Ultimate Gardening Tips & Tricks

Invasive plants can crowd out slower-growing native plants, or change the natural habitat of native species by drying out the soil, casting shade, or blocking the flow of streams so that the habitat is no longer suitable for native plants. Some invasive plants arrive in the UK by accident, some are planted as crops or to augment the landscape, and some are grown in our gardens and either spread by roots or seed or are dug up and dumped in the countryside. The experts at the Royal Horticultural Society tell us: ‘Our gardens have been greatly enriched by the introduction of plants from abroad but a small number have proved highly invasive in the UK, threatening natural habitats and native species. By not allowing plants to escape from gardens and…

CAN I USE WEEDKILLER TO GET RID OF INVASIVE PLANTS? + Yes, but it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. Firstly, be sure to choose the correct herbicide for the invasive plants that you have in mind. Secondly, treat invasives when they are growing strongly, usually in spring or summer. + Avoid accidentally spraying native plants while attempting to spray invasives and be especially careful when using weedkillers near ponds, streams or other watercourses. + Some invasives are more likely to be treated successfully if cut back hard and weedkiller used to treat the resulting new growth. WHAT IF I FIND JAPANESE KNOTWEED IN MY GARDEN? + The best approach is to contact your local authority; most local authority websites have information on how to deal with Japanese knotweed in…

There are all manner of weeds lurking in our gardens and sowing seed wherever they get the chance. The general consensus is that they’re a pain – especially when they’re encroaching on our prized flowers or vegetables and sapping the nutrients from the soil. In the case of some (Japanese knotweed, poison ivy and stinging nettles – we’re looking at you) they can also do more harm than simply spoiling the look of a border. Everyone knows about the nasty allergic reactions that occur from a run-in with nettles or poison ivy, while knotweed can tear through structural foundations at breakneck speed. Naturally, none are ideal. Luckily, there are a good few methods to zap these plants from our plots and restore order. And, most approaches don’t require reaching for the…

BINDWEED This troublemaker produces thread-like vines that wrap tightly around other plants, and eventually strangles them. With its trumpet-shaped flowers, bindweed is easy to spot and, soon after the first flush of blooms, it will take over and ruin your flower beds. Start by pulling away the top growth, excavating as much of the roots as you can. Eventually, the roots will exhaust themselves trying to make more shoots. If you’re digging downwards to try and remove the roots, go deeper than you might expect. Getting rid of bindweed takes patience, willpower and several attempts to pull it up, as any root left behind in the soil will sprout again. NETTLES As a valuable food source for the caterpillars of a number of butterflies, including red admiral and tortoiseshell, you…

1 When the weather starts warming up in late spring you’ll notice your grass growing a lot faster, which means it’s time to do the first checks of the season. Look for moss, which is probably the biggest nuisance. It’s easier to get rid of than you think. Use a specialist moss-killer treatment, then simply rake it out when it’s gone brown. 2 Look for ‘bald’ patches, which can be down to congested roots, a build-up of dead grass or simple wear and tear. It’s easy to sort out. Loosen the soil with a fork and fill the area with a handful of potting compost. Then thickly sprinkle over a grass-seed mix. Be sure to choose the right one as there’s a huge range available, including for shady lawns, as…

SEED production is a plant’s way of ensuring the survival of the species and, because it usually involves both a male and female element to create fertile seed, it is known as sexual reproduction (as opposed to asexual, like cuttings). Variation explained The mixing of genetic material results in variation, so the outcome cannot be predicted. The exception is the first generation cross of two parents that gives a uniform outcome (known as F1 seed). If you collect seeds from F1 hybrid plants you will find that, as the F2 generation, they are not identical to the original plants and there can be quite a variation in both form and vigour. ‘Self cleaning’ plants Not every plant produces seeds. Some plants are produced from cuttings because they rarely form seed.…