GARDENING: Brian Kidd answers your questions

Our horticultural hotshot delves into his inbox.
You can compost the shreddings in this box.You can compost the shreddings in this box.
You can compost the shreddings in this box.

Q: I bought an electric appliance which came in a huge box packed with shredded paper. Is this any good for the garden? NC, Denvilles.

A:  Add it to your compost bin. Put a four-inch layer on the top, then a box of grass mowings. Repeat until the shreddings are gone. Keep the bin moist using one part urine to seven parts water, sprinkled not poured.

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Q: I had an e-mail from a firm advertising rhubarb which can be picked for nine months. What do you think? FD, Emsworth.

A: I have never known anyone who pulls rhubarb for this long, but I know good gardeners can force rhubarb and have written about it over the years. If you decide to buy a plant don't expect miracles and you certainly won't get a good crop in the first year. It takes two years before a good crop is possible. When planting use a huge amount of well-rotted manure.

Q: I am very fond of baby spinach and buy cellophane bags of it when it is in stock at our supermarket. I have lovely soil in my garden and wonder if it would grow here? EL, Waterlooville.

A: Your letter arrived just in time. Baby spinach can be sown directly into open ground next week. See if you can find a variety called Cello F1 Hybrid, bred for baby leaves.

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Q: How and when should I prune my dwarf hebes? MT, Cowplain.

A: Prune as soon as the flowers have faded. They can be pruned quite hard and the important thing to bear in mind is to keep a good shape. New growths will probably produce an array of flowers in the autumn. Give them a feed of Maxicrop Complete plant food after pruning.'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹

Got a question for Brian? Click here and fire away.'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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