SPENDING time most days of the week in the Floral Fantasia Seasonal Colour area at the RHS Hyde Hall Garden gives me the opportunity to meet a wide cross-section of the public. I have noticed that a lot of younger people are visiting and showing a keen interest in plants and gardens. When visitors ask questions, it takes a little time to assess how much they know already, before answering and giving appropriate advice. Knowing how to cope with a veritable invasion of slugs and snails is a common problem, especially after the steady delivery of heavy rain and showers through June and July.
A keen and experienced gardener of my acquaintance, fed up with slug and snail damage on sunflowers, went out after dark with a torch and on the first night gathered up 250! The next night, it was just 50, so this exercise will certainly dramatically reduce populations.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters