The best thing to do for your garden now...spring garden tips and tour

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Two questions people often have about mulching are: will covering the earth prevent dormant perennials from growing through? No, it'll be fine. An inch or so of mulch won't make any difference to the emerging plants. Also 'do you have to clear away old mulch?' Once again, no, the worms and micro-organisms in the soil will slowly absorb a layer of organic mulch and improve the soil while they are doing it.

[@DeborahChapin]

I am taking out some of the things that have planted themselves in and are starting to come up first and then I'm gonna put my mulch down because I have too many wildflowers in my bed so I need to send them out some. But everything seems to have come through the winter so we're still having snow here🤦‍♀️ in Maine.

[@lorimiller623]

Also--don't pile up mulch around trees like landscape crews do. Volcano is no bueno!

[@donnabauerofbrilliancebyde1178]

When I go to the garden centers here in the USA their mulches are bark chips. Is that what ya mean? And they are not organic… Please advise

[@ccphysio6578]

I’ve mulched then realised I was counting on self seeded verbenas, sunflowers, fennel and nasturtium to fill in the border 😬 I don’t suppose there’s any chance they’ll come through now? My agastache also died in Dublin after the effort of growing it from seed last year 😢 we had an incredibly wet July and January with a little bit of cold. I’m not sure my rudebeckias or catmints are coming back this year either 😬 should I leave the twigs in the ground and see if there’s any life in April or May?

[@user-uf1yn2hn1q]

I thought that ‘mulch’ and compost were different things and dad different purposes. Mulch bark to cover soil and compost to improve soil.

[@patriciakumar115]

I've been watching your channel for about a year without comment. Shame on me. Your content is always so informative, valuable, and interesting. I simply love your quiet, knowledgeable manner. Thank you for sharing your incredible experiences with us.

[@gillian417]

I second this. Thank you for your much needed content.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@janereel1903]

The sight of Ozzie doing zoomies in the background as you talk on camera is the best! I no longer have a dog, but they're delightful. I gave my garden over to any dog so sometimes the lillies got broken, etc. Hehehe Great early spring video!

[@fennecfox8623]

“…and well, that’s gardening - it makes a gap for something new” Never a truer word said and such a good way of looking at it! 😊

[@anneconoulty4722]

Loved that comment as I always feel so disappointed when things don’t work. I must adopt this positive attitude. Thank you Alexandra

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, both

[@Rina-rs6up]

❤You are my favorite English Gardener Thank you for sharing your wisdom .You're an inspiration to this old Gardener in Oregon...USA

[@gryl7471]

She's my fave, too! And I'm also an Oregonian.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, both!

[@janereel1903]

Wanted to add that I'm so glad you did an update on your front meadow-lawn. It looks great. I've followed your journey and I appreciate what you've learned and the decisions you've made along the way.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@JoannaLouise200]

The wonderful display of Spring blooms in your garden is absolutely stunning Alexandra. Love all the beautiful colours, textures & forms ~ like the prettiest of tapestries, so cheering & uplifting! 🌷🌼🌺🌹🌸🥀

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@LifeHomeandGardenwithAnaRica]

Thank you for a very helpful video. I always enjoy watching your garden.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@annriding2885]

Another excellent video, thank you so much Alexandra. I’ve been following you for a couple of years and not yet said how much I enjoy them, so I thought it’s about time I told you that they always give me a lift and make me feel better about life. You are practical and positive and give me new ideas for my garden. And I love how you show the successes and the failures, that’s so helpful. Also I’m VERY impressed at how well you edit your films. They’re always full of useful information, well researched - and no waffle! And by the way, your garden looks beautiful. I love the repeating white theme. Thank you for sharing, it’s much appreciated. I tell all my gardening friends about your videos. ❤️🌱🌸🌿🌺🐦‍⬛🐝

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much and for noticing the editing. I love doing it because I think it helps tell the story better, but it was tough to learn!

[@thegonzalezs4953]

Hello , I been a follower for awhile, all the way from Ohio USA, I just want to mention, I think mulch in UK is a compost , here and USA , if you say mulch , is the wood chips , the ones you can get in bags or you can get it from tree trimmers company. I hope whoever is watching can see the difference.

[@clairemcconway6266]

mulch can be any organic matter. The choice depends on what you have available and what suits your climate as well as the plants you are putting it on. Mulching is also a verb and here, Alexandra is talking about mulching (with compost). I mulch with compost, aged horse manure and woodchip depending on the plants and the location. Woodchip doesn't work so well if you have a lot of perennial plants that will be coming up in spring, as it can rot the crowns.

[@thegonzalezs4953]

@@clairemcconway6266 thank you , that’s very good to know, now is time to compost all my scraps and anything organic I can think of .

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes, mulch here can be compost, woodchips, composted bark, well rotted manure, straw and even hard things like gravel. I try to explain it when I mention mulching because I think there are different interpretations around the world, and thank you for raising that.

[@thegonzalezs4953]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you for all the videos . Always watching from Ohio

[@kt9495]

I planted Salvia late last summer. They bloomed and died back in the winter. Then I noticed they reseeded in the raised bed I planted them in and now have completely covered it. Waiting on blooms! Your yard looks lovely, thanks for the tips. I also inherited daffodils and snowdrops from the previous resident. They’ve done so well I’d like to plant more. 🌱

[@anneconoulty4722]

Very timely video for me as I’m just beginning to do some work again in the garden,the ground in North London is so soggy still,I’m a little afraid of standing in the borders for long. Thank u as usual, a mulching I will go!!!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

No better cure for soggy soil than mulching! It must stop raining soon????

[@giennefarcais6834]

Another great video! They seem to get better and better. And how your dog has grown! What a beautiful friend to garden with.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! Yes, he has grown massively but hoping he's full size now.

[@meredith3588]

Love seeing the tour of your beautiful garden. We are having an early spring with sufficient rain and warm temps in Georgia, USA. (I know I really like someone who, even though they are busy conversing, still talks to and pets their dog.) Ozzie is still in that puppy stage, ours quieted down with correction and age and is my planting companion. Still digs for chipmonks, though.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

We are quite looking forward to the 'calming down' though the puppy stage is so sweet.

[@cathybranly1839]

It looks so lovely. The brick wall surrounding the garden gives it such a timeless quality. Thanks for all the good tips. We just finished adding compost to our flower beds yesterday.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@barbkenas5663]

Love Ozzie, too funny! Great video as usual!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much!

[@flowerpixel]

I love comfrey! It's a beautiful plant

[@suetulloch2138]

Thanks for the video, really honest and helpful advice as always, ground elder is such a pain isn't it! I've planted eurybia divaricata, a white wood aster that likes shade. It does smother weeds but it has spread like asters do, but I'm hopeful it can be controlled! Looks like Ossie is still full of puppy mischief ❤

[@idreamtiwasbackatmanderley414]

Regarding your kitchen garden, there is something in France in the Charentes area (La Rochelle) called ganivelle, it’s chicken wire and long thin pickets made of chestnut (because it doesn’t rot). The pickets/wire can be as tall as you want and the picket spacing is also up to you. It looks very nice in a coastal way, does not draw the eye and is quite efficient unless Ozzie chooses to catapult into it.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'll look out for it, thank you!

[@SpanishEclectic]

Thank you for the tour, and honest sharing of what works and what doesn't. Our climate was too dry for King Palms, which eventually died, but my two young olive trees are happy and up to the roof with very little care. Your dog is so funny, eating grass and running around. I have containers with white Thalia daffodils planted six years ago; they've been blooming for a month. In San Diego we're on the edge of this year's atmospheric rivers, but that's still more rain than we've had for 15 years. With salvias you might consider putting them in containers with soil amendments like sand or perlite so they drain better, and sink the containers into your borders. We have clay soil, so this has worked well. Also, if you expect a hard frost, they could be pulled out and put under shelter.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, that's interesting.

[@juliabinford6500]

Your last couple of years have been similar to my normal climate here in the Pacific Northwest. Many perennials don’t like the consistently cool wet soil in winter. I’m moving toward annuals and flowering shrubs. Iris, crocosmia, daylillies, columbine seem to like it wet.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm waiting to see what has survived this last winter, we've had 290% rainfall!

[@thedave7029]

Thanks Alexandra... as always for the wonderful video. Have an amazing weekend best wishes from Liverpool I've just started my own garden channel not as a good as yours but it's nice to look back on as the years go by

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, and good luck with the channel. I've found growing a channel to be as interesting as gardening (though they are definitely two different skills) so I hope you enjoy it!

[@thedave7029]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thank you. I can only try... and aspire ... 🙂 as for learning editing... that is a steep curve. All the best.

[@little_miss_muffet]

Aren’t hellebores marvellous? The star of the show at this time of year ❤

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

They are!

[@Darveolsen]

Simply love your videos💚

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@cerridwencottagediary9194]

I am in Wales and though we are used to the wet it has been especially so. I can no longer grow Penstemon, Nepeta,Lavender and Thyme outside. It makes it so difficult to know what to grow as in recent years we have had periods of drought followed by floods and few plants are happy in both those conditions

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Us, too. All really confusing for gardeners.

[@annashiegl]

love your idea to plant comfrey. I have ground elder too, I'm wondering does the comfrey overpower the ground elder or does it still need to be pulled out? Love your videos, thank you, only complaint, they're too short 😊😅

[@irenehannington6276]

Thanks

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you - I really appreciate the support.

[@lisamorris4232]

Thanks for sharing the candid ups and downs of gardening with helpful suggestions for us. Sorry about your losses. We have no control over the weather. On the plus side, that glimpse of the magnolia was beautiful! Looking forward to see how you fill your spaces.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much

[@HannaARTzink]

In the winter survival I suspect often the size and condition of the root clump is that what often matters. Yes, renewal IS a risky process.

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Good morning Alexander, so nice to see you talking in your own garden, which is looking lovely. Good advice re perennials and I must research your discussion on daffodils. They are so welcome for Spring time. The weather has been very demanding in many parts of the world, I thought it is just us in S. Africa that is experiencing harsh conditions, but no, even Australia had problems. Big storm clouds would appear and by-pass our area and download hail etc. so, do not always complain when you do not get the long awaited downpours there is a reason for it. We are now well into our Autumn season, the weather is so lovely, much cooler from 32 deg. to 25 deg. I am sure we will also get much more rain before winter which it might just rain once or twice in the winter season. Well, we have choices, enjoy gardening or get in a gardening service, regardless of all the ups and downs, gardening is good for your soul. Do take care, kind regards, Elize.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Nice to hear from you - yes, we are certainly getting 'unpredictable' weather all over the world!

[@estherhanko1457]

Don't give up on your salvia's and agastaches yet! I also thought mine died as we had a similar autumn and winter in the Netherlands but am seeing tiny green shoots emerging from the ground near where my Amistads were

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Fingers crossed. I am really hoping!

[@UmiAnanda]

Ozzie is just as excited for the spring season as all of us! Thanks for sharing such awesome info.🌱

[@joannmicik1924]

Many of the showy salvias are not hardy in my garden (Hot Lips, Black and Blue, Amistad) but I've been experimenting by lifting them into pots in the fall and placing them under the eaves of the house where it is drier and a bit warmer. We had a spell of very very frigid weather when I brought them in to the unheated garage. I keep them only barely watered, very dry. So far (3rd year) this is working well. It's a bit more work, but less expense than replacing them. I am Zone 6, in the US.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

That's a good thought, it's quite a blow to lose all my salvias!

[@sylso]

Thanks so much for this lovely video ! Best wishes from Cologne, germany 😊

[@radieschen1965]

Liebe Grüße von Saarbrücken nach Köln 🤗

[@sylso]

@@radieschen1965 😃👍

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@inspiringgardenkorner]

I so love your channel and the information you provide is so helpful to me in my garden journey

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you so much!

[@Jpatmeadowbrook]

Hello Alexandria, i’m watching hour video while we are getting getting 3-4”of cold rain. You look great. I’m sure Aussie keeps you busy. He looks like a great, loving dog. I put several strings with loops on the ends that easily detach from posts with tea cup hooks around my garden to keep my dogs out yet I can get access. I Enjoyed this info tour!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Interersting and thank you!

[@kathyzakharyuk8050]

Like always, great helpful info delivered in an entertaining way :)

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@clairemcconway6266]

Comfrey is wonderful. If you want to avoid it spreading everywhere you can use the sterile Bocking hybrids, they only grow from root and stem cuttings and don't spread via seed. They do grow tall though and can be challenging to get rid of if you ever want to move them to a different location. I cut mine back in summer after the bees have finished with the flowers.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good idea to cut back, I'd noticed a few more flowers appearing so perhaps a good cut back could mean a second flowering

[@geraldinefields1730]

Thank you.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You're welcome!

[@dorothylaplante7243]

Thank you so much for sharing your gardening wisdom. You have helped me so much with my garden.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You are so welcome

[@jefftaplin6544]

Greetings from across the pond! Another excellent video and I think your pup is absolutely adorable-and lovely to see him in the videos❤️

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you

[@adullig]

I live just outside Boston, USA, with much colder winters than you have. I love agastache and grow many of them. Try ‘black adder’ or ‘blue fortune’ agastache, they are much more robust than blue boa. The golden jubilee korean agastache is also tough and self seeds (but not aggressively), and it tolerates more shade. The little goldfinches here love to eat the seeds in the fall. Blue boa is lovely with those dense calixes, but fussy. It does self seed a bit also though, so keep your eye out for seedlings and you may get it back.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, I will take your advice, and I think I may have a golden korean somewhere (also looking dead) but perhaps it will revive.

[@adullig]

You’re so very welcome! I really enjoy your videos. We also had a wet winter but I can see sprouts at the base of those three. I won’t know until probably late April if I’ve lost other things, though. Spring comes slowly here.

[@fampirella]

The garden looks gorgeous 😍 thank you for posting and sharing, as always. Greetings from northern California.

[@shamsjaffer15]

Thank you Alexandra for another amazing video 🙏🏻💐

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@barbaracole4314]

Glad to hear that daffodils last forever cuz I've planted many and plan to keep planting more each yr, they are doing so well this spring , it is raining buckets here in far northern CA

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Raining buckets here still, too.

[@debs-more-plants]

I love your garden! So beautiful and real! ❤

[@janeenclark8728]

Thanks for sharing your gardens and knowledge! Much appreciated. Thanks from Michigan USA😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@susanwhite1641]

Lovely garden, hope to see more of it this year. Thank you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, I never know whether people would like to see more of my garden or more of gardens I've visited.

[@susanwhite1641]

Your garden please 🌿

[@Garricher5958]

Tulips are difficult here as well in NC Zone 7b/8a. They really do better in the northern tier states. There are companies that chill the bulbs before you purchase, but it boils down to being an annual planting if you want them in your garden here reliably. Love Ozzie running in the background.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree, I think they're annual in lots of places. Ozzie is a joy, although he does eat everything.

[@beckycook4569]

Excellent content, I'd like to try several of the plants. And you are looking good as well!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@theginghamgirl6970]

Very helpful thank you

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marylynnhaynes7558]

Really appreciate your videos. Keep them coming 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you like them!

[@thegreenwoodelf8014]

Thank you for your amazing content Alexander 🙏🏻 I've found the quickest most sure way of getting rid of ground elder, on smaller patches, is to treat it like contaminated soil. I take the top 15-20cm of soil, or however deep the root run is, and escort it off the property. Then spot dig out any escapees as they pop up, never pulling off the leaves from above ground, and always following that little white root down into its subterranean hideout. The young leaves are a great salad addition... more like celery than celery. For larger patches I have wondered if Devonshireing may work🤔

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Yes I think that can work well - I've seen it done by others and I did have a patch that I asked someone to dig out for me. I rather love following that little white root.

[@mischabbs5705]

Another great video, thank you so much,Alexandra, and greetings from Vienna!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@jaqmackie]

Good to know daffodils are okay in the soaking ground. Sorry to hear you lost quite a few plants :(

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@estella2007]

I love your channel and have been watching for years, but it's been a while since I've looked in. Did I miss a video where you explain about switching the center lavender in your partere for the pergola/trellis? I love your beautiful garden and your garden wisdom and the field trips

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! The pergola switch is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5StlougpLuDars

[@lorimiller623]

Some plants that have done well on my hot, dry corner in central Indiana where we have freezing, wet winters: Missouri goldenrod, Husker's red penstemon, onyx and pearls penstemon, lance-leaf coreopsis, and golden alexanders. But golden alexanders spread prolifically by seed and lance-leaf coreopsis get powdery mildew here. Tennessee coneflower, in all-day sun next to the driveway, does very well.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'll look out for those!

[@amyjones2490]

Tulips in my garden are magnets for varmints. I think I’ll stick to daffodils for my spring color and of course hellebores. It’s definitely a challenge finding plants that thrive in our climate. There are nice annuals one can save seed from for filling in gaps in the border. My favorite is single flowered dahlia. No need to worry about saving tubers just save their seed and start in spring for a great summer display.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Those dratted varmints. Tulips very variable in my garden.

[@lindamurns1245]

Man ! I really like the look of the pagoda!!! I loved the other look however the new look is amazing!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thanks so much!!

[@user-cz9mx4km5h]

Thank you for an excellent video.

[@carolinaop5641]

For your vegetable beds and Ozzi, have you thought of building a structure similar to the ones they have in the US, to keep deer off their vegetables? You could create it with wooden posts and mesh, and it should be able to keep Ozzi off. If he doesn't try to go in, you could pick 1 vegetable for him as a treat. He'll learn though :) Thank you for this update and your tips 💚

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

My brother in law has built an amazing one in Australia, though I'd prefer fencing if I can. I was also thinking that a combation of fencing and cloches might work.

[@wildweeds]

My daffodils are just now producing buds and my tulips are not too far along. My garden is at an elevation of 6840 feet in the southern Sierra Nevada. It snowed a bit this morning and I made a short update showing the progress (or lack thereof) this morning.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Bulbs seem to well in mountains, so I hope you get a good display.

[@rosmitton2202]

I keep trying with Salvia Amistad and agastache too. I love them both but if they don’t grow back - again - this year I fear I will have to give up on them. (Hertfordshire)

[@sunitashastry5270]

Agastache and salvia need it very well drained. You have to make a spot with poor, dry, well drained soil and plant them there. I have the same problem with Agastache and butterfly weed - they do not survive our wet springs in the Midwest. I like your flower meadow experiment. It’s certainly better than having a small lawn with no diversity.

[@melissaschloneger9902]

Salvia can grow well in the Midwest USA if you choose 3 things properly: 1) type of salvia - some are able to withstand deep cold and burst out in the spring and can have a second bloom late in the summer. The reds and pinks are usually annuals in the midwest and cant handle the cold. I grow them from seed. 2) Well draining soil, almost sandy 3) heat and sun in the summer I love different types of salvia and have started doing cuttings of the perennial blues, to try and propagate more of those plants for less cost

[@19cassiopeia]

Dear Alexandra, you mentioned that it is hard to keep tulip bulbs for the next year. I have lost so many tulip bulbs because of squirrels and foxes, I have started using chicken wire to protect them. Is there any other reason why tulips don't come back well next year? Also, please make a video on what bulbs to put where, how to save them from foxes and other animals and what winter care they may need. Many thanks for your wonderful videos.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! I think one problem with tulips is that they can rot away in the ground, or just not come back. They are just harder to grow successfully so it's not just the squirrels and foxes. There's a lot to be said for growing your tulips in fresh compost in pots every year and placing them in gaps in the border, although even tulips in pots need some wire over them until they start to sprout. The squirrels and foxes lose interest after that.

[@paulotto2475]

I wouldn’t give up on Agastache Blue Boa. It always goes underground in Northern Idaho, and comes up late.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Ooh, I hope I might be in for an unexpected surprise.

[@maryanna6302]

My thought: Fence just one bed for veg and cutting garden on the rest. Chicken wire worked for me but many more better looking types of fence would probably be easy to pickup new or used. Your garden looks tremendous 💚

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you, yes, I'm thinking some fencing but not needed everywhere. Also maybe cloches.

[@francineh.7825]

Such a beautiful garden you have! Ozzie made me laugh 😅

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you! Most of the time I didn't notice him until I edited the film and then I did laugh.

[@gerrywouters84]

I love the info you give or let others give, much better than those garden programs on tv. The problem I have with bulbs is that they never multiply, in fact they even do the opposit. The next year only a few show up and the year beyond that im lucky if one even shows up. I have heard that here inBelgium the bulbs we buy are manipulated so they die after a few seasons. I ordered bulbs from Holland last year but now they also are less in the second year. I have sandy soil but I add compost when planted and on top seasonal. Im hopeless about it

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oh dear. Well, if the bulbs are manipulated that's definitely not your fault. Have you tried buying organic daffodil bulbs? They shouldn't have been treated.

[@gerrywouters84]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden I haven’t thought about that, ill have to look out for those. Thank you for replying

[@jessies6193]

I love the idea of using comfrey to supress ground elder, I will definitley be trying that. Do you think it would work the same way to combat three cornered leeks (Allium triquetrum)??!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

You could give it a try. It just depends which plant is better and occupying the space with its roots, thus depriving its rival of anywhere to grow.

[@LoriSavingWild]

love your new dog. Please introduce him/her.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Will do. He hasn't been going in front of the camera much until now, but he certainly decided to be the star of the show this time.

[@nicolasbertin8552]

One thing I find incredibly difficult in spring is weeding. Because weeds grow tall, and you don't see some of the late sprouting perennials. So often you might end up pulling them out... Asters for example have foliage that is similar to a common weed I have in my garden, so it's a nightmare. And since I have young ornemental grasses, same thing, I might end up yanking them out by mistake... So for that there is a forest of marking sticks to remind me there's a perennial here and there, but that ends up being incredibly ugly... I just have no choice, it's a community garden, without the sticks, people would weed a whole area and just destroy absolutely everything... By the way, I wished people would stop saying compost and manure improve the structure of the soil because it's simply not true... The reason is simple, what you're applying in the video is mature compost, it's already been broken down. It will not feed soil life, it will not be attached to the mineral components of the soil by soil life. Unlike when you put fresh organic matter like wood chips, straw or hay. Another myth is that compost holds water. Again, it's not true at all if it's mature. It drains water like crazy, a lot more than normal soil.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I agree about the similarity of some plants to weeds, it's very difficult.

[@paulineellison9047]

a nice picked fence + gate to stop dog getting on veg beds

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Good idea, I'll add that to my list of possibles.

[@isabelledelacotardiere9230]

Hi Alexandra, I have a question about mulching: you say it may prevent weeds, but might it not prevent my dormant perennials to grow? I haven't done it for fermae of smothering my plants 😮 but I know I can be shy in the garden (I am exactly the same with pruning😢) I need a bit of reassuring 😊

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Don't worry, the dormant perennials will push up - and it's a question people often ask, so I should have mentioned it!

[@pansepot1490]

I confirm: your perennials will only benefit from a layer of mulch. You only have to pay attention if the perennials have already emerged and started leafing. Don’t cover the leaves with mulch. If you mulch earlier in the season when they are dormant, as Alexandra said, they will have no problem pushing through.

[@mikeadamson6696]

Hello Alexandra , making a compost box is asking for trouble for me as Foxes dig for worms . They have even started to dig close to the roots of my Myrobolan plum because its been wet during this winter .

[@LoriSavingWild]

Hi, What species is that large euphorbia you have on the right of the comfrey area? Every garden you visit seems to have this euphorbia.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Thank you!

[@tyeteames7192]

❤

[@heliotropezzz333]

I don't know whether you've done a video about compost bins. We had a very cheap thin tacky plastic compost bin that bulged out of shape so the lid would not cover the top completely, but it attracted red worms and composted brilliantly and quickly. I replaced it with a wooden one that looked like a beehive (much more attractive looking) but it proved to be terrible at composting. Nothing ever seemed to compost down or reduce in bulk. The only benefit was that for a few years it attracted some nesting bumble bees. I don't know why the former bin was so good and the latter so bad at composting. What advice do you have about compost bins?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I've always found the bins quite fiddly so we have quite big open ones. However, if you don't have space, then that's not so practical. There is a system called Hotbin, which is a large plastic bin that composts at a very high temperature so you can also put food waste in it. You do have to follow certain composting rules and I'm more of a 'bung it in' person. But for a confined space, if you are good at following instructions, a Hotbin could be a good answer.

[@heliotropezzz333]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thank you. Very helpful.

[@LouciferFlump]

I’m concerned about mulching at the minute coz it’s been so extremely wet. As we know, mulches help retain moisture - insert joke here - because my heavy clay is currently absolutely sodden!!!! The *last* thing it needs now is to “retain moisture”! I really want it to dry out coz some of my plants are looking stressed from being too waterlogged. Should I mulch now anyway or do you think I should hold off mulching until we’ve a decent dry spell? There’s more rain forecast this week!!! 😫 Btw, your Magnolia tree in the backdrop! Good heavens it’s fabulous!!!!🥰

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Oddly enough the mulch also helps it absorb water better, so go ahead and mulch. Just layer it on top and let the worms do the digging for you. The magnolia tree is so lovely, it's in my neighbour's garden.

[@LouciferFlump]

@@TheMiddlesizedGardenok I’m trusting you….I’m going a-mulching….🙋🏻‍♀️

[@FireflyOnTheMoon]

Use Boking comfrey - it doesn't spread. Fence off the veg area with a tall corten fence

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Corten is lovely, I'll think about that

[@rosmitton2202]

I’d be interested to know what you plant in place of the Salvia Amistad and Agastache? I’m facing the same decision. Wondering about Baptisia, Penstemon, Centaurea (for purple flowers and blue flowers) but will they be any better?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I'm considering treating the salvias as annuals and simply replacing them as they do flower for a very long time. I'm sad about the agastache, though. Penstemon would probably be the most reliable choice.

[@isabelledelacotardiere9230]

Hi Alexandra, I need your help. Or rather I need comforting 😢 My garden is in our holiday house, which means that I only come every six or eight weeks except for the summer when I 'm there for the 2 whole months (I am a teacher 😅) I planted new plants in November (grasses, gauras and salvias, as well as a few rubeckias and hardy geraniums) the thing is, in February weeds had started to grow and I couldn't distinguish between the vegetative plants and the weeds. I thought that in April for our Easter break, things would be clearer. How wrong I wasb😢 it's worse. The weeds have now taken over and the new plants haven't started their growth yet. I realise it's still too early. Although I can weed the grass and dandelions, there are weeds that I don't recognise (to my horror I have just realised that buttercups have a very similar foliage to hardy geraniums, which makes me evermn more confused...) what should I do?? Remove just what I recognise and wait? (At the risk of finding things even worse when I come back in June) Be drastic at the risk of pulling out good plants? Call a professional? Really at the moment I feel totally discouraged and I could cry of desperation...I am a useless gardener I'm afraid 😢

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Ah we've all been there , don't worry. See if you can find a professional gardener you can pay by the hour to teach you about weeds and weeding. Photograph the weeds on your phone so you remember and it will be all right in the end I promise!

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

The professional gardener needs to weed alongside you in your garden, that's the best way to learn

[@isabelledelacotardiere9230]

Thank you Alexandra! I have a gardener that I have used for the occasional "heavy lifting" but unfortunately I don't think he deserves the adjective "professional" he accidentally did some weeding in my flower bed (he was supposed to do it at my mother's who live nextdoor but for some reasons understood it was supposed to be at mine) and he did even more damage than I would. Basically all that remained were the shrubs and the very well implanted perennials with easily identiable foliage... I think you have more of a gardening culture in Britain. Here in France, anyone that can trim hedges can proclaim themselves "professional gardeners". You find landscaping companies but they are more interested in digging swimming pools than teaching you how to garden properly... I have to keep trying my hardest and hope for the best. Thanks nonetheless for your kind words. I think everything will improve when I live here full time. Then I will be able to keep things in check.

[@Flower_hoarder]

🪴🌱🌳ALWAYS INFORMATIVE‼️🌳🌱🪴

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Glad you think so!

[@donaldthomson9411]

Couldn’t you just adopt the peg and rope tactic with Ossie ? That way he has some freedom but not enough to eat everything in your raised beds.

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Not sure he would like that very much. When he grows up, he's more likely to stick to rules (provided we do actually impose them), so I think low fencing may be OK. If not, poss fruit cages.

[@brefnejowers9747]

Hi Alexandra, can I check - are you saying the comfrey suppresses the remaining ground elder?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

Once there were only a few tiny roots of ground elder, the comfrey was able to take over, and leave no space for the ground elder to grow. I don't think I'd had the same effect if I'd planted the comfrey before removing the ground elder.

[@brefnejowers9747]

@@TheMiddlesizedGarden thank you

[@northwalescoast7911]

👍🏻

[@RoseMary-vs3io]

💚👍

[@elizabetheastham7576]

Knit bone. Great for sprains. BUT where can I buy it?

[@TheMiddlesizedGarden]

I've been given roots by a friend, as it spreads easily. But sometimes you can find it in local garden sales. You should be able to buy seeds of some kind...good luck.