ASK DIARMUID
Yellow, there: The dandelions didn’t do too badly during the dry weather
and keep out weedy competitors.
There are other weedkillers on the market that don’t contain glyphosate and are often acid based. These will burn off the leaves but not penetrate to the root system so will need regular application.
Home made versions include vinegar mixes with liquid soap or simply pouring boiling water on the weeds.
Again you won’t have root penetration so personally I think you’re better pulling them out.
Whatever your method, it’s not worth risking your health for the sake of a neat garden.
So I think we should all relax a little and be sensible about how we approach our gardening.
Q
I want to redo my flower beds. I’m removing old plants and want to put in something with a wow factor. It’s a sunny site – have you any ideas?
A
Clare
Good for you – too often we are reluctant to ring the changes and to recognise when something is no longer working or exciting us.
A sunny site means you have plenty of options, though the first thing I always do before any replanting is to improve the soil, preferably with buckets of well-rotted manure or garden compost.
As for the wow factor – well that comes in the form of hot colours, dramatic foliage or even tropical-style plants.
Some of my favourites at the moment are the really dramatic big heads of agapanthus and zingy colours from dahlias.
Add to that some laterflowering perennials such as heleniums and rudbeckias and you have the start of something wow!