What can I start growing in my garden at this time of year as in fruit and veg?
I collect chestnuts, acorns, sycamore 'helicopters', beech nuts, rowan berries etc over the last few years during Autumn, and stick them in pots in compost over winter, usually in the garden shed. Often they won't germinate, but they regularly do. I now have a couple dozen tree saplings / seedlings and think they should probably be potted on for further growth. They range from 3-4 inches to 2-3 feet tall. When's best and any advice for best results?
I planted a hydrangea earlier this year, which was thriving - lovely dark green foliage & growing rapidly. Since the start of our 'summer' it has started to be effected by, what looks like, mildew. It has started to turn a pale yellow and is losing its leaves. I've treated the mildew with a baking soda solution however the shrub is still failing, badly!
How can I improve the soil in my garden? It is dry and lumpy and seems to flood easily. When I dig into it, it doesn't crumble. When I water the plants it seems to take time to drain.
Some years ago, I bought back two cones from Israel (sentimental reasons) and recently put a couple of the seeds into some compost. Surprisingly they have taken root and I now have four little bright yellow green spikey shoots almost like the spikes of an upturned umbrella. Do you think they will survive here and can you give me any tips on how to help them survive in our climate.
I bought a plastic hanging basket preplanted with cherry tomatoes. They are just ripening but the plant appears to be dying and half the tomatoes are diseased looking . What is it and what can we do?