boiling water – gardenerscardiff.co.uk

Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:05:03 +0000

Lisa asks…

Any gardening tips during Autumn to get ready for winter?

Hi,
I’m a relative newcomer to Gardening but this year i’ve had a real push in the garden with limited success in the veg patch. I have a few green beans hanging on for dear life along with leeks which appear to be quite happy but apart from that all of the late summer madness has calmed down and it’s leaving me thinking what should I be doing next to prepare my garden for winter and next spring?
Thanks.

GardenersCardiff answers:

About time you picked the rest of those beans by the sound of it! Trim the edges off the beans and blanch them for a minute in boiling water. Dry them off and drop them in your freezer – they’ll stay lovely and fresh until the new year.

This time of year is good for planting believe it or not, especially trees and shrubs – tree and shrub roots like cool ground, make sure it’s not freezing though. Also, ensure you dig the correct depth hole as per instructions, don’t cheat and think you can get away with a shallower hole.

Cut and Prune. Cut back most of the plants killed by frosts or freezes. Leave an inch stub above ground to indicate where the plants but be careful in pruning trees late in the year.

Now is the time to fertilize the lawn. Look for fertilizers high in nitrogen. You may also consider a fertilizer that is lower in nitrogen, but higher in phosphorus and potassium. By fertilizing in late autumn, you will encourage lush growth in the spring.

I represent an online Garden Tool website where I have recently put up a blog post with more autumn/winter tips. Feel free to take a look: http://www.bloomingtools.com/blog/article/28/10-things-to-do-in-the-garden-before-winter

I hope you find that useful.

Richard asks…

What would a good blog be for interior design!?!

i am wondering if there are any good blogs out there about interior design! thanks!
hello why isn’t anyone answering! i sent this like 10 minutes ago and everyone leaves comments on others like 10 seconds after!

GardenersCardiff answers:

Http://decor8blog.com/

http://www.blogcatalog.com/directory/home_and_garden/interior-design

William asks…

Does anyone know how to use photos from my iPad photo album in Blogger?

I’m currently trying to build a gardening blog in Blogger on my iPad3, but am having trouble in own downloading photos from my iPad ‘photo’ section. Every time I try to add any photos the only source I’m being able to draw them from is Picaso, which I don’t really use, and I can’t find any way of finding my photos without my usual album.

Could anyone possibly help me with this one, please?

GardenersCardiff answers:

You should just be able to click and hold on the photo until you see ‘Copy’. Click on copy and then paste the photo into your blog.

Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 13:05:03 +0000

Lisa asks…

Where can I buy Vermiculite for gardening other than online?

Does anyone know where I can buy Vermiculite for gardening other than online?

GardenersCardiff answers:

Try your local garden center or greenhouse.

Charles asks…

What is the best way to get rid of a garden full of weeds, before I plant flowers?

I plan on beginning my gardening this weekend. My garden currently consist of a large patch of soil loaded with weeds. What is the best way to get rid of these weeds and make sure they don’t come back this summer? There is nothing planted in the garden right now, so anything goes in getting rid of the weeds.

GardenersCardiff answers:

If you have a few days or a week to wait, lay a sheet of black plastic (available in rolls at home centers or just use trash bags) over the garden when temperatures are warm.
Any weed seeds under the plastic will “cook” and become unviable when temperatures are in the 70+ degrees F range.
Otherwise, boiling water works great or you can spray Roundup if temperatures are warm enough for it to work (when weeds are actively growing).
Good Luck.

Sharon asks…

When is the best time to start an herb garden in Florida?

I hear gardening is very theraputic,And I love to cook with fresh herbs.What should I do to get started?

GardenersCardiff answers:

I am in southwest Florida, and I usually wait until after the middle of february to plant new things. That gets me past the risk of a hard freeze. You have a chance of frost for a month after that, but you can cover new plants to protect them from frost. Depending on how far you are north or south of my location you can plan accordingly. That gives you time to prepare your garden for planting. Herbs do not take alot of space, so you can use part of an existing flower bed. I find that herbs do best in partial shade here in Florida. The summer sun and heat can be too much for them.
So just get started. Clear out the grass and weeds from a section of garden, till or mix in some organic matter, and get some mulch. Then you can shop for herb plants, which are readily available. Try as many types as you want. Some will do better than others.

Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:05:02 +0000

Maria asks…

Easy Rhubarb jam recipe?

I have loads of Rhubarb in my garden.I want to make jam,but as i have not made jam before i need a recipe that is easy,quick and tasty!.Thanks!

GardenersCardiff answers:

Makes about three small parfait jars

450g/141/2oz rhubarb
450g/141/2oz caster sugar
The rind of one lemon

Wash the rhubarb and remove any stringy bits. Pat dry and weigh the remainder, as it is important to have equal quantities of sugar to fruit when making jams.

Slice the fruit into one-inch pieces and place in a preserving pot or heavy-based saucepan and cover with the sugar. Place over a gentle heat, stir continuously to prevent burning and, when the sugar has melted completely, stir in the lemon rind and turn up the heat.

Boil the jam for 10 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat. Sterilise your jars by putting them in boiling water for 10 minutes, then spoon the warm rhubarb into each jar. Seal with lids.

Allow the jars to cool in a draft-free space and remember that once the seal has been broken the jam must be stored in the fridge.

William asks…

PLEASE HELP! Bahamas! Easy Questions ?

Are the Versailles Gardens a man made or natural tourist site
http://www.destination360.com/caribbean/bahamas/versailles-gardens.php

On one hand it was assembled by man but on the other its a garden.. :S please help

thank you

GardenersCardiff answers:

Man made. Someone had to plant it to look like that.

Robert asks…

an simple easy way to make an igloo?

i have a load of snow in my back garden because no ones been in it all day so i’ve decided to make an igloo out of it (as i’ve already made a couple snowmen) and i went on the internet for tips but they seem too advance (i need a snow saw?!) so i thought i’d ask you guys for some help
oops – A* simple easy way

GardenersCardiff answers:

Find a giant mound of snow and start digging a hole into it. I think tunneling through snow works better than the brick method because it is sturdier and takes less time.