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• Questions and Answers - The Gardening Register have been offering free gardening advice online for the last four years. The questions and answers can be found on the website here. Over the next few months those questions and answers will be transferred to the blog. Moving location will make it easier for users to find the information they are looking ...
• Wall Rendering - Question: I was wondering if you could advise me on a small matter. Not so long ago we had our garden changed. We used to have a steep sloping garden with a small patio area. This changed as we have taken back the slope and built a wall. This has increased the size of the patio. ...
• Rabbit proof plants - Question: Could you give me the names of some plants that the local rabbit population won’t eat as whatever I seem to plant becomes their latest delicacy? Answer: Thank you for your message regarding rabbit proof plants. No plant is really rabbit proof but they do tend to dislike very aromatic plants, plants that ooze sap, prickly plants, ...
• Small Garden Tree - Question: I have a very small garden 29ft wide by 37ft long I am looking for a small tree that will grow no taller than 8-10ft cant have to wide a spread either can be flowering or have foliage that changes colour with the seasons Answer: If you definitely want a tree I would plump for an Acer. ...
• Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ - Question: Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ A friend bought this for me a few years ago, I have repotted it once and keep it indoors as a previous Daphne (same species) died outdoors planted near the front door (perhaps frost?) This one now seems lack lustre and has not flowered ever in five years. I know I must ...

Flower/Plants

Pull up annuals and put on the compost heap then fork over the beds and border Prune rambling and climbing roses Pot up tender perennials from summer displays and bring under cover for the winter Rake autumn leaves from lawns, and pick them out from around border plants Plant new hedges

Fruit/Vegetables

Save seeds from your favourite tomatoes, herbs and other crops Plant hardy peas and beans Take hardwood cuttings from fruit bushes Pot up herbs to bring indoors for winter Plant out autumn onion sets

Greenhouse

Bring pots of tender bulbs and perennials under cover Line greenhouses with bubble polythene to provide insulation Clean glazing, staging and matting ready for next summer Clear away tomatoes and cucumbers adding the waste to your compost heap Sow sweet peas in pots

General

Store hoses, sprinklers and other watering equipment in the shed over winter Lay new lawn turf Protect ceramic or glazed pots from frost damage Order bare-rooted roses for planting in autumn Wrap insulation around outside taps and pipes

• Jobs to do in February -   Flower/Plants Take root cuttings from perennials Move shrubs growing in the wrong place Spread a mulch over your borders? Pot up containers with bedding displays for spring Fruit/Vegetables Force Rhubarb Check fruits in store, removing any that show signs of rot Prune apples and pears to remove damaged or diseased branches Cover soil with polythene to protect it from rain Plant new fruit trees, cane ...
• Jobs to do in January - In the Flower Garden: Plant bare-root roses, trees and shrubs Prune standard roses Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs Remove dead stems and leaves from perennials Tidy grasses In the Vegetable Garden: Fork over empty beds and mix in compost Plant fruit trees Prune Gooseberry bushes Warm up beds for early crops Tie raspberry and blackberry canes to support wires In the Greenhouse: Monitor heaters to ensure they are ...
• Looking after your lawn in Winter - Try to rest the lawn as much as possible during winter. If practical keep off when wet or frosty, as the grass plants are not actively growing; they will not repair themselves if damaged until the spring. Mowing Only mow the lawn if necessary; this will depend upon weather conditions and temperatures at the time. Do not ...

The Gardening Register

The website has two main functions; the first is to offer Free Gardening Advice Online to help with all gardening problems and queries. The questions received over the years have been added to the Q&A section of the website along with accurate and informative answers. Over the coming months these pages will be migrated to the blog to make it easier for visitors to search, and find, frequently asked questions.

Secondly the website is packed with a comprehensive collection of Easy to Follow Gardening Articles which help visitors in most aspects of gardening from pruning to propagation, from how to feed garden birds to building a garden pond.

The Gardening Register Blog was set up in October 2008 as an additional source of information for the visitors to The Gardening Register. The blog is updated every day with Special Offers available from favourite gardening suppliers, Interesting News Items from the world of gardening and highlights from some of our more popular Gardening Articles. The blog will continue to develop with the help of comments from visitors and research into the most popular and relevant gardening issues of the moment.

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• About Us - The Gardening Register Blog is an addition to the very popular gardening website The Gardening Register. It brings the visitor up to date gardening news and the best offers available on gardening products and services as well as free gardening advice online and lots of easy to follow gardening articles. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Wyevale Launch Gardening Club - Wyevale Garden Centres have launched a Gardening club which allows you to earn points every time you shop online or instore and it is FREE. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Suppliers of Gardening Related Products and Services - The Gardening Register have had dealings with a number of well respected suppliers of gardening related products and services and feel it only right that we should pass on the details of these companies. See below for the full list: B & Q – The well established DIY store supplies a wide range of gardening products including Greenhouses, ...
• Bodnant Garden – Snowdonia - Bodnant Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, spanning some 80 acres and is situated above the River Conwy on ground sloping towards the west and looking across the valley towards the Snowdonia range. Share and Enjoy: ...
• RHS Show Cardiff - Here in the UK we have some of the best gardening shows in the world. They are great for getting inspiration for your own garden so why not book to see one or two of these great shows this year. The Royal Horticultural Society 2009 Show Cardiff is on from 17th to 19th ...

I have this extremely leggy and tall China Doll plant. The tops are taller than I am and the "bottoms" are leafless. If I cut it down will I get new growth from the bottom again or will I kill the plant.

Answer:

China Doll (Radermachera sinica) is fairly new as a house plant and can be quite fussy and difficult to grow.

It needs lots of bright light but not direct sunlight so it is best on a north or east facing windowsill. They also prefer a constant temperature of between 65 and 75 degrees away from drafts. Once you have found a place it likes leave it there as they hate to be moved around. These plants often drop their leaves for many reasons including a changes in light or temperature, irregular watering, pests and repotting. If is best to keep this plant pot bound and to prune it regularly to keep the size in check. Water regularly but don’t over water and don’t allow it to dry out completely.

The first thing you need to establish is that the stem is alive; you can do this by gently rubbing your thumbnail over the surface of the stem, if it is green underneath then it is alive, if it is brown and the stem is brittle then I’m afraid it has died. Do this test up the length of the stem to find if, and where it is dead. If it is green to the tip then all is not lost.

The next step is to cut it back to about half it’s current size, it will then begin to grow again from this point. Let it gain some height and prune it every few months to keep it healthy but to allow some slow growth.

Once this is done then follow the care rules above and it should be OK from now on.

• When can I plant Rose Bushes? - When can I plant out my mini rose bushes.Will they be at risk from frost if I plant them now. I live on the Isle of wight so our winters are quite mild. Share and Enjoy: ...
• How do I prune Senecio cineraria? - Is it possible to trim back “silver dust” plants (Senecio cineraria)? Share and Enjoy: ...

They've got FSC certified bird tables and nesting boxes as well as Bird Feeding Stations that are excellent products to attract, feed and water all types of birds. All of these bird products are from the trusted and well known company Tom Chambers.

Tom Chambers Bird Tables

Tom Chambers Thatched Resin Roof Bird Table

The Tom Chambers Thatched Resin Roof Bird Table is crafted from Swedish redwood, with a shaped upright column, heavy duty cross base and thatched roof to make it an attractive feature in your garden. Includes drainage to keep bird feed dry and palatable. Perfect for keeping your garden guests happy.
Our Price £119.99

Tom Chambers Dovesdale Bird Table

This Dovesdale slate roofed bird table range is crafted from Swedish Redwood with genuine slate roofing. The bird table features shaped upright columns and heavy duty cross bases. There is also a drainage facility along the sides of the platform to keep the food dry. This is great for larger gardens.
Our Price £99.99

Tom Chambers Borrowdale Bird Table

The Tom Chambers Borrowdale Bird Table is crafted from Swedish redwood with shaped rims, roof uprights and heavy duty base. Includes drainage facilty to keep bird feed dry and palatable.
Our Price £69.99

Tom Chambers Ultimate Bird Feeding Station

This practical and decorative handcrafted bird care station is the ultimate all-in-one feeding, watering and bathing station for the discerning bird. The ultimate bird station includes a powder coated steel feeder pole (approx 285cm high), 4arm bracket, small bracket, heavy duty fat ball hanger, seed tray, water dish and a double stabiliser to hold your bird station firmly in position.
Our Price £44.99

Tom Chambers Bird Station Obelisk

The Tom Chambers Bird Station Obelisk is an excellent garden feature for feeding and bathing birds. It includes a spiral finial, ring supports, bird feeder hook, water dish, fat ball hooks and large mesh seed tray. Perfect for keeping your garden guests happy.
Our Price £39.99

Tom Chambers Posh Bird Feeding Station with FREE Seed Feeder

This practical and decorative handcrafted bird care station is the poshest all-in-one feeding, watering and bathing station for the discerning bird. The posh bird station includes a powder coated steel feeder pole (approx 285cm high), a double hanging detailed bracket, single bracket with extra small scroll, fat ball hanger, seed tray, water dish and a stabiliser to hold your bird station firmly in position.
Our Price £39.99

Tom Chambers Fat Bird Nesting Box - 32mm

32mm entrance, two colour stain, easy to clean - just unscrew the base. Designed to attract various species such as Tits, Tree Sparrows and Pied Flycatchers. Constructed from sustainable timber. Treated with environmentally friendly wood.
Our Price £13.99

Tom Chambers Bird Station Patio Stand

This powder coated steel heavy duty patio base can be used to support any of the Tom Chambers Bird Station range. This base allows bird stations to be used on a patio or solid surface.
Our Price £16.99

Round Terracotta Bird Pot

Attracting all kinds of wild birds the terracotta bird balls make great nesting sites. There is a built in hook for hanging and a twig for the birds to perch on. The back is open for cleaning and to ensure a close fit to the wall. Available in 3 sizes to accommodate different size birds.
Our Price From £11.99

Tom Chambers Bird Table Accessory Set

This bird table accessory kit is a perfect add-on to our slate roofed bird tables. They can be easily screwed onto the post of your bird table or garden equipment to provide an extra feeding/resting place for your garden birds.
Our Price £9.99

• Do you need to feed the birds? - I have always been a big believer in feeding the garden birds throughout the year. However, I stopped feeding a few months ago as the feeders were attracting vermin. Since then I have only provided saucers of water; they together with the Ivy and other bird loving plants still attract a good number of birds. Share ...
• Big Garden Birdwatch Results! - For the first time in the survey’s 30-year history, the long-tailed tit has flown into the Big Garden Birdwatch top ten Share and Enjoy: ...
• RSPB Gift Membership - If you’re looking for a gift for someone with a love for wildlife and birds, why not give a nature experience that lasts all year round and includes some amazing benefits? Share and Enjoy: ...
• Join the RSPB Today - All new adult and family memberships taken out online by 30 June, can also choose the “RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife” (RRP £9.99) as their free joining gift. This beautifully illustrated new handbook includes over 200 birds, mammals and other wildlife that people may come across in their gardens and also has sections on garden ...
• The Big Garden Birdwatch - The Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s biggest bird survey, providing the RSPB with a vital snapshot of the UK’s birds each winter and it is their 30th birthday over the weekend of 24-25 January. Share and Enjoy: ...

Protect now and spend less next year as your precious firepits, barbecues, benches and tables winter in safely.

Barbecue Covers
Bench Covers
Fire Pit Covers
Parasol Covers
Garden Table and Suite Covers

Hotspot Safety Fire Pit Weather Cover

Protect your Hotspot Safety Fire Pit from the elements with this specially designed weather cover.
Our Price £14.99

Garden Bench Cover

Protect your garden bench with an all-weather garden furniture cover. Made from heavy duty 260g polyester, these covers have been seam-taped for extra strength and are water and UV resistant. All come with pull-ties to hold the cover securely to your furniture.
Our Price From £15.00

Rectangular Table Weather Cover

Protect your garden table with an all-weather cover. Made from heavy duty 260g polyester, these covers have been seam-taped for extra strength and are water and UV resistant. Each comes with pull-ties to hold it securely to your furniture.
Our Price From £20.00

Round Picnic Table Cover

Protect your furniture with these all weather furniture covers. Made from heavy duty 260g polyester, the covers have been seam taped for extra strength and are water/UV resistant. All come with pull ties to hold the cover securely to your furniture.
Our Price £29.99

Alexander Rose Parasol Cover

Alexander Rose breathable covers made from heavy duty polyester will help to protect your garden parasols from the elements. Their breathable design allows the moisture out and stops the rain from getting in. The covers protect furniture from the sun`s damaging UV rays with their unique fabric treatment.

Integral rod to help reach top of parasol when using.
Our Price £15.00

• Special Offers from Raw Garden - Raw Garden have extended their latest offers. Take a look below: Code – AFFPARK1800 Promotion – 10% off Park Picnic Table 1800mm Expires – 16th November 2009 Code – AFFDARWIN1800 Promotion – 10% off Darwin Park Bench 1800mm Expires – 16th November 2009 Code – AFFGZ3809 Promotion – 10% off Steel Framed Gazebos Expires – 16th November 2009 Code ...
• Greenfingers August Offers - Greenfingers.com is one of the web´s leading gardening sites with a host of useful gardening information and a wide selection of products for the garden and outdoor lifestyle. Greenfingers.com has an extensive range of traditional and contemporary garden furniture complemented by innovative and decorative accessories – solar lighting & water features as well as composters, ...
• Now is an ideal time to prevent damage caused by Chafer Grubs - Chafer grubs are the larvae of the chafer beetle. They can cause problems on any grassed area including lawns by feeding on the roots of grass plants. The adults range from 9 to 39 mm in length and have different coloured heads and wings cases. The adults emerge between the end of May and July ...

Raw Garden have extended their latest offers. Take a look below:

Code - AFFPARK1800
Promotion - 10% off Park Picnic Table 1800mm
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFDARWIN1800
Promotion - 10% off Darwin Park Bench 1800mm
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFGZ3809
Promotion - 10% off Steel Framed Gazebos
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFBT3809
Promotion - 10% Off Feeding Stations and Bird Tables
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFGA3809
Promotion - 10% Off Garden Games
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFPARA3809
Promotion - 10% off 2.7m Parasols
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFTUD3809
Promotion - 10% off Tudor Furniture Sets
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFPIC1400
Promotion - 10% off 1400mm Pine Picnic Tables
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFPIC1800
Promotion - 10% off 1800mm Pine Picnic Tables
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFPICH1500
Promotion - 10% off 1500mm Hardwood Picnic Tables
Expires - 16th November 2009

Code - AFFPICH1800
Promotion - 10% off 1800mm Hardwood Picnic Tables
Expires - 16th November 2009

All codes expire - 16th November 2009

• Special Offers from Rolawn - Latest Offers 10% off all orders at rolawndirect.co.uk until 31st October 2009. Enter RD199 as the promotion code to take advantage of this offer. Click the banner above to start shopping! Share and Enjoy: ...
• Garden Furniture Covers from RawGarden - This week Raw Garden feature their huge range of covers for all your garden furniture. Protect now and spend less next year as your precious firepits, barbecues, benches and tables winter in safely. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Greenfingers August Offers - Greenfingers.com is one of the web´s leading gardening sites with a host of useful gardening information and a wide selection of products for the garden and outdoor lifestyle. Greenfingers.com has an extensive range of traditional and contemporary garden furniture complemented by innovative and decorative accessories – solar lighting & water features as well as composters, ...

Blackberry & Apple Jam

MAKES sufficient for 4 x 500ml Preserving Jars

Ingredients

• 1 kg blackberries
• 375g cooking apples, peeled and sliced
• 360ml water
• 1.3kg granulated sugar

Method

1. Prepare the jars by washing in soapy water and rinsing well.
2. Put the blackberries and 180ml of the water in a pan, bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer until soft.
3. Put the apples and the remaining water into a large pan, bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer until soft.
4. Add the sugar and blackberries to the pan of apples and cook over a low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Increase the heat and boil rapidly for 25 minutes, taking care not to allow the mixture to boil over.
5. Reduce the heat and test by placing half a teaspoon of mixture onto a very cold saucer, let it cool and then push with your finger. If the surface crinkles it is ready. If not, boil for a further 5 minutes and test again.
6. Sterilise the jars (not the lids) in boiling water, and fill with jam before they cool down. Leave 1-2cm of space at the top, and immediately place on the wax-seal disc. Position the outer metal band over the disc and tighten.
7. Store in a cool, dry, dark place.

top tip: cooking apples could be substituted with eating apples or windfall apples if you have some to use up.

Hot Hedgerow Chutney

Makes 1kg - approx. five 8oz (227g) jars

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 finely chopped red onions
• 2-3cm finely chopped stem ginger, to taste
• 2 de-seeded, finely chopped large red chillis
• 1kg blackberries
• 90g caster sugar
• 60ml red wine vinegar

Method

1. In a heavy-based saucepan or preserving pan gently heat the olive oil.
2. Add the red onion, ginger and chilli and cook gently for 4-5 minutes until softened.
3. Add the blackberries to the pan and cook for a further 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the caster sugar and red wine vinegar to the mixture and stir well, making sure everything is combined.
5. Bring to the boil, and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until reduced and thickened.
6. Whilst still hot, funnel into hot, sterilised jars. Cover with waxed discs and allow the contents to cool before sealing with a lid.
7. Store for 3 months before eating to help the flavours mature and mellow.

Not managed to pick a kilo of berries? Don't worry, this recipe can easily be halved.

If you are new to preserving or if you just want to replace your current tools I think the best place to buy the products you need is Lakeland. I have been shopping online with Lakeland for years now and their products are always of good quality and they have a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with your goods. Take a look below at Lakeland's range of Preserving Products.

• Calamondin Marmalade - Calamondine is probably the most hardy citrus tree available in the UK and due to it’s small size makes an ideal citrus tree for any home. They also make great Christmas present particularly if they are in fruit. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Looking After Cut Flowers - You may have heard the old wives tale about adding sugar to a vase of cut flowers, so here is how sugar affects cut flowers; basically the sugar is a nutrient and can replace those nutrients lost to the flowers when their leaves have been removed so the old wives tale was correct, add sugar ...
• Protect Plant Roots - Now the weather’s turned much colder it’s a good time to think about protecting plants in your borders. Very tender plants will need to be lifted and stored under cover, however hardier plants and shrubs can be protected by applying a layer of mulch to protect their roots. Weeds should be removed from the borders first, ...
• Feeding Garden Birds - A beautiful, well maintained garden is a wonderful thing but what makes it special is the birds. You can attract birds to your garden throughout the year with very little effort. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Jobs to do in October - Flower/Plants Lift and pot on tender perennials to store indoors Plant spring-flowering bulbs into borders and pots Collect up and compost leaves as they begin to fall Plant evergreen shrubs and hedging, or move any that are growing in the wrong place Pull up annual climbers and cut back untidy perennial climbers Fruit/Vegetables Sow green manure crops in bare spaces Pick apples, pears ...

Is it possible to trim back "silver dust" plants (Senecio cineraria)?

They have grown very big and now over taking a large fern i have in the garden. I would like to tidy them by trimming them back but scared they might die.

Is this possible and what is the best way to do this?

Answer:

It is possible to prune Senecio cineraria but as it is a tender plant I would leave it until the risk of frost has passed in Spring. You may lose the flowers for the year but it will be fine the following year.

Cut out any old, diseased or misshapen stems and reduce the remainder to the size you want. Make sure you cut just above a node or pair of leaves to encourage it to bush out.

• When can I plant Rose Bushes? - When can I plant out my mini rose bushes.Will they be at risk from frost if I plant them now. I live on the Isle of wight so our winters are quite mild. Share and Enjoy: ...
• Caring for China Doll Plant (Radermachera sinica) - I have this extremely leggy and tall China Doll plant. The tops are taller than I am and the “bottoms” are leafless. If I cut it down will I get new growth from the bottom again or will I kill the plant. Share and Enjoy: ...
• When do you sow Phormium Tenax seeds? - I have acquired some phormium tenax seed pods. When can I sow the seed? Share and Enjoy: ...