Ants are an often-misunderstood creature in the garden and are part of the living landscape. Whilst they aerate the soil and help decompose organic matter, their presence can sometimes become a little too prominent. Whether ants are nesting under paving slabs or farming aphids on your blooms, there are natural ways to limit [...]

The post Managing ants in the garden – the eco-friendly way appeared first on David Domoney.

There’s something almost magical about the globe-like blooms of alliums, hovering like fireworks above the border. But what happens when your allium plants invest in forming a bud, only for it to never open? I’ve seen this frustrating scenario time and time again. Unlike a bulb, which never blooms, this issue indicates the [...]

The post Why your allium buds aren’t opening and how to help them bloom appeared first on David Domoney.

Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops to grow. Especially when you’re picking juicy fruits straight from your own greenhouse or garden. But to keep your plants healthy and productive, it’s important to manage their leafy growth, particularly at the base. One proven technique is removing the lower leaves. It may seem [...]

The post Why you should remove lower leaves from tomato plants appeared first on David Domoney.

There’s no greater sight when you look at your fruit bearing trees to see them laden with fruit. It’s one of the joys of growing fruit in your garden. But natural drop or windy conditions can sometimes lead to a mass of fallen apples, that are rotten or bruised. So, what do you [...]

The post What to do with a mass of rotting fallen apples appeared first on David Domoney.

Honey fungus is one of the most common root diseases in the world. There are seven different species of honey fungus found in the UK. Of which two are the most common, Armillaria mellea and A.gallica. Armillarias are long-lived, the largest known cluster covering nearly four-square miles. This is the equivalent of over sixteen hundred [...]

The post A pest & disease guide to: Honey Fungus appeared first on David Domoney.

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease commonly found on a wide variety of plants that can adversely affect their growth and health.  What is powdery mildew Firstly, there are several different types of this disease, (Erysiphaceae spp.,) all closely related. And all produce the same powdery effect on the surface of fruit and [...]

The post A pest & disease guide to: Powdery Mildew appeared first on David Domoney.

Sometimes, removing trees is an essential need for your garden space. Once the tree has been cut down, however, it is best, if you can, to remove the stump and tree roots too. Find out some of the best methods to do so safely and effectively. Trees are wonderful to have to [...]

The post How do I remove tree roots and stumps from the garden? appeared first on David Domoney.

The rose is England’s national flower and much loved throughout the U.K. and rest of the world but sadly they can be badly affected by a persistent disease called black spot. Read my guide to find out more about black spot on roses. What is black spot on roses? Black [...]

The post A pest & disease guide to: Black spot on roses appeared first on David Domoney.