Greenfingered MoneySaving

A question about : Grow your own dinner 2014

Given that MBE has resigned from his position of leadership, I have started a new thread for 2014.

So, let's start.

What do you hope to grow this year? What worked well last year and what didn't? What will you try again?

And, as always, can someone please tell me what to do in January - or come and do it for me?

xLV

A question about : Skimmia

Are there any Skimmia experts on here? I thought this shrub was supposed to grow to about 3 feet high. I have just had to cut the top off mine, which must have been at least 8 feet high. Now I'm wondering if it will fill out or have I ruined it? Having it so high was not an option! I cannot remember what variety it is. It was a potted purchase from a garden centre about 15 years ago.

A question about : Donating conifers

Hi, I posted this on the in my house board but thought you lot might know best.

We are going to get rid of the conifers which were in our garden when we moved in, basically because there is no room for them, I think the previous owners thought they were minitures or something.

We have 6 of them now and getting quite big, I have cut them back loads and the tallest is now about 6ft smallest about 4ft.

A question about : Squirrel problem

How do keep our resident squirrels out of my freshly planted veg tubs?
I have guinea pigs in the garden, so a sonic device is out. He has eaten a hole in our wire bird feeder, so would need something stronger than that. Humane ideas only please.

Went out this afternoon and nutkin had been digging! I suspect i may get peanuts, rather than courgettes come the summer. Maybe that's his evil little plan?!

A question about : Basil Infestation

Help - my crop of basil has these little white things over it - they look like tiny white specks of dust and seem to burrow into the leaf, as in places the leaves have gone translucent. The smell of the plant has changed very slightly, it seems almost aniseedy now.
We used to get these from shop bought pots of basil but these plants are grown from seed.
Any help appreciated.
Sharra
xx

A question about : Pump to bail out pond water

We have two patio ponds (above ground). No filters etc. When it rains excessively, we need to watch to water doesn't reach the rim, simply to ensure fish don't go over. If the level gets a bit high, we manually bucket some out. I think I'd like some sort of manual pump that would allow me to bail water out. Does anyone know of such things please?

A question about : Should I remove my eucalyptus tree?

I had a eucalyptus tree in a patio pot for a few years, didn't do much, grew to about 3' and was very spindly.

When we made over the garden I planted it in the corner, away from the house, next to the fence.

It has grown really quickly since planting at the beginning of the year and is now about 8' to 9' tall.

I am going to keep it cut to about 11' or so.

However, I have just been reading that they have strong root systems.

A question about : What is the best plan for a plot of mud..?

So, at the end of the garden there is a section about 40x80ft.

It was grass last year, but it is now 10 inch deep mud. What would be the best wat to get rid/reduce the mud and get it back to grass?

The mud was caused by the chickens and the pig, which have since been moved elsewhere..