I live in Spain and have been growing three beautiful honeydew melons, they are quite large and starting to ripen but to my horror this morning I found that one has started to split, what can I do?

Answer:

I have done a bit of research and it seems that they are being over watered once they are ripe. You should harvest the fruits as soon as the end furthest from the stalk gives a little when pressed. At this stage you should cut down on the watering and allow the compost to become drier than normal. Over watering at this stage will cause the fruits to split.

• Cordyline - Question:Cordyline approx 10 feet in height, flowered once 3 years ago. Last year it split into 3 branches. This year 2 branches are flowering. PROBLEM!! We have had it from 6 inches high in the same spot to the rear of a trellis fence which has a rowan type tree the other side tied into ...
• Magnolia - Question:I have just bought a magnolia plant and would like advice on planting it out, my garden gets sunlight for about 8 hrs a day then it is shaded from 3.00pm.Answer:Magnolias prefer full sun but are OK with some shade so it should do well in your garden. The best time to plant is in ...
• Yellow Squash - Question:We would like to know more about growing yellow squash.Answer:I am actually based in England so I have found the attached article which may help you. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/ssquash1.html Share and Enjoy: ...
• Onions - Question:I am growing onions for the 1st time, they are now starting to produce flower heads, and do I need to deflower them for bigger bulbs?Answer:Generally onions should not flower and if they do they tend to produce smaller onions. Remove the flowers now and hope that they have not been affected too badly. Share and ...
• Alchemilla - Question:We have just moved house and the garden seems to be overrun with Alchemilla, can you please tell me how I can get rid of most of it, I do know it self seeds and it’s just starting to come into flower. There is a lot of ivy growing between the plants that needs removingAnswer:You ...

I have white grubs about 5mm long eating my beans and other roots the ground has been grass for many years what can I do please

Answer:

I would need a little more information to correctly identify the grub in question. Alternatively, here is a link to the BBC's pest identifier. Just answer the questions as they appear and it should find the grub. http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/advice/pests_and_diseases/

• Magnolia - Question:I have just bought a magnolia plant and would like advice on planting it out, my garden gets sunlight for about 8 hrs a day then it is shaded from 3.00pm.Answer:Magnolias prefer full sun but are OK with some shade so it should do well in your garden. The best time to plant is in ...
• Cordyline - Question:Cordyline approx 10 feet in height, flowered once 3 years ago. Last year it split into 3 branches. This year 2 branches are flowering. PROBLEM!! We have had it from 6 inches high in the same spot to the rear of a trellis fence which has a rowan type tree the other side tied into ...
• Yellow Squash - Question:We would like to know more about growing yellow squash.Answer:I am actually based in England so I have found the attached article which may help you. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/ssquash1.html Share and Enjoy: ...
• Alchemilla - Question:We have just moved house and the garden seems to be overrun with Alchemilla, can you please tell me how I can get rid of most of it, I do know it self seeds and it’s just starting to come into flower. There is a lot of ivy growing between the plants that needs removingAnswer:You ...
• Onions - Question:I am growing onions for the 1st time, they are now starting to produce flower heads, and do I need to deflower them for bigger bulbs?Answer:Generally onions should not flower and if they do they tend to produce smaller onions. Remove the flowers now and hope that they have not been affected too badly. Share and ...

We would like to know more about growing yellow squash.

Answer:

I am actually based in England so I have found the attached article which may help you. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/ssquash1.html

• Honeydew Melons - Question:I live in Spain and have been growing three beautiful honeydew melons, they are quite large and starting to ripen but to my horror this morning I found that one has started to split, what can I do?Answer:I have done a bit of research and it seems that they are being over watered once they ...
• Pest on Beans - Question:I have white grubs about 5mm long eating my beans and other roots the ground has been grass for many years what can I do pleaseAnswer:I would need a little more information to correctly identify the grub in question. Alternatively, here is a link to the BBC’s pest identifier. Just answer the questions as they ...
• Magnolia - Question:I have just bought a magnolia plant and would like advice on planting it out, my garden gets sunlight for about 8 hrs a day then it is shaded from 3.00pm.Answer:Magnolias prefer full sun but are OK with some shade so it should do well in your garden. The best time to plant is in ...
• Onions - Question:I am growing onions for the 1st time, they are now starting to produce flower heads, and do I need to deflower them for bigger bulbs?Answer:Generally onions should not flower and if they do they tend to produce smaller onions. Remove the flowers now and hope that they have not been affected too badly. Share and ...
• Alchemilla - Question:We have just moved house and the garden seems to be overrun with Alchemilla, can you please tell me how I can get rid of most of it, I do know it self seeds and it’s just starting to come into flower. There is a lot of ivy growing between the plants that needs removingAnswer:You ...

We have just moved house and the garden seems to be overrun with Alchemilla, can you please tell me how I can get rid of most of it, I do know it self seeds and it's just starting to come into flower. There is a lot of ivy growing between the plants that needs removing

Answer:

You will need to pull up the plants you no longer require. If you want to keep some of the plants, enjoy the flowers but remove them before they begin to set seed. If you are worried you may miss them then remove them now. You will find that they will stop seeding if you can remember to remove the flowers each year. Ivy can be pulled up and removed at any time but ensure you remove all the roots as it is quite robust and may grow back.

• Cordyline - Question:Cordyline approx 10 feet in height, flowered once 3 years ago. Last year it split into 3 branches. This year 2 branches are flowering. PROBLEM!! We have had it from 6 inches high in the same spot to the rear of a trellis fence which has a rowan type tree the other side tied into ...
• Onions - Question:I am growing onions for the 1st time, they are now starting to produce flower heads, and do I need to deflower them for bigger bulbs?Answer:Generally onions should not flower and if they do they tend to produce smaller onions. Remove the flowers now and hope that they have not been affected too badly. Share and ...
• Pest on Beans - Question:I have white grubs about 5mm long eating my beans and other roots the ground has been grass for many years what can I do pleaseAnswer:I would need a little more information to correctly identify the grub in question. Alternatively, here is a link to the BBC’s pest identifier. Just answer the questions as they ...
• Magnolia - Question:I have just bought a magnolia plant and would like advice on planting it out, my garden gets sunlight for about 8 hrs a day then it is shaded from 3.00pm.Answer:Magnolias prefer full sun but are OK with some shade so it should do well in your garden. The best time to plant is in ...

I have just bought a magnolia plant and would like advice on planting it out, my garden gets sunlight for about 8 hrs a day then it is shaded from 3.00pm.

Answer:

Magnolias prefer full sun but are OK with some shade so it should do well in your garden. The best time to plant is in April but you can plant it now as long as you keep it well watered while it is being established. Try to plant it in a sheltered position and add plenty of well rotted compost to the planting hole and mulch with manure or leafmould. It requires minimal pruning. Remove any broken, diseased or crossing branches after flowering. Here is a link to my planting page which will give you a general guide to planting: http://gardeningregister.co.uk/NonProductPages/Articles/planting.htm

• Cordyline - Question:Cordyline approx 10 feet in height, flowered once 3 years ago. Last year it split into 3 branches. This year 2 branches are flowering. PROBLEM!! We have had it from 6 inches high in the same spot to the rear of a trellis fence which has a rowan type tree the other side tied into ...
• Alchemilla - Question:We have just moved house and the garden seems to be overrun with Alchemilla, can you please tell me how I can get rid of most of it, I do know it self seeds and it’s just starting to come into flower. There is a lot of ivy growing between the plants that needs removingAnswer:You ...
• Yellow Squash - Question:We would like to know more about growing yellow squash.Answer:I am actually based in England so I have found the attached article which may help you. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/ssquash1.html Share and Enjoy: ...
• Onions - Question:I am growing onions for the 1st time, they are now starting to produce flower heads, and do I need to deflower them for bigger bulbs?Answer:Generally onions should not flower and if they do they tend to produce smaller onions. Remove the flowers now and hope that they have not been affected too badly. Share and ...
• Pest on Beans - Question:I have white grubs about 5mm long eating my beans and other roots the ground has been grass for many years what can I do pleaseAnswer:I would need a little more information to correctly identify the grub in question. Alternatively, here is a link to the BBC’s pest identifier. Just answer the questions as they ...

I am growing onions for the 1st time, they are now starting to produce flower heads, and do I need to deflower them for bigger bulbs?

Answer:

Generally onions should not flower and if they do they tend to produce smaller onions. Remove the flowers now and hope that they have not been affected too badly.

• Alchemilla - Question:We have just moved house and the garden seems to be overrun with Alchemilla, can you please tell me how I can get rid of most of it, I do know it self seeds and it’s just starting to come into flower. There is a lot of ivy growing between the plants that needs removingAnswer:You ...
• Honeydew Melons - Question:I live in Spain and have been growing three beautiful honeydew melons, they are quite large and starting to ripen but to my horror this morning I found that one has started to split, what can I do?Answer:I have done a bit of research and it seems that they are being over watered once they ...
• Magnolia - Question:I have just bought a magnolia plant and would like advice on planting it out, my garden gets sunlight for about 8 hrs a day then it is shaded from 3.00pm.Answer:Magnolias prefer full sun but are OK with some shade so it should do well in your garden. The best time to plant is in ...
• Cordyline - Question:Cordyline approx 10 feet in height, flowered once 3 years ago. Last year it split into 3 branches. This year 2 branches are flowering. PROBLEM!! We have had it from 6 inches high in the same spot to the rear of a trellis fence which has a rowan type tree the other side tied into ...
• Yellow Squash - Question:We would like to know more about growing yellow squash.Answer:I am actually based in England so I have found the attached article which may help you. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/ssquash1.html Share and Enjoy: ...

Cordyline approx 10 feet in height, flowered once 3 years ago. Last year it split into 3 branches. This year 2 branches are flowering. PROBLEM!! We have had it from 6 inches high in the same spot to the rear of a trellis fence which has a rowan type tree the other side tied into the trellis of 6 foot high the Cordyline (variety unknown) has many dry brown leaves also severe yellowing of many others. We treated the soil around it with growmore this year for the purpose of giving the bedding a boost. Is this what is affecting the Cordyline??The prevailing wind and rain is mostly from the south and as we are on a hill this hits the C/A full on. Is this a possible reason for the yellowing?? Please give us some advice if possible as we are the only ones in our estate with a Cordyline and would hate to lose it.

Answer:

The lower leaves of Cordylines turn brown and die off over time and the plant produces a stalk with the healthy leaves at the top. Just remove the dead leaves to make the plant look nicer tidy. It seems that Cordylines flourish on neglect so I wouldn't worry about feeding it. If you are worried that it is outgrowing its current position you should be able to move it somewhere more suitable as long as you treat it with care and prepare the planting hole well.

• Magnolia - Question:I have just bought a magnolia plant and would like advice on planting it out, my garden gets sunlight for about 8 hrs a day then it is shaded from 3.00pm.Answer:Magnolias prefer full sun but are OK with some shade so it should do well in your garden. The best time to plant is in ...
• Honeydew Melons - Question:I live in Spain and have been growing three beautiful honeydew melons, they are quite large and starting to ripen but to my horror this morning I found that one has started to split, what can I do?Answer:I have done a bit of research and it seems that they are being over watered once they ...
• Alchemilla - Question:We have just moved house and the garden seems to be overrun with Alchemilla, can you please tell me how I can get rid of most of it, I do know it self seeds and it’s just starting to come into flower. There is a lot of ivy growing between the plants that needs removingAnswer:You ...
• Onions - Question:I am growing onions for the 1st time, they are now starting to produce flower heads, and do I need to deflower them for bigger bulbs?Answer:Generally onions should not flower and if they do they tend to produce smaller onions. Remove the flowers now and hope that they have not been affected too badly. Share and ...
• Pest on Beans - Question:I have white grubs about 5mm long eating my beans and other roots the ground has been grass for many years what can I do pleaseAnswer:I would need a little more information to correctly identify the grub in question. Alternatively, here is a link to the BBC’s pest identifier. Just answer the questions as they ...