Meet Chris Collins

I have had my garden hard lanscaped, it is on a slop that leads down to a river. I have a decked, grass and patio area but would love some tips on creating a more cottage garden with a funky twist. any chance i can get the hunky Chris Collins round my pad to help with inspiration!!!

Hi Dixie,

If you look for the usual cottage garden plants add some of the new grasses into the mix - especially a stipa Gigantium where you can look through the flowers at the setting sun - add in some modern sculpture and you should get the look you aspire to.

Angela

How did you use plaster on breeze blocks to create a curved mediteranian garden seating area?

I used to hang around with Chris 'The Plantsman' Collins He hasn't changed one bit Still lovely. If you happen to read this Chris....It's Maxyn from Woodingdean. Good to see life is treating you well

who says disabled people can`t garden, i have a fairly small garden but i try to keep it pretty!!! any simple advice on growing veg that doesn`t tax the chest and energy levels. send chris round to help please!!!!!!!!!

Ive got a small garden,and just taken on an allotment.Im a 36 year old lady whos trying to follow the rhs books,but im being inandated with eldrerly gentlemen giving me advice.Which is kind,but after reading books and watching Alan Titchmarsh and Gardeneners world everything is conflicting.So if anyones got any advice on growing veg and soft fruits at this time of year it would be appreciated.Im very gratefull for advice,but I have had so much differing advice,That I not sure whats right and I dont just want to be amusing to the pros that come round.

Hi Speedy,

I've just re-started gardening last year after years of absolute hate as a result of many years of having to help my mum plant, hoe and preserve around an acre of veggies and lots of fruit. Even though vaguely in the back of my mind I know how to grow most things, I find that there are a lot of failures and so to make my veg garden look full, even and healthy I start most things in peat pots or loo rolls on my window sills. I have a lot more control that way over my plants. I also avoid having huge gaps in my rows from non germinated seeds or, as in the case of my early peas last year, loss from pests (leatherjackets and cutworms). Anything that I can't sow inside (root veg) I just sprinkle thinly and cross my fingers. I have also found that methods that work for the many will not work for me. Some seed packets, books and people will advise you to either use a propagator or put the pots of seeds in a clear plastic bag to germinate. In my case everything sprouts better if I just put the pots on a tray and pour water in the tray when I think they need to be watered. It takes more effort but in doing so I also manage to avoid the white fuzz that use to grow on the outside of the pots. Gardening to me is trial and error. Everyone makes mistakes and you just learn from it and do better next time. I made one today when I was replacing the sticky band around my fruit trees and made a small gouge in through the bark with my scissors when I was cutting the string. Oops, I'll just have to chew it off in this fall!!

Hi speedy
I am trying to grow celery self blanching and non blanching anying tips would be a great help

Hi
when and how can i grow Lyche fruit !
Please advise if you can.
cam. c

hi chris, my three grandchildren want to grow a pumpkin each to make a lantern at halloween, i understand about the pollination but i'm worried about the space required. their plots in the garden are about 4' x 2' but depth is limited, will we be able to do it, many thaks astra55

hi
this year i wont to grow something quick and tasty any ideas?

A big hello!
What a great idea to start this site - I have lots of questions as its my first year growing but many I can see already asked so I shall just read on and learn!
Would be great to see a section on eviromentally friendly and cost free ideas! Full time carer with disabled daughter and loving getting back to our roots!

Hi Chris,
I would like to grow my own veg, but dont know where to start, i thought maybe some potatoes and carrots to start with.i've heard that growing potatoes in old tyers,where you can continue to add layers,is a good way to start,is this true?any helpful tips or advice would be very welcome.

sarah

Hi Chris,

I would like to grow my own veg, but i dont know where to start, i thought maybe some potatoes and carrots to start with.i've heard that growing potatoes and carrots in old tyers,where you can continue to add layers,is a good way to start,is this true?any helpful tips or advice would be very welcome.
I have very little space. some advice as to which varriaty to buy would also be very welcome.
sarah

hi sarah
i grow my carrots and potatoes in a larg barrel, works well.

I have seen the carrots in barrels on 'the big dig' I have the barrel and have put some stones in the end for drainage any recommendations for the compost type to put in. Thanks

Hi Kettles Kitchine,

Thanks, I am on the right track then, but still unsure on what seed potatoes i should get, any Hlep would be greatful.

Hi

I am keen to grow horseradish and found a root at my allotment which I have planted in a container as I believe it can spread. Have I done the right thing and how do you harvest it?

i have a large south east facing garden 7m x 20m which i want to turn into an alloment and grow all my own fruit and veg, but i have no idea where to start please help. how do i know what sort of soil it is???/?????
thanks

I am 12 years old and i have decided to grow my own frut and veg in a small plot of land in my garden i was just wondering if you could give me any tips on how to get started.

Hi everyone,

I have litterally just started to grow my own peppers this year and so far they seem to be growing nicely from seed. Them being around an inch and a half tall now. I'm not really sure how to look after them. I'm open to any advice for this. Also I am thinking of growing other fruits and vegetables but again I'm very inexperienced and would love some help.

hi chris im writing on behalf of jessica stewart who you met in derby at norminton allotments on the 15th jessica has tried vey many times to contact you but the e mail adress you gave isnt very clear jess is getting a bit upset please can you help

have just decided to grow marrows in pots as i have no garden would appreciate any help or advice as to watering, planting out, genral care and when they will be ready. They are about 3-4 inches high and in a small plasric greenhouse at present

Hi All,

This is is what I do. I hope it helps

Pumpkin vines and leaves grow very large and you should check the package for space required.

Leaf lettuce and Chinese brassicas are quick to grow. ( cover the brassicas with fleece - white cabbage moth caterpillars destroyed my crop last year. )

Horseradish is a very quick spreader and is extremely hard to get rid of if it is not contained in a container. ( it took my parents 4 years to get rid of the ones I planted for them as a surprise. )

To test your soil pH you will need a soil testing kit from a DIY or garden centre. ( instructions on the package )

When planting tomatoes or potatoes watch out for tomato/potato blight later in the season.

To find a variety of veg that I like, I plant two varieties that I want to try and label them in the garden. I rate them on ease to grow, output and taste. The one that does the best I plant the next year and another variety that I haven't grown but wanted to try.

Crossing my fingers

i want to if you can help me i want to grow kidney beans and i want to now how to saw them so could you please help me