Gardening questions answered by David Domoney. David is a Chartered Horticulturalist with over 40 years of experience growing and caring for plants. David has also worked on UK national television for over 2 decades. As a garden designer, David has won over 30 RHS medals for his garden designs at leading UK gardening shows and events.
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_dropcap]Q[/fusion_dropcap]How can I stop a squirrel from digging in my pots and disturbing the bulbs?
Mavis
[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_dropcap]A[/fusion_dropcap]I know how you feel! The cheeky blighters. My top tip is to grate a little smelly soap into the hole as you plant the bulbs, and then sprinkle a bit on the surface too.
The smellier the soap, the better! You can even use the free packets you get in hotels. That will deter the squirrel.
If you have a serious problem with them, you can also bury a little chicken wire just under the surface of the soil. It will block out the squirrels and the bulb will grow through it.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_repeat=”no-repeat” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”true” hover_type=”none” border_position=”all” align_self=”flex-start” first=”true” link=””][fusion_text][fusion_dropcap]Q[/fusion_dropcap] Is it too late to pot up bulbs for early Christmas flowering?
[fusion_dropcap]A[/fusion_dropcap] Not at all! I love narcissus papyraceus, known as paperwhite narcissus. They are tiny, delicate daffodils that flower profusely. They only take five weeks to flower, so you should have time to get them going before Christmas!
Plant now in small pots filled with peat-free potting compost and grit mixture. If the soil is too heavy it may get waterlogged, which is not good for bulbs. Put crocks in the base too to aid drainage.
Plant the bulbs just below the surface about 2.5cm apart. Store the pots in a dark place below 10C – a cellar or unheated shed is perfect.
When the buds form, bring the pots inside to the warmth and light. Do not place them above radiators. Good luck!
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible” type=”legacy”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”true” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” align_self=”flex-start” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text][fusion_dropcap]Q[/fusion_dropcap]I have just bought some palm trees and put them in the garden. How should I care for them over winter?
[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”true” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” align_self=”flex-start” border_sizes_top=”” border_sizes_bottom=”” border_sizes_left=”” border_sizes_right=”” first=”true”][fusion_text][fusion_dropcap]A[/fusion_dropcap]Actually, most palm trees should be perfectly hardy in a sheltered spot in the British climate. They are hardier than you might think!
However, if it does get very cold over winter, or there is a risk of snow, wrap the trees with horticultural fleece. You should wrap a few layers around the trunk to keep it warm until the cold snap passes.
Also protect the crown (the bit on the top of the trunk where the leaves start) with fleece or straw held in place with some string or wire.
You may also want to protect roots with a mulch – this will stop frost penetrating too deep into the soil.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”3_4″ layout=”1_2″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”true” border_sizes_top=”0″ border_sizes_bottom=”0″ border_sizes_left=”0″ border_sizes_right=”0″ first=”true”][fusion_separator style_type=”single solid” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]
