Q and A with Gardener Phil McCann

[RachelMumsnet]

He's back by popular demand! Following the highly popular Q&A he took part in this summer, Phil McCann from The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has returned to answer your autumnal gardening questions.

The RHS is the UK's leading gardening charity. It helps to bring gardening into people's lives and support gardeners of all levels and abilities. Phil McCann, PR Manager for RHS Gardens, with support from gardeners at the four RHS Gardens, will be answering questions from Mumsnetters throughout this week. And he's here on the Food talk boards to celebrate the harvest, following what can only be described as a 'bumper year for courgettes'! Whatever your query - from container growing spuds to protecting your peaches over winter - Phil and the RHS team are on hand to give you advice and information.

The final day for questions is Friday 22 October and to celebrate his return to the talk boards, the RHS is offering Mumsnetters an exclusive RHS membership offer. When you sign up for RHS Joint Membership by Direct Debit, you will receive a free Crabtree & Evelyn Gift Set for gardeners. Visit www.rhs.org.uk/mumsnet or email [email protected] with 'Mumsnet' in the subject line.

Phil, who was previously Assistant Producer on BBC's Gardeners' World, is a trained horticulturist and garden writer. He will be checking this thread each day and answering your questions as and when they come in.

[Iamcountingto3]

Oh, and a PS. Ds (Y2) went to Wisley this week on a school trip, and came back full of apple-based excitement, and can't wait to visit again

[hobnob57]

Hi Phil,

Do you have any suggestions for a screening plant such a climber that would grow up the north-facing side of an open-slat vertical wooden fence (so there is south-facing sun coming through the gaps)? We would like a bit more privacy, and preferably some pretty flowers to look at too!

I am a gardening novice in Aberdeenshire.

I have tried clematis a couple of times on the west-facing fence but they just grown and wilt before flowering.

Thanks.

[megonthemoon]

Hi Phil -

We have some lavender in our front garden edging the lawn but it is now very old and woody so needs replacing. Can you suggest some suitable border plants? It's a south facing garden and we'd quite like to have an edible border if possible - was thinking a mix of lavender (any particular species we need if we want to use it in cooking?) and rosemary. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

megonthemoon

[PhilMcCann]

@Iamcountingto3

Thanks for your response Phil (hadn't checked the thread ).
Now, Swiss chard. It is very, very pretty. But I always assume it's going to taste like the perpetual spinach I remember with horror from my childhood. Is it a vegetable likely to terrify (reasonably veg-friendly) small children? Be honest now...

(And you don't want to know what happens at 3/5 ... isn't that the whole point...??)

Dear Iamcountingto3,
I actually think Swiss chard is tasty and if you do a little prep it can be a real success. I always remove about a third of the lower part of the stem as this can be tough. Then cut the remaining stems ( or major ribs) into chunky sections and stir fry them. The leaves need to be steamed to keep the vitamins and taste and prevent that mushy quagmire effect - works for me! Oh, and always clean the leaves well as grit doesn't go down well.
Now - this parenting lark and counting from 5 to 0 to stop bad behaviour ....our 5 yr old has pushed it from five to one but never nought. If he does then....? Luckily he is getting better behaved ( and fantastic at school on numbers 5 to 3)

[PhilMcCann]

@Iamcountingto3

Oh, and a PS. Ds (Y2) went to Wisley this week on a school trip, and came back full of apple-based excitement, and can't wait to visit again

great news - I'll let Wisley know. I was there last Friday and saw a group of children on a trip -very well behaved ( I was having an exqusite chocolate brownie and latte in the glasshouse cafe at the time - it's a tough job but someone has to do it!) Maybe it was your group? It is great for children and this weekend ( the start of Taste of Autumn) the conker record attempt ( Oct 30th) and children eating free all through November are all great events / promotions. And if you are out and about the other three gardens aren't too bad!

[PhilMcCann]

@hobnob57

Hi Phil,

Do you have any suggestions for a screening plant such a climber that would grow up the north-facing side of an open-slat vertical wooden fence (so there is south-facing sun coming through the gaps)? We would like a bit more privacy, and preferably some pretty flowers to look at too!

I am a gardening novice in Aberdeenshire.

I have tried clematis a couple of times on the west-facing fence but they just grown and wilt before flowering.

Thanks.

Dear Hobnob57,
I would go for a climbing hydrangea. They are fantastic plants for growing in your conditions and produce glossy green leaves and white heads of flowers in summer. Now be patient - young plants can sulk when first planted ( they don't wilt or anything but may only produce a few new shoots) Then, after a year they decide you are Ok after all and romp away ( but not in a Russian vine kind of way) They are easy to look after - nip out the flower heads when they have died and maybe trim back a couple of wayward branches. Perfect.
Your clematis worries me - grow, wilt and die isn't the usual sequence! Plant your clems deep, keep the roots cool and tops in the sun ( cover the soil around the plant with large stones to keep them cool)and water in the first year. I also sometimes slide a plastic drainpipe ( or clay one if you can get them) over the lower couple of inches of plant to protect the lower stems from slugs and over enthusiastic hoeing. Go for the climbing hydrangea and you'll be fine!

[PhilMcCann]

@megonthemoon

Hi Phil -

We have some lavender in our front garden edging the lawn but it is now very old and woody so needs replacing. Can you suggest some suitable border plants? It's a south facing garden and we'd quite like to have an edible border if possible - was thinking a mix of lavender (any particular species we need if we want to use it in cooking?) and rosemary. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

megonthemoon

Dear megaonthemoon,
Lavender does get old and woody and eventually will need replacing. You can keep younger plants going by cutting back immediately after flowering, but one gardener I know replaces his lavender every four years ( bit £££ for me!)So, dig out the plants including the roots. Then remove some soil and replace with well rotted compost or soil from somewhere else in the garden. The fascinating thing about lavender is that its roots exude chemicals that actually stop other plants from growing ( or at least reduce the vigour of other plants) It's a survival technique to reduce competition - and just to show off for a minute is something called allelopathy ( I knew studying science all those years ago would pay off!) Then plant what you want.
South facing sounds great and English lavender is the usual choice for the kitchen. Any rosemary is good and I wouldn't be without thymes in that area - there are so many different 'flavours' to choose from. In fact, any of the herbs will do well and generally anything with silver leaves will do well- these are adapted to dry and sunny positions.
Hope that helps.

[PhilMcCann]

@ib

Thanks, those sound great!

No problem

[PhilMcCann]

@SoloBlackWidowSpidersWebSite

I would like to Phil, thanks! I'll have to kill the lot off first and see what I can do next year now :)

It would of course be much easier with an expert such as yourself

It has to be worth it - tame part of the garden first and don't take it all on at once. And you don't have to wait until next year - get cracking on it now ( looks sunny today and the forecast is Ok for tomorrow as well) You can make a start!

[aquamortis]

Thanks very much Phil. The two non-pregnant allotmenteers were dispatched yesterday afternoon with bramble tackling equipment and a teeny tiny patch has already been cleared. Seeing other people's plots looking lovely is very inspiring.

Dpes anyone have any tips for entertaining a toddler on an allotment?

[PhilMcCann]

@aquamortis

Thanks very much Phil. The two non-pregnant allotmenteers were dispatched yesterday afternoon with bramble tackling equipment and a teeny tiny patch has already been cleared. Seeing other people's plots looking lovely is very inspiring.

Dpes anyone have any tips for entertaining a toddler on an allotment?

'teeny tiny patch' = a start = brilliant. And the sun is shining so it should be another great day on the plot.
Keep at it.

[SoloBlackWidowSpidersWebSite]

Phil, thank you for your positive encouragement but, I think I'll pass on today. It's freeeezing!
Going to do it though! promise :)

[PhilMcCann]

@SoloBlackWidowSpidersWebSite

Phil, thank you for your positive encouragement but, I think I'll pass on today. It's freeeezing!
Going to do it though! promise :)

Come on - it's perfect weather for clearing weeds and general tidying - it's not going to be warm until next spring so no excuses!

Seriously, good luck - it will be worth it.

[mrspink27]

Thanks Phil for the info about lavender and their "root emissions"! We have a lavender and roses bed running the length of our front path ( long and narrow ) I have tried so many other plants in the gaps to fill them in and nothing has ever, ever survived or thrived. A serious rethink required now I think! Great thread! So much useful, sensible advice!

[PhilMcCann]

@mrspink27

Thanks Phil for the info about lavender and their "root emissions"! We have a lavender and roses bed running the length of our front path ( long and narrow ) I have tried so many other plants in the gaps to fill them in and nothing has ever, ever survived or thrived. A serious rethink required now I think! Great thread! So much useful, sensible advice!

Many thanks

[megonthemoon]

Thank you for the advice! I do love lavender when it's in flower as it smells beautiful and attracts the bees but it really does need replacing now as it is more wood than flowers now :(.

[PhilMcCann]

@megonthemoon

Thank you for the advice! I do love lavender when it's in flower as it smells beautiful and attracts the bees but it really does need replacing now as it is more wood than flowers now :(.

It's what lavender does and although we tend to be tough on ourselves when plants go 'wrong' - this time is is just nature doing its thing. And you're right, nothing attracts bees like lavender.

[ampere]

Phil-

I live in south Hampshire and have fairly heavy clay soil. I want to replace a 'domestic' blackberry bush with a black lace elder. It'll be in dappled sun for the second half of the day, west facing bed.

Do you think that's a good idea?!

And (greedy second question!): I've missed this autumn's window for planting an ornamental silver birch, haven't I? It's -2.5 out there today! When can I have another go? Late spring?

Thanks.

[PhilMcCann]

@ampere

Phil-

I live in south Hampshire and have fairly heavy clay soil. I want to replace a 'domestic' blackberry bush with a black lace elder. It'll be in dappled sun for the second half of the day, west facing bed.

Do you think that's a good idea?!

And (greedy second question!): I've missed this autumn's window for planting an ornamental silver birch, haven't I? It's -2.5 out there today! When can I have another go? Late spring?

Thanks.

Dear ampere,
The elder will love it there - they are tolerant of most conditions. Now, as for you saying you've missed the autumn planting window...you don't get off that easily. We are only just beginnnig the start of the best time to plant trees and shrubs - OK, maybe a bit cold this morning but as long as you don't need a pickaxe to open up the soil or it is waterlogged there is no better time. The soil is still warm, moist and the dormant trees and shrubs will not even know they've been planted. So get an extra jumper on and get out there!!!

[RachelMumsnet]

That's it folks. Thanks so much for Phil for joining us again and answering all our questions. We'll be archiving the Q and A and will link to the transcription from this page. Fingers crossed we'll persuade Phil to join us again in the Spring.