The Silly Season

"Silly Season" - traditionally, the period of the summer recess of Parliament when good news story fodder is sparse and the media turns to providing viewers with indepth coverage of skateboarding squirrels. In the modern era, a more outstanding indicator of the onset of silly season has appeared... the cultural sink hole of programme scheduling that is Big Brother.Tonight marks the commencement of the 2008 installment of Big Brother, that barren wasteland of shattered dreams and unregainable minutes of my life. But it prompts me to think: what would happen if you loaded the "house" with 12 gardeners?? And I'm off on my little flight of fancy....- Day 1: general politeness and genality abounds, everyone acts as though they are genuinely pleased to meet everyone else (while secretly longing for some alcohol to arrive).- Day 2: the sheen of newness remains, but the prisoners inhabitants begin to explore their surroundings. Much tutting over the landscaping ensues, with widespread agreement that brook thistle is just so last year. Later that day, two of the inhabitants are caught on camera in the bedroom confessing a secret joy in the brook thistle... meanwhile, in the garden, the remaining housemates are enthusiastically "lifting" it (and hoying it over the fence).- Day 3: the atmosphere is cool. An altercation about the positioning of the Aruncus is reported in the media, but doesn't feature on the evening update show....- Day 15: war has broken out in the intervening days. Only now after the battle of the perennials, the dessimation of the ornamental grasses, and the defenestration of the tree ferns (which involved some considerable ingenuity on the part of the Jekyll brigade) has a cease fire broken out allowing the broadcaster to, well, broadcast. Viewers at home are speechless as the camera pans across the desolate interior of the house. Outside, one group of seemingly feral gardeners is holding the geraniums hostage in the shed, while another engages in sorties across "no man's lawn" picking off the dead heads and dropping dandelion seeds as they run.... no longer Big Brother, it is Lord of the Flymow... the nation is on tenterhooks..... and the mood is decidedly ugly in the house....
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Jake Piechowicz replied to A. Latta's discussion Driveway weedkiller recommendations
"That's good to know, all weed killer seems expensive but if you look at the sqm coverage  you can quickly work out if it's good value or not."
5 hours ago
PGM replied to A. Latta's discussion Driveway weedkiller recommendations
"We use it on all hard areas, gravel, driveways, along the base of walls etc. Kills the weeds present and really reduces how many then grow the rest of the season. We find that you need to wait for the weather to warm up before using it as it doesn't…"
5 hours ago
Kris Baker replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"I never thought to actually compare the photos of Hencham with the original Easy Lift Harness - doh! Thanks for that, I feel much more confident in a purchase now.
>> Buy one nowOff to do that RIGHT NOW!
Thanks"
6 hours ago
Jake Piechowicz replied to A. Latta's discussion Driveway weedkiller recommendations
"I've found that once a month treatment of glyphosate is more than sufficient for most places. is chikara/ pistol suitable for gravel? I thought it was only for railway ballast or am I being daft?"
6 hours ago
PGM replied to A. Latta's discussion Driveway weedkiller recommendations
"We also use Pistol on our hard surfaces. 30ml per litre seems to kill pretty much everything and then keeps the weeds down afterwards too as it's residual. "
8 hours ago
Graham Taylor replied to A. Latta's discussion Driveway weedkiller recommendations
"Chilra or Pistol are great.................. one application now will keep it completely clear for the year.   Its not cheap but its good... you're looking at £150 roughly........ but its highly diluted in use so once you've bought it, you'll have…"
9 hours ago
Vic 575 replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"Just had a look and it’s only the name that has changed slightly, from ‘Lift’ to ‘Lifting’.
It is also over £100 cheaper than mine was all those years ago. A genuine bargain.
Buy one now."
12 hours ago
Vic 575 replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"The Easy Lifting Harness you picture is pretty much exactly the same as mine, only with two gas struts as opposed to one. The double gas strut variant was available when I got mine but the single gas strut version was more than capable weight wise…"
12 hours ago
Kris Baker replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"Thanks Vic, Yes, definitely been swayed by your previous review. I wonder if the V3 Elephant and the new Henchman have narrowed the gap.
I could import from USA ... but I want one "tomorrow" - I'm well past retirement age and have found manhandling…"
13 hours ago
Kris Baker replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"Thanks. I have done a bit more research.
Can't seem to find the Easy Lift - their website lists 3 dealers in EU, one dead links and for the other two I can't find the product on their website. Doesn't bode well ... and seems that Henchman have given…"
13 hours ago
Vic 575 replied to Kris Baker's discussion Hedge trimmer harness
"Hi Kris,
No doubt you will have seen my previous contributions extolling the virtues of the Easy Lift Harness. I’ve had mine for many years now [10 to 15 years maybe]. Quite simply it is a life changing device. Why every professional Gardener does…"
13 hours ago
Geoffrey King replied to James's discussion What is average cost for mowing a garden?
"Hello Lee, i do this sort of work, in 2014 I raised my base hourly rate to £30/hr. 1.5hr @45 2hr @60 & 3hr @80 then @85 then @87.50
Last year 3hrs @95 for new customers, they said that was very reasonable this is Ryedale, North Yorks
Have charged…"
14 hours ago
Stephen r Brook-Smith replied to Stephen r Brook-Smith's discussion Please help , what is eating my lily’s!!!??
"A quick update folks , just incase anyone else comes across this problem 
it was bloody slugs!!!! "
16 hours ago
Andrew Drummond updated their profile
yesterday
A. Latta posted a discussion
Hi all, does anyone have advice (product recommendations) on how to keep large parking areas (gravel and or block paving areas) free of weeds without spending a small fortune on 'path clear' and suchlike?Thank you in advance 
yesterday
Ben Carter replied to James's discussion What is average cost for mowing a garden?
"Hi lee. 
As others have said price per job and hourly rate in your head.  You have to bear in mind equipment loading, travelling and equipment servicing which clients don't see.  
£25 is not unreasonable."
yesterday
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