Does anyone know anything about gardening?

I had mine pumped from the street to the back of my garden, the line was about 50m. They moaned about the length when they got here, I think above 50m and they start to charge extra.

Mine was 6m x 4m, 150mm thick. Your size I'd be tempted to DIY it if you have the time.

For the sake of £25 or so for a sheet of steel mesh, I'd be tempted to chuck one in, it really does strengthen the concrete and helps prevent cracking

I've mixed concrete before, but only as a labourer or kid when I had someone who knew what they were doing to say "more of this/that" or just "that looks about right". I think my main concern would just be getting the mix wrong and having to pay more to get it lifted and relaid. I may go with the clearing and shuttering myself so then I can give more definite specs to a builder or local landscaper. I'll ask my builder if he does that kind of thing when he's next here.

If hairy arsed builders can do it, so can you. The consistency you are looking for is stodgy porridge, just add water carefully as you can't take it out again. My publishing management background isn't a huge help when mixing concrete, but at least I can have coherent conversations with clients whilst doing so.

I've mixed concrete before, but only as a labourer or kid when I had someone who knew what they were doing to say "more of this/that" or just "that looks about right".

I mixed tons of concrete for my dad as a teenager when we built a garage and concreted the driveway to it. His mate came to help once and mixed the concrete that day, the stuff he mixed degraded far quicker than the stuff I mixed. As @Colin_the_Bald says, getting the consistency right is key.

I'll try and nip round to see if the conservatory/extension I laboured on for fiddy 12 or so years ago is still standing....

It pains me that there will be peeps on here who don't know who fiddy is / was

Although they probably won't be in the gardening thread, I suppose.

Waking up to -1°.

Seriously WTF!?

When will this bullshit end? I can tell my OH's patience for plants everywhere is beginning to wear.

Looks like Monday 3rd May based on current forecast

anyone know if it's possible to 'neutralise' hard london tapwater for camellias (eg by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the watering can)? we're going to run out of rainwater...

There is rain forecast tonight...

London? Looks like maybe showers Thurs early morning but generally pretty dry still. Rain would be good...

I don't normally water my garden till May but had to start a few weeks ago. Don't think there's much forecast for South London.

Domestic water softeners use salt to swap the calcium ions, (from the calcium sulphate that is the cause of our London water hardness), with sodium ions.

Vinegar might react with the calcium sulphate but would not provide the more soluble metal ion needed to keep the sulphate in solution.
Some plants, (beets), can tolerate a little saltiness.
Do you have any washing soda?
The sodium carbonate is used to remove permanent water hardness in some processes.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate

https://thewaterprofessor.com/blogs/articles/what-causes-hard-water-in-london

Today's fun and games, a raised sleeper bed. Easy peasy, apart from carrying the sleepers and 2 tons of soil/compost mix up 15 steps.

1 Attachment

2 agapanthus and a fern (polystichum munitum) arrived from Crocus today.

On balance, the plants seem quite small for the price, however they are in good condition and arrived undamaged so I'm happy.

I'm trying out a few mail order plant suppliers to see what they are like. Ashwood were great, however they specialise in a few particular species so not going to be a one stop shop. Crocus as above and i've got some stuff on the way from rootsplants.

That looks excellent. Mind if I asked where you got your sleepers? Thinking of doing something similar.

They're from Travis Perkins, however, take that as meaning whichever builders/timber merchants has them cheapest, ring around! They're almost always cheaper than garden centres.

Can anyone recommend solutions for pigeons roosting in a tree above an outdoor seating area (with expected results 💩)? I’d really rather not remove it, as that’s just sad. But I’ve tried a few gimmicky Amazon options - reflective ribbons, owls, etc. - and they don’t seem to be very effective so far...

Matched pair of Purdeys should do the trick. Make sure you hang them properly before cooking.

The birds, not the Purdeys.

And I thought chopping the tree down was drastic... 😳

If you can afford Purdeys you can afford a gentleman's gentleman with a simple Baikal and save yourself the effort. Alternatively, chain your leopard to the tree.

It is virtually impossible to rid yourself of avian cockroaches, but Amazon say thanks for the cash.

Amazon say thanks for the cash.

One doesn't buy a matched pair of Purdeys. One inherits them.

.....Then has them adjusted to fit at the approximate price of Dammits next car.

Thanks, good to know.

Some pictures of stuff growing in the garden, not really gardening as such but the radishes I planted (gardening) seem to be doing ok.
Chucked it down here for a few hours so worms aplenty for the early birds

4 Attachments