Economy gardening tips for this year please

[bramble]

I personally wouldn't put polythene bags over them. Moisture builds up inside them, drips on the leaves and damages them.
Cover with fleece and plenty of newspaper.
I Find newspaper great for holding in the heat and absorbs any dampness.

[Rapscallion]

Chapter 1 - Slugs

Well the cold doesn't seem to have done them harm, slugs however have really gone to town the past two nights.

Need some drastic response, any ideas what i can do tonight?
I have four eggshells form this mornings breakfast that i will put round one of those that aren't that affected to protect that one. any ideas for the others? will putting a sleeve around the plant (like a 2 litre plastic bottle with top and bottom removed help?



Chapter 2 - Strawberries

Cleared out the dead foliage and there doesn't seem to be that much live plants there anymore!
Are these spreads too thin?
Also, theres is a green algae like stuff on the surface, but this is in a nicely sheltered and bright spot - the greenhouse door in the bottom picture is facing SW, any ideas what this is and what i should do about it?





Chapter 3 - My Shoddy attempt at a herb bed....
Weeded a bed at the back of the garden and planted some herbs last autumn. Thyme, mint , tarragon, chives and oregano have all died and the sage is looking quite poor. There are a load of plants that are growing through and looking like they are , or will be, smothering the herbs. What are these plant that are growing through (there are the remains of what i attempted to remove last autumn).
For the herbs that remain (thyme, bay, rosemary, a sickly sage, and some lavender, shall i full them and put them into pots for the time being?
How best to clear the bed so i can plant herbs in here?
Main culpit is the main subject of the photo below, but the plant in the top right is also a problem

[Rapscallion]

PS picture of the 'herb bed'

[Martin H]

I can't help with the snugs except to suggest you go out with a torch to catch the guilty in the act.

The weed in Chapter 3 is Lesser Celendine. It's hard to get rid of because little bulbils break off from the roots when you dig it up, to regrow next year. The good news is, it's got pretty flowers and it will die away completely in a month or so.

[Chestnut]

For slugs, make sure you check around/under the pots to be sure the slugs aren’t still there sleeping off last night’s feast. I have been known to put an empty pot upside down in the middle of a gravel tray, with the pot containing the plant I want to protect perched on top. Then fill the gravel tray with water to create a wide moat - slugs round here can’t swim

[Lumpy]

How about wrapping copper wire round the pots? You can strip it out of normal electrical wire.

[Rapscallion]

I can't help with the snugs except to suggest you go out with a torch to catch the guilty in the act.

The weed in Chapter 3 is Lesser Celendine. It's hard to get rid of because little bulbils break off from the roots when you dig it up, to regrow next year. The good news is, it's got pretty flowers and it will die away completely in a month or so.

Thanks Martin, at least i know what it is now. no consolation in knowing it will die back soon as it seems to have really smothered the herbs.

But will shortly be heading out with a torch and scissors!

[Rapscallion]

For slugs, make sure you check around/under the pots to be sure the slugs aren’t still there sleeping off last night’s feast. I have been known to put an empty pot upside down in the middle of a gravel tray, with the pot containing the plant I want to protect perched on top. Then fill the gravel tray with water to create a wide moat - slugs round here can’t swim

Ive been out this afternoon moving any pots and other objects nearby and didn't find any slugs. Unfortunately i have planted the cucumbers in large pots (i'm not exactly a conscientious waterer so use larger pots to try and remedy my lax watering!) and my two young children will have them over on their side if they are balanced on anything. at 1 and 3 they are too young for reason!

[Rapscallion]

How about wrapping copper wire round the pots? You can strip it out of normal electrical wire.

Will be hunting for some spare wire, in the meantime there seems to be a good length attached to my wifes hairdryer - do you think she'll mind?

[nickdub]

As long as she's not using it, you'll be fine - wives are notoriously understanding when it comes down to one's hobbies.

(lights blue touch-paper, and stands well back)

[Baldy]

... lol

I'm not going to bite...

[Rapscallion]

Hi all,

i have grown quite a few basil plants on the patio this summer. The genovese basil has done really well but has gone to flower now and the leaves are looking a bit old and stems a bit woody. Do i pull these and start again from seed next year, or can these be kept over winter in a fabric greenhouse


link to image
https://cldup.com/jhZfaJO9L--3000x3000.jpeg

[nickdub]

You could preserve any leaves which are OK for use, by freezing them in an ice-cube tray - anyway bests to start new plants form seed when you want some more.

[muck lover]

Time to make pesto.