community. It would be great to have any tips on preparing soil, ideas on what grows well in pots or containers, what will grow just as well with or without a greenhouse, when to plant out, when to harvest...I could go on and I'm sure there are plenty of questions many of you would like to ask! Feel free to post any questions or advice whether you are a novice or an old hand and hopefully we'll all get to learn something new!

Just been out in my garden. The dandelions are starting to flower . Please don't be too eager with the weed killer at this time they are the main source of food for our bees! Stay safe

As March is the time that hedgehogs come out of hibernation I wondered if anyone has seen one yet? We used to regularly see them in our garden but haven't seen one for quite a few years now. We live in a rural area, our garden is 'untidy' and not fenced all the way round so I don't really understand why we don't have see them any longer. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Any bare patch of earth in my garden is quickly found by cats and used as their local toilet. I have tried using commercial deterrents but these have no effect. The best thing I have found is using boughs of a prickly bush I have growing in the garden but they quite often blow away and they look unsightly once the leaves have dropped off. I have had cat scarers which are supposed to work by having a high pitched tone which is unheard by us but not by cats, mice etc. I am continually buying batteries for these but they also don't have any effect. Having a dog isn't an option but I am sure this would be the answer. Any ideas?

We have a nice vegetable patch-its only small but suffer from the habitual problem of slugs. We have tried everything but they still eat the leaves of our vegetables. I don't like putting slug pellets around the vegetables as I think it may get into our food chain. Any novel ideas would be welcome!

Is it possible to grow schizostylis in pots? And if so what size of pot would be best? Mine are to close to a low grown wygeila and don't flower because of the shade. Not sure where to put them yet so would like to keep them in pots for a while, maybe 'til next year.

Have we a forum for allotmenteers? Are there folk out there who would like one?

Best ideas to non-slip decking?

Fascinated by this plant that talks to other plants, and am wondering if anyone has succeeded in growing it in the UK. If so, any tips on where best to buy or raise from seed.