Does anyone know anything about gardening?

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Americans are weirdly obsessed with lawns and lawncare.

I was going to say something similar. There's some sort of crazy stat about US water consumption on lawns Vs the French. Like 85% of their supply goes on grass whereas the French use <10%.

Personally I like my lawn. It's nice having a green space to run around and play or just sit on. It looks nicer when it's cut and there are fucking shit loads of birds and butterflies in my garden. That said I do keep a uncut section at the back.

If I had more time it would get more time.

Also my roses are finally out.

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Looks like a cypress of some kind. I'd be inclined to get rid as it will end up being far too big.

There is a cypress a few gardens down and it’s a monster. Doesn’t affect me directly and it blocks in part the hideous tower block at the end of our road.

I have contemplated a lawn with two borders for that cottage garden look, then from left to right compost heap, flagpole, man cave at the rear.
When the first floor extension is built pergola in lieu of shabby leanto which is illegal (without planning permission and built over a utility (thames water I think). I am also keen not to extend the footprint of the house and create a garden with less paving / hard standing. All of which is typical around these endz.

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I thought I'd show you my broom. This is its best year ever, well since we moved in 16 years ago. I was going to dig it out last year but gave it a serious prune instead. It's fighting back.

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Nice stripes.

Looks great. What's the white one next to it?

I just planted two, in fairly close proximity to each other. If they grow that big it'll be interesting!

Mrs C_S says it's a Choisya of some description.

Ah yes. Just not the usual leaf form.

Thanks.

It smells nice, orangy.

Yep, Choisya ternata has that very citrus smell, particularly if you crush a leaf.

Didn't know whether to put this in the RIP thread or here.
Nigel (the dog) from Gardeners' World has died.

Sorry about the doggo.

Does someone have experience growing tomatillos (Mexican green tomatoes)? I’m trying to figure out the smallest size pots they would need to be productive indoors. Most info I can find says to use 20L pots, but I’m hoping to get as many plants as possible, so 10 20L pots in my living room isn’t really an option. Happy to offer large seedlings as payment for advice, salsa if they actually produce.

My wife lived in the states for 3 years and we went back a few years ago and stayed with a friend of hers. This friend went away while we were there and all instructions were basically super chilled, use the place however you want, make yourself at home, but PUT. THE. SPRINKLER. ON. - Morning and evening.

It's like having a dead/wild lawn somehow signifies a grave debauchery and moral decline in the inhabitants of the house. That said, I'd love a better lawn than I have. Not getting a sprinkler, though.

Has anyone ever had success growing bluebells from seed? We have some great looking seed pods this year - though I read it can apparently take 5 years before you get a flowering plant.

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Native UK Bluebells respond well to a cold trigger,
and,
work symbiotically with certain phosphorus metabolising bacteria
https://phys.org/news/2017-04-bloomageddonseven-clever-ways-bluebells-woodland.html

They'll prosper if you can germinate your seeds in some of the soil from near the existing clump.

Adding to the recent tree chat, we've got this massive cedar(?) at the back of our smallish garden. Photo taken from loft window to give an idea of size.

Can anyone advise how much it is possible to trim/tame something of this size? I'd hate to get it cut down, but it overhangs both gardens either side of ours and must drive the neighbours mad with the constant needle dropping. It makes half our garden more or less unusable due to the shade, bird shit, and dropped needles and cones.

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They look more like Spanish than native bluebells? If so, they need no encouragement to take over.

Yeah they're certainly not normal ones. Fair enough, won't assist them.

Contact #edmundo, he is The Man!

Choisya ternata was one of the first shrubs I planted from a pot bought at Homebase in my old garden flat, it grew to an impressive size, the flower scent was orange blossom from memory. I am looking forward to planting shrubs, ornamental grasses and perennials at my new place. I’ve utilised a load of redundant skirting board to make a compost pen.

I can’t provide any advice for the over grown cedar tree. All I know is that they can grow to staggering heights just like eucalyptus trees

Cedar - right, you could have a reduction on the lateral branches done to attempt to keep it away from the neighbours etc, looks like it’s getting a bit leggy in places. At the same time a serious grooming to clean all the deadwood/twigs/old nests out and maybe remove the lower few branches completely it’d let a bit more light through the crown. If you really like the tree and want to keep it it’s worth considering. You can’t really hope to make a tree like that much smaller, just keep its extremities in check and the middle clean.
What are all your neighbours thoughts on it? It’s a cool tree but imposing...
Don’t have it ‘topped’ as cedars, pines etc really don’t take well to it.

It’s a really really big tree for the space tho so many people would advise felling it sooner rather than later.

Also, is the apple tree yours or the neighbours?

Hey Ed, I was hoping you might chip in! Thanks for the insight, the apple tree is also ours and also needs some attention. The garden to our right is a wilderness so I don't think they care what goes on, the other side are out sweeping their decking every day so the cedar must be a nuisance.

Once we get back to some semblance of normality I'll some quotes for the work, we're just up the road from you in E4 do you know of any local companies who are good? Or do you work this side of town?

The coffee grinder is still going strong by the way.