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Mike Palmer's forum posts
Total number of forum posts: 15
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Gardens by Mike Palmer
I regularly deadhead my Petunias, but they are getting a little leggy. I can see new shoots in the leaf axils and wondered how the plants would respond if I cut the leggy growth back to a leaf bud?
Has anyone done this successfully?
Mike
- Posted: Sat. 9th July 2011 15:05
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from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
My Cosmos seedlings have been pricked out & are developing well (approx 4" high now). Should I nip out the top now to encourage bushier plants?
On a similar vein, I potted up Dahlia Bishop of Llandaff tubers which have also now sprouted single stems. Should these also be pinched for bushier plants.
Thanks
Mike
- Posted: Sun. 1st May 2011 08:43
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from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
For me, Carol Klein epitomises gardening. Her passion and sheer enthusiasm for all things green and organic is instantly infectious.
In 'Life in a Cottage Garden' we're invited to have a sneaky peek over the boundary hedge of Glebe Cottage, her home and garden in the beautiful North Devon countryside.
The book takes the format of a gardener's diary, with Carol sharing a personal and intimate insight into her day-to-day activities in her garden with her husband Neil, daughters Annie and Alice, pet dogs Fleur and Fifi and cat Sylvie. As each month unfolds we're treated to fascinating insights into what needs to be undertaken in the different areas within her garden, including the Brick Garden, the Hot Beds and the Woodland Garden. Alongside this are details of the year round hive of propagation activity in the potting shed.
What is particularly striking is the sheer volume of activities that Carol takes upon herself. I was left feeling somewhat inadequate at times and I'm almost 15 years her junior!
A strong theme in this book is propagation, which is only to be expected of a leading plantswoman. Anything and everything that can be propagated, is. Whilst details of the how and when for some elements of propagation are shown in the book, readers will benefit from getting hold of a copy of Carol's 'Grow Your Own Garden' book (see my Shoot review).
In summary, a great read, which is both entertaining, informative and fascinating. But the book is more than this; Carol's descriptions of fauna and flora, prevailing weather conditions and the surrounding North Devonshire countryside are a joy to read. With stunning photography by Jonathan Buckley, this book is a must for all gardeners.
- Posted: Wed. 23rd February 2011 12:04
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from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
Hi. My interview with Neil is a fascinating insight into him, his new book and the Chelsea Flower Show. If Neil is happy, would you be interested in sharing it with the Shoot readers?
I'm happy for you to see what I've written beforehand.
Mike
- Posted: Wed. 23rd February 2011 09:54
from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
In these austere days of spending cuts, increased VAT and job losses, this book is a ray of golden sunshine. Not only does Carol's sheer enthusiasm make you want to go straight out into your own garden and start propagating everything, but in addition by doing so, you'll be saving yourself a small fortune.
Refreshingly too, Carol's book is extremely well organised with chapters devoted to seeds, root cuttings, stem cuttings, layering, division and a whole lot more. The introduction of each section explains exactly how the propagation technique works, tools needed and when is the best time to do it. Carol also links the different propagation practices back to how plants propagate themselves in nature so you have a really clear understanding of why certain techniques work.
Having completely de-mystified propagation, Carol also includes a section on the all important 'aftercare' of newly propagated plants. And finally, once you've mastered the theory of the different techniques, there's a quick reference table at the back of the book matching specific plants to propagation techniques for available for that plant.
Just one note of caution. I'm already in need of a much bigger greenhouse!
- Posted: Wed. 23rd February 2011 09:39
from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
Grass guru, Neil Lucas, is the nine consecutive Chelsea Flower Show gold medalist and owner of the beautiful Knoll Gardens in Dorset.
In this Neil's first book he provides a fascinating and practical guide to using grasses in a wide variety of differing garden situations. And whilst the book is beautifully illustrated throughout with photographs by Neil and photographer Dianna Jazwinski, Neil's descriptions of grasses and how they change throughout the season are exquisite.
The book also contains a useful directory of grasses and grass-like plants, detailing where they grow best, dimensions and more.
This book is a must for gardeners and designers. I defy even the most experienced of us to put this book down without having learnt something new.
My blog http://gardensbymikepalmer.blogspot will be featuring an exclusive interview with Neil Lucas later this week.
- Posted: Wed. 23rd February 2011 09:08
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from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
Chris, alongside the horticultural fleece a 3-4" mulch of compost at the base of the plants will also help to keep the frost from penetrating down to the roots. Good luck. Mike
- Posted: Wed. 23rd February 2011 08:49
from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
Thanks Kathy. I'll give the water/bleach solution a try. Mike
- Posted: Thu. 6th January 2011 21:49
from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
Does anyone have an effective solution for the removal of moss on a Tarmac drive? I've heard people mention Jeyes fluid.
Any ideas gratefully received. Thanks. Mike
- Posted: Wed. 5th January 2011 10:19
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from
Gardens by Mike Palmer
Hi. Peonies prefer a sunny or partially shaded site with a good moisture retentive soil. Most importantly, they shouldn't be planted too deep as this will result in fewer or even no flowers. A good feed with a general fertiliser will also help in March/April time.
Good Luck!
Mike Palmer
- Posted: Tue. 28th December 2010 16:43
"I used Shoot for my garden design. I looked up all the plants I liked on Shoot and decided where they should go on my plan, then went back to the garden centre and bought them. "
