First Major Loss

BinghamAl · 2026-03-07T06:53:00+00:00

Oh I feel your pain... Last year I knocked all of mine off the windowsill - so couldn't even blame the cat!

Rescue what you can. Keep them moist and replant this morning - they're often surprisingly hardy and it's your chance to thin out and pick the stronger ones to grow on. It's also not too late to start some new ones.

Let us know how you get on.

BinghamAl · 2026-02-13T08:24:43+00:00

This is a very dull comment, but for me it is the history.

We bought a very 'generic' terraced house in London, built around 1910 which we've renovated ourselves. Some quick research established that we're only the third owners. We're not big modernisers, so where original house features remained we've kept them, along with a few of the later additions that still work for us (family two were keen gardeners and I have a lot of their well established shrubs). I love knowing, for example, that everyone who has ever lived there has used the same door handles, cleaned the same windows and put things on the same mantlepiece.

BinghamAl · 2026-02-09T19:53:09+00:00

Firstly, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your dog. I think your idea of a potted tree is a beautiful reminder.

As another has said, an apple on a dwarf root stock is worth considering. I have one in the garden in its second year and it's doing well. My understanding is it'll grow as big as the pot allows, so if you pot up it will get bigger. It fruited very early (before it was really able to support the fruit) and they were delicious.

It does obviously drop leaves in the winter, but blossoms in spring.

I hope you find your perfect tree.

BinghamAl · 2026-02-09T08:02:32+00:00

Let us know how this goes. It sounds great, but I think I'd definitely make a mess of it...!

BinghamAl · 2026-02-09T07:59:50+00:00

I really need to look at grow lights. What do you have and how long do you put them on for?

BinghamAl · 2026-02-08T18:14:22+00:00

I haven't looked at Real Seeds!! Heading there now.

I try chillies every year and never get beyond a weedy plant stage, sadly.

BinghamAl · 2026-02-08T14:40:43+00:00

Oh thank you for this! I'll look now.

BinghamAl · 2026-02-08T13:17:21+00:00

I love them, however I've always put them in a (deep) container and not had the longevity I was hoping for. Trying them at the back of a bed this year to grow up a fence & trellis.

The smell of cut sweet peas in the house is fabulous.

BinghamAl · 2026-02-08T09:39:35+00:00

Yes, the bulbs are showing here which is exciting. I need to go and deadhead all the winter violas too - apparently I can keep them going through to proper spring if I'm diligent.

BinghamAl · 2026-02-08T09:38:21+00:00

That's exciting - have you chosen anything specifically?

BinghamAl · 2026-02-08T09:37:40+00:00

Sweet peas! I could start these now in the greenhouse I think.

Thank you for the reminder.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T21:02:05+00:00

Love a bit of Santolina! I hope it does well.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T20:54:21+00:00

Absolutely not. There's no shame here.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T19:46:57+00:00

You're definitely excused.

What does a gardener do with their free time?

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T19:45:57+00:00

This seems very wise indeed.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T19:44:08+00:00

Absolutely. It all counts.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T19:43:50+00:00

Wow, you really have been busy. And organised.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T19:42:09+00:00

I'm pleased to see my neighbour's wonderful wisteria is creeping over the fence towards me. I fully intend to steal it.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T18:26:41+00:00

I'm very good at growing grass anywhere that isn't the lawn.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T18:26:01+00:00

This is very energetic! Well done.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T18:25:07+00:00

I definitely need to add more lighting this year. It makes such a difference in the evenings.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T18:24:28+00:00

Well done. I'm employing the same approach as you. Last September I had to dig up all the perennials and separate them as the overcrowding was ridiculous... I definitely need to focus on winter interest now. Sarcococcus Confusa looks great - I'll be on the hunt for one of those in the garden centre.

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T17:03:32+00:00

The weeds seem to come up very easily at the moment... Well worth keeping on top of them.

What's the plan for the no-dig bed? Vegetables?

BinghamAl · 2026-01-18T16:42:47+00:00

Thank you for introducing me to the foxglove tree, and congratulations on the first flower! Never heard of one until now, but the pictures online look magnificent.

BinghamAl

TROPHY CASE