Does anyone know anything about gardening?

You could soon be self sufficient in organic coccineal substitute.

They are horrible things. And attempting to 'scrub them off with a toothbrush' on an entire tree was a predictably annoying job.

Still, gone for now though I'm sure they'll need another go at some point soon. Tempted to smash them with the jetwasher when that happens...

I harvested my radishes: some were a decent size but they were all really tough and woody. Inedible.

Disappointing. Does anyone know what might have gone wrong?

Not watered enough earlier on is my guess.

Too much direct sun drying them out?

Thanks, but both of those suggestions don't reflect the conditions.

Some research suggests it might have been a lack of light, meaning the radish developed too slowly.
Gah.

I don't know the cure but have had that many times with radishes. I try to succession plant every two weeks to keep up a steady flow and improve the chance of getting good ones. So far this year's have been ok.

Edit: I presume that you are sowing them at midnight in circular rows to maximise growth...??

Yep circular rows with support canes at each corner.

Did you sing to them?

does anyone have any tomato plants they are going to chuck? I have planted four in my veg patch and only one has grown. the other three have just stayed the same size - weird. I had a bit of a shuffle around and planted them where the courgettes go - there was a little bit of white stuff in the (very acidic) soil. i normally get 6-7ft tall trunks each year without fail.

Would like to replace them

Got a few in EN1 going spare

Can anyone recommend a gardener/landscaper who could put up a fence in N7?

With roses, jasmine, lavender, nemesia and others coming into bloom I'm really enjoying the scent of the garden at the moment. Just another aspect to savour.

Try some Night Scented Stock - amazing scents in the evening.

Got lots of stocks from seed this year. Will flower next year hopefully.

What's this? How do I stop it eating the leaves on a small tree which I would like to encourage?
I don't know what sort of tree but it's more interesting than the other stuff that pops up here.

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That looks like a poplar tree. Think it will be fine.. until it's 100' tall and you need to get rid of it.

From its head shape hat looks like some kind of weevil. But from my (limited) knowledge, there are several types of the blighters that look similar - green immigrant leaf weevil? (waits for Daily Mail comments section...)

No idea about killing them off, sorry.

Try here for ID, if you're inclined: http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds6/insectsphyllobiusweevils.htm - no treatment info either though

Night Scented Stock is an annual

Night-scented stock (Matthiola longipetala) is an easy-to-grow annual. The tiny blooms pack a fragrant punch. Sow in July for late-summer blooms.
Pastel coloured blooms giving a delicious evening scent. Flowers mid June-September. Height 30cm (12")

Yeah, I figured that out with a bit of research. Think I'm too late to sow seeds this year.

What month are you on in South London? It’s only June up here and that clearly said sow in July.

you are right.

i was going off the seed packet info I found online last night.

i'll get some.

Thanks. It is likely to be a green nettle weevil as I just cut down loads of nettles arond the base of the tree. My theory was to let the random trees grow a bit and shade out the nettles but the weevils might eat everything before that happens.

Night Scented Stock

Is amazingly fragrant, used to grow it need to start doing again up here.

I've got these little green buggers all over my cucumber plant. Are they aphids? Should I just smooth them? And will a need oil spray help?

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