Gardening Question

[dessie]

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Right, you clever green-fingered lot, same question about two different plants.

Firstly, I have a lovely pink Broom (not the kind you sweep the floor with) in my front garden which has just got a bit OTT. OH chopped some back the other year when it was in bloom (w00t) which I went ballistic about but it did recover. Now it has fallen all over the place with the high winds we had a while back and looks very untidy.

My question is:

Can I cut it right back to the ground :sweating: or, if not, how much should I cut it back :- "

and

When :unsure:

Secondly, I also have a Black Elder which has gone mad and turned into a small tree. I know normally you can cut those right back in winter when they are shrubs but can I do the same now that it has turned tree-like??? :b

AND THE BL**DY SLUGS & SNAILS HAVE EATEN MOST OF MY PETUNIAS THIS YEAR :rant: Never had a problem before, why this year??? :angry:

 

[Janimal]

Ive got a normal yellow broom which i cut back drastically a few years ago and it still came back strong as ever.....sorry no help with the tree though - not sure. :unsure:

Ive heard chopped up eggshells around your plants help prevent snails too. :thumbsup:

 

[Seraphina]

This should help with the broom

prunning broom

It must be just a good year for snails.

I am not sure about the elder. Is it just one trunk? How thick? Does it get new sprouts from old wood? Pruning in winter would be safer, though. :luck:

 

[oakmoorehill]

I've heard about the smashed egg shell thing as well also fine gravel round the plants is supposed to stop slugs and snails getting to plants

 

[jue332]

Ive got a normal yellow broom which i cut back drastically a few years ago and it still came back strong as ever.....sorry no help with the tree though - not sure. :unsure:
Ive heard chopped up eggshells around your plants help prevent snails too. :thumbsup:

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I tried the smashed up eggshells last year and Gracie ate them all (w00t) (w00t) (w00t) the fine gravel worked though :thumbsup:

 

[Strike Whippets]

We use the crunched up eggshells and they work wonders ........Even my Hostas aren't holey :thumbsup: ......I guess it's been so wet this year, just right for the slugs and snails :angry:

 

[Janimal]

Ive got a normal yellow broom which i cut back drastically a few years ago and it still came back strong as ever.....sorry no help with the tree though - not sure. :unsure:
Ive heard chopped up eggshells around your plants help prevent snails too. :thumbsup:

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I tried the smashed up eggshells last year and Gracie ate them all (w00t) (w00t) (w00t) the fine gravel worked though :thumbsup:

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[/quote

oh dear Julie :lol: dont you just love them.

well maybe my idea wont work this season either....

 

[billyboy45]

Use slug pellet's for the slug's n snail's.But watch the dog's with them,as they are very highly poisinous,and there aint no cure or antidote,as i learned to my horror.If failing that,just laeve out little pile's of salt,and watch that do the buiseness.

 

[Seraphina]

I would only use slug pellets as the last resort. I have done that in the past but only put it such a way that i am sure the dogs cannot get it. Best is to get some old ceramic drainage pipes, put them in shady spots, dig a little trench for them, cover with mulch and place the snail bait inside right in the middle. They are cool and damp, perfect places for snails to go to. The white plastic sewer pipes will do, but they are harder to hide and easier to move by the animals, so I put large flat stone over mine. I then clean out the dead snails periodicaly. :luck:

Some people swear by saucer with bear, i actually found that ginger bear works. I also heard that sawdust will deter snail.

Maybe you could teach your frog-dog to eat snails? Would save on feeding bill too........ :- "

 

[Tesa]

Some people swear by saucer with bear, i actually found that ginger bear works.  I also heard that sawdust will deter snail. 

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Take it that you are not a beer drinker then Lida :lol: You are right though, beer will do the trick :thumbsup: Get a margarine container full of beer, bury it up to the rim in the ground. The snails are attracted by the smell, they fall in, get drunk and drown. Works a treat with no risk to the dogs :thumbsup:

 

[Tesa]

posted twice

 

[Jessr123]

Take it that you are not a beer drinker then Lida :lol: You are right though, beer will do the trick :thumbsup: Get a margarine container full of beer, bury it up to the rim in the ground. The snails are attracted by the smell, they fall in, get drunk and drown. Works a treat with no risk to the dogs :thumbsup:

Beer is all very well but my two are addicted to it so if we put it out in a trap it all gets drunk - we have very happy dogs though!

 

[Seraphina]

Some people swear by saucer with bear, i actually found that ginger bear works.  I also heard that sawdust will deter snail. 

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Take it that you are not a beer drinker then Lida :lol: You are right though, beer will do the trick :thumbsup: Get a margarine container full of beer, bury it up to the rim in the ground. The snails are attracted by the smell, they fall in, get drunk and drown. Works a treat with no risk to the dogs :thumbsup:

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:lol: :b I meant grizzly bear to stand on them 8)

 

[Roedeane]

Ive got a normal yellow broom which i cut back drastically a few years ago and it still came back strong as ever.....sorry no help with the tree though - not sure. :unsure:
Ive heard chopped up eggshells around your plants help prevent snails too. :thumbsup:

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I tried the smashed up eggshells last year and Gracie ate them all (w00t) (w00t) (w00t) the fine gravel worked though :thumbsup:

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Well done Gracie!

 

[Janimal]

No I wouldnt use slug pellets either especially with a little puppy around....much too risky... with nosy whippets around

anway I have another alternative this year....Im not planting too many bedding plants :- "

 

[dessie]

Well, I have cut the broom back .............. if it doesn't grow next year I shall hold Lida personally responsible!!! :teehee: LOL!!

The Elder I shall leave until winter and then take a deep breath and be as brave as I can!!

 

[Joanna]

Broom does have a limited life.If it doesn't recover, it isn't your fault, just the end of the line, pop a new one in and don't look back )

 

[Rae]

I'd never use slug pellets anyway, incase the birds ate them.

We've got squillions of snails too - they have half eaten my courgette plants

:luck: to your pink broom Caroline