Your garden DILEMMAS
Anna-lisa De’ath has the solutions to your green-fingered problems
Q
How can
I make my narrow garden look less boring? A
The best way to add interest to a narrow plot is to add curves and zoned areas to visually widen the space. Divide the plot up into smaller blocks so that you don’t see everything from the outset. Create curved flowerbeds and borders, and wind a meandering pathway of stepping stones that will lead you on a journey through the space. Fill the beds with plants that add height and structure, such as tall alliums, Verbena bonariensis and tree ferns, or climbers wound around metal or wooden obelisks.
Q
What’s the best type of compost to use on my garden? A Choosing the right compost is essential to get the most out of your flowers, fruit and veg, but the ingredients that make up different composts can vary dramatically. For the best results it is wise to use a ‘fit for purpose’ compost, which has been tailor-made for the job in hand, whether that’s one with a fine consistency for seedlings or an enriched one for fruit and veg. Peatfree composts are a more sustainable choice and they’re now widely available in good garden centres. Dalefoot Q
How can I spruce up my tired paving? A Over the winter months garden paving and patios can often become dirty and discoloured due to a build-up of rotting
RE80 electric leaves, excess water pressure washer, and algae. You can £129, Stihl use a hose, patio cleaner and a scrubbing brush to clean your paving, but the quickest and simplest way to give it
Compost adds Herdwick sheep’s wool and bracken to its organic, peat-free compost range, which helps it retain moisture, slowly releases nitrogen into the soil and makes the products lighter and easier to use. a new lease of life is to use a pressure washer to blast away the grime. You’ll need to make sure you’re using the right washer – too powerful and you’ll damage the surface, too weak and the grime won’t shift. Work from one edge or corner of the patio, blasting the dirt away from you in a sweeping motion.
Q How can I deter foxes and cats from coming into my garden?
A
There are a number of methods to keep unwanted visitors out of your flowerbeds. Visual deterrents, such as cat silhouettes with reflective eyes, can trick felines into thinking there’s already a cat in residence and encourage them to go elsewhere. Scented repellents that contain natural materials, such as garlic extract (or even lion dung!), mask the territorial markings left by cats and can prevent them from effectively ‘marking’ their territory so they avoid the area in future. For a more high-tech solution, you could place sonic deterrents in your beds and borders, which emit a high-frequency wave that results in an irritating sound to many animals.
Pestbye battery-operated ultrasonic cat repeller, £16.99, Primrose
Q
I want to create an outdoor dining area. What should I consider?
A
There’s nothing more enjoyable than entertaining friends and family al fresco, but there are a number of elements to think about when planning an outdoor dining space. Firstly, choose an area of the garden that is sheltered from the wind and has a hard surface, such as decking or a paved patio, to prevent table and chair legs from sinking into the ground. Add seat pads and cushions to seating for extra comfort, while some throws or blankets will be welcome additions if the weather turns chilly after dark. Lighting is crucial if you plan on entertaining at night. Use wind-proof hurricane lanterns and battery-powered candles or festoon bulbs to cast a soft glow on the table. Q My garden doesn’t get much sunlight. What can I plant in a shady space?
A
There are plenty of interesting and colourful plants that can tolerate and even thrive in a sunless spot. Before you head to the garden centre, the most important thing is to understand the type of shade that you have. Light shade means slight shade for all or most of the day, partial shade means plants are in sun for some of the day and dappled shade is mottled light filtered through tree foliage. Plus, the soil in your shady spot could be damp or dry. All of these factors will determine what you can grow. Plants with cream, pale yellow, white, lilac and pale pink flowers work best against dark foliage, as do plants with variegated leaves.