r/SimpleGardening

I had so much luck with basil last year, am I doing something wrong?

Also the blueberries I honestly can’t tell if something wrong or if I just need to be more patient.

Any help and/or wisdom? Thank you!!

So, I somewhat impulsively bought some live tomato plants from Amazon 🤦🏻‍♀️. Are they salvageable?

The paper in the package said to leave them in the pots they came in until they outgrow them. And says to transplant them when they have 3-4 sets of “true leaves”, and that they should be 3-6 inches tall. How can I tell if leaves are true? Also they are all about 3” tall, so maybe I should transplant them right away? I’m thinking to put them outside when I do transplant them.

Any advice? Thanks!

I have this plant, I believe it’s an elephant ear plant? It was gifted to me and I’ve been doing my best to keep it alive. I have a horrible track record with plants but luckily it’s lived! I’m just a bit confused. Usually when it grows new leaves they grow out of the middle of the plant. But suddenly a couple days ago it started sprouting leaves from the outside of the plant. Is this good/ neutral/ bad? Do I need to do anything about it? Trim it? Or leave it be? I know nothing about plant maintenance. I assumed since all prior leaves sprouted from the middle of the plant that’s what it would keep doing so now I’m confused. Any advice would be great, thanks

Pictures included are the plant and the new little leaves, as well as a circled image of where the leaves usually grow from.

(Dog picture for attention)

Apologies it appears reddit has nuked the picture quality

I am uni student back home for the summer and really want to revitalise and transform our family garden. Over time things have overgrown and been chopped down and atm it's a huge mess.

***I have a plan though (please tell me whether I'm delusional).***

Firstly, the plant in the last picture keeps popping up in spots all over the garden - what is and how do I get rid of it and stop it from coming back?

Secondly the 6th picture is of my plan for the garden.

The possibility of getting a new shed that faces towards the house rather than sideways is possible.

Garden is North-East facing.

Soil type is some sort of clay i think???

Living in the North-West means we get a decent bit of cold and lots of rain.

*So, my plan...*

I want to build a Japanese inspired bed where the acer and bamboo already sits (BED #1). The bamboo i think it's shapeable? And the acer is a bit of a mess but i think im right in saying you should only prune them in winter? It looks to have a lot of height but not much volume (any advice?)

Where the patio is below i want to build a nice tall flower planter for some seasonal things. On the left of it.

The left hand side (BED #3) already has a small veg patch i made a while back and I'd be looking to expand that (using sleepers instead of pallet wood) as well as possibly some berry bushes if possible? There are currently two stumps there one is manageable and I think I could do it myself but the other is from quite a large tree that was cut down. (Any advice on getting them out)

Bed #2 at the back of the garden id like to have some colour. I'm thinking some sort of lavender and hydrangea?

Honestly any advice at all would be great im already aware of the need for bordering and then compost and mulch but I really need help with what's viable (and low maintenance for when I'm away at uni)

I've also made a spreadsheet with costs and what i think I'll need equipment wise (my estate has a community tool bundle I'll be making use of for the most part) but any items you think I've missed or will definitely need please let me know!

TYIA for any comments I really appreciate all the help!

Does anyone have any advice or tips on what the next step is or pointers on if I'm doing the right thing?

I think it’s some type of perennial but it’s taking its time coming to life.

My spinach is growing great but bugs are eating the leaves : (. Today I sprinkled some chili powder on it and hopefully it helps. Does anybody else have any tips for this issue? Also should I pick the leaves that have the holes?