How about a gardening thread?

[smoky]

	Quote:	pilatus1
	What are the posts made of?

He said concrete. I`d recommend concreting them. Gravel and sand will end up with wonky posts eventually. One can set them on gravel in the holes and tamp them down well, even fill up with some broken bricks (well tamped in) , but concrete will set them so they don`t budge.

[Tom1234]

	Quote:	smoky
	He said concrete. I`d recommend concreting them. Gravel and sand will end up with wonky posts eventually. One can set them on gravel in the holes and tamp them down well, even fill up with some broken bricks (well tamped in) , but concrete will set them so they don`t budge.

Oh no he didn't!

The problem with concreting wooden posts in (if they are wood) is that the wood can get rotten within the post as it can't dry out. And then when you want to replace the posts, they're stuck in a block of rock hard concrete.

But if they're metal posts, I'd use some of that ready mix and just tip it into the hole and add the requisite amount of water.

[Odile]

Just returned from 2 weeks in Southern Sicily, touring around- and as much as I loved the old towns and antiquities, from Ortygia to Agrigento- it will be the wild flowers which will always be with me from this holiday.

In Noto Antica, destroyed by an earthquake in the 18C- we counted 4 different types of Sweet Peas, and the smell was amazing. Everywhere, huge swathes of wild sweet peas and huge trailing red clover and tall yellow margaritas, so many different orchids and in a WWF reserve near Agrigento, loads of tiny irises about 3cm tall, cystus, rock roses, thymes, artemisias, rosemary, and so much more. Can't wait for our own Spring here that should be here as soon as the rain clears off.

We have 2 different types of perenial sweet peas here (if anyone wants some, do ask, but they are a bit invasive) but sadly they have no smell.

[neddy]

Thought I would try setting up an EF gardening group as it's a subject I am sure we could talk about a lot.
http://www.englishforum.ch/group.php?groupid=116

[pilatus1]

	Quote:	Tom1234
	Oh no he didn't! The problem with concreting wooden posts in (if they are wood) is that the wood can get rotten within the post as it can't dry out. And then when you want to replace the posts, they're stuck in a block of rock hard concrete. But if they're metal posts, I'd use some of that ready mix and just tip it into the hole and add the requisite amount of water.

I was thinking the same thing - where'd he say concrete posts?

My solution to fixing the wooden posts:

-Go to obi or hornbach or wherever, and ask for some old cardboard tubes they have laying around (the kind that carpet or other by-the-meter materials come rolled on).

-Cut tube to desired lengths, the longer the better to prevent frost heave. 60-80cm?

-Dig your hole (preferably with a post hole digger, to save a bunch of work and minimize creating loose soil).

-Insert tube in hole and backfill/tamp around it with the excavated soil.

-Fill tube with concrete, and insert a post bracket while still wet. Might need to tap it in with a hammer or 5 lb sledge. Leave a cm gap between the bracket and the top of the concrete. (You don't want the wooden post to be touching the concrete at all, or it may wick moisture from the ground and rot the post.)

If you don't use the tubes, you'll just be wasting a hole lot of concrete. Especially if you didn't have a post hole digger or auger and had to use a shovel.

[pilatus1]

	Quote:	Odile
	Just returned from 2 weeks in Southern Sicily, touring around- and as much as I loved the old towns and antiquities, from Ortygia to Agrigento- it will be the wild flowers which will always be with me from this holiday. In Noto Antica, destroyed by an earthquake in the 18C- we counted 4 different types of Sweet Peas, and the smell was amazing. Everywhere, huge swathes of wild sweet peas and huge trailing red clover and tall yellow margaritas, so many different orchids and in a WWF reserve near Agrigento, loads of tiny irises about 3cm tall, cystus, rock roses, thymes, artemisias, rosemary, and so much more. Can't wait for our own Spring here that should be here as soon as the rain clears off. We have 2 different types of perenial sweet peas here (if anyone wants some, do ask, but they are a bit invasive) but sadly they have no smell.

I'd love some perennial sweet peas, Odile! I'm looking to fill in between my edible perennials with (perennial) nitrogen fixers. Hmm..how to get them from you? Do they produce much seed? And do they sprout easily( I was thinking about getting some perennial pea vine seed- but they require scarification, 6 months cold stratification, and a bit of luck to get started...)

For those who are interested, leguminous plants (family Fabaceae) have a symbiotic relationship with beneficial bacteria (rhizobia) that form colonies/nodules on the roots (little white balls). The bacteria take in atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a usable form for the plant. The plant grows better, making more roots - and places for more bacterial colonies. The bacteria actually put more N into the soil than the host plant can use - feeding the surrounding plants as well. (especially if you cut back/coppice the host plant) - a portion of the roots die off and the bacterial N goes straight into the soil. The process is called nitrogen fixation...

There are many plants/trees with this attribute - but so far for perennials, this climate zone, the size of my garden, etc. - I have some perennial clover, a type of vetch, lupines, scotch broom, and wisteria. Perennial sweet peas would be an excellent, and beautiful, addition....

[smoky]

	Quote:	dodgyken
	My gardening project for 2015 was going to be to build some nice raised beds - it is however turning into the "year of the fence". Being as it costs the national debt of Liberia to build 23m of fence I will take on this ambitious task myself. Now: to concrete the new posts or just tamp down really well with sand, gravel and then dirt?

Ja, you`re all correct! I read *concrete* and my single braincell interpreted it was concrete Posts!


Sincere apologies to all concerned parties.

[edot]

Well, my lemon tree is happy, my rhododendron is blooming and my apothecary rose is full of buds. I have to put the shelves together for my peppers - they need to go into the tent soon.

[newtoswitz]

	Quote:	dodgyken
	to concrete the new posts or just tamp down really well with sand, gravel and then dirt?

My recommendation is a bit of both - concrete in 4" drain pipe making sure the bottom is still open to soil for drainage, then pack the posts into that with fine gravel, with some gravel in the bottom as well.

You get the strength of a concrete foundation, but the drainage and ability to adjust of packing. Don't include sand - it doesn't add anything to the strength and just reduces the drainage.

[Odile]

	Quote:	edot
	Well, my lemon tree is happy, my rhododendron is blooming and my apothecary rose is full of buds. I have to put the shelves together for my peppers - they need to go into the tent soon.

So happy they are doing well. Thought about you last couple of weeks- when surrounded by lemons and oranges- half full of fruit and half full of flowers. The smell was unbelievable- especially when mixed with huge banks of wild sweet peas.

[maxiii]

Re gardening. Has anyone any idea how to rent one of these gardens in the north of Zurich?

https://goo.gl/IYQATX

[Belgianmum]

To all you keen gardeners out there I'd advise you to keep on eye on local notice boards or local newspapers for upcoming plant swaps in your area.
I've just seen in our paper that there will be one very near to me on Saturday afternoon.

[ladylou]

I have a shallow enough concrete flower pot in the garden.. Anything i try grow ends up dead, seems the thing gets waterlogged.. any tips? What would thrive well in it? Or do i need to change the soil?

[Medea Fleecestealer]

Drill a hole in the bottom of the pot so the water can drain out.

[Belgianmum]

	Quote:	Medea Fleecestealer
	Drill a hole in the bottom of the pot so the water can drain out.

This^^^. Plus change the soil or at least part of it and don't forget to feed the plants. The soil will slowly get drained of nutrients over time and needs 'refreshing' every now and again.

[Tasebo]

	Quote:	ladylou
	I have a shallow enough concrete flower pot in the garden.. Anything i try grow ends up dead, seems the thing gets waterlogged.. any tips? What would thrive well in it? Or do i need to change the soil?

Another possibility is that the pot has become a nice home for bacteria of one sort or another. If you are changing the soil, before you refill the pot give it a really goid wash w/hot water and some soap.

[ladylou]

Thank you all, checked there and there is holes in the bottom. I think i'll change the soil then and give it a good clean while i'm at it!

[Tom1234]

Large Container for raised bed?

We have quite a small garden and the only bit sunny enough to grow veg etc is against the building with glass full length windows and/or has a garage underneath.

So, I was thinking of getting a free standing raised bed, about 1.5m x 0.6m and about 30-40cm high so the kids could grow a few things such as salad.
This would sit on a gravel area near the flat.

Hornbach has one (here) which is 0.6m high which is a bit tall as it would block the view of some flower beds from our dining area.

Has anyone seen anything on their travels around the garden centers etc which isn't eye-watering expensive (1500 CHF at Meier) which would do the trick.

I could make one but by the time I had bought all the wood and lining etc, I probably would have spent a lot more.


Thanks

[Belgianmum]

	Quote:	Tom1234
	Large Container for raised bed? We have quite a small garden and the only bit sunny enough to grow veg etc is against the building with glass full length windows and/or has a garage underneath. So, I was thinking of getting a free standing raised bed, about 1.5m x 0.6m and about 30-40cm high so the kids could grow a few things such as salad. This would sit on a gravel area near the flat. Hornbach has one (here) which is 0.6m high which is a bit tall as it would block the view of some flower beds from our dining area. Has anyone seen anything on their travels around the garden centers etc which isn't eye-watering expensive (1500 CHF at Meier) which would do the trick. I could make one but by the time I had bought all the wood and lining etc, I probably would have spent a lot more. Thanks

They had some in Aldi here last week for a very reasonable price but I'm not sure how high they were. Maybe worth a look though if you've got one nearby.

[Tasebo]

	Quote:	Tom1234
	Large Container for raised bed? We have quite a small garden and the only bit sunny enough to grow veg etc is against the building with glass full length windows and/or has a garage underneath. So, I was thinking of getting a free standing raised bed, about 1.5m x 0.6m and about 30-40cm high so the kids could grow a few things such as salad. This would sit on a gravel area near the flat. Hornbach has one (here) which is 0.6m high which is a bit tall as it would block the view of some flower beds from our dining area. Has anyone seen anything on their travels around the garden centers etc which isn't eye-watering expensive (1500 CHF at Meier) which would do the trick. I could make one but by the time I had bought all the wood and lining etc, I probably would have spent a lot more. Thanks

As my children are now past sandbox age I haven't had my eyes on the prices, however years ago I used a simple wooden sandbox as a children's garden for salads, carrots etc, Some of them have an edge/corners that are comfortable for sitting on as well so they can admire their crops with tramping on the young growth.

I cringe when I write this, but have you checked IKEA? They usually have a decent assortment of outdoor play equipment this time of year.