After a brief hiatus, I return with this month’s Q and A. We are in full gardening mode now, but the weather has been super kind to us. Here are some answers to questions posed by you the readers. Please do email me if you have a question for me!
I’ve just moved in to a new build, and my lawn is dying and patchy, what can I do?
Oh no, the horror of builders’ remains! Chances are you have also inherited a 2in layer of topsoil and turf hastily laid over builders rubble and compacted earth. It’s a big problem in the industry. The best option would be to have a professional come and take a look. A consultation is likely to be anywhere between £30-£100+, depending on skills and services offered. The likelihood is that the rubble and compacted earth has created a ‘pan’, where the roots cannot penetrate and water sits for too long above this layer. The most likely remedy is removing the turf, clearing the rubble to 20 inches’ depth and incorporating some organic matter or compost, then re-sowing. It really needs addressing at a political level to get decent standards in place so that developers don’t do this (note, not all developers are like this!)
Which plants shouldn’t I plant with my cat around?
There are a few plants which are poisonous to cats, and though they generally leave them alone it’s best to be safe. Lilies are particularly harmful, and all parts of the plant are toxic. Daffodils if ingested are also harmful. Beware also some indoor plants, and cut flowers. Monstera (cheese plant), aloe vera, cycads and poinsettia are all harmful if ingested. If in doubt, check with your vet, and be aware of symptoms. The Cat’s Protection has some good reference guides at cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/dangerous-plants
What’s the best variety of tomato to grow?
There are so many varieties of tomato available now that it can be quite confusing to know which ones to go for. But once you break it down it becomes much easier to choose. What type would you like – cherry, plum (great for making your own passata), beefsteak (for burger buns), or salad. If you have space you can get a selection to suit all needs. Next, are you growing inside or out? Some varieties are much more suited to outdoor growing than others as they are hardier. These are varieties such as Ailsa Craig (salad), Gardeners Delight (cherry), Moneymaker (salad), and San Marzano (plum). These will also do really well in a greenhouse too. Next its type of growth habit – cordon or bush. I prefer cordon as they are easier and more controllable, but you do need to pinch out the side shoots regularly. Lastly, do you have a problem with blight? Tomato blight, (pictured left), is a disease that attacks the foliage and fruit of tomatoes, causing rotting. It is most common in warm, wet weather, and in some years can cause almost total yield loss, particularly of susceptible tomato cultivars grown outdoors. It also affects potatoes. Tomato blight is an increasing problem in the UK, but they have now developed a few blight-resistant varieties, though you’ll probably have to grow from seed or order plants online as I haven’t seen any in the garden centres locally. Crimson Crush, Cherry and Blush, Mountain Magic and Crokini are a few tried and tested cultivars.
This year we are growing San Marzano, Crimson Cherry and Crokini. We don’t have blight (yet), but with around 100 tomato plants I’m not risking it!
Enjoy this wonderful weather and remember to enjoy the garden and the process of gardening at the same time.

By Hannah Hobbs-Chell.
Horticulturist and garden designer/consultant Hannah Hobbs-Chell is the gardener at High Mead Farm, looking after four acres of gardens and landscape.
If you have a question for her, email:hannah.hobbschell@outlook.com including a picture if relevant