Thanks for the very useful website Jenny. Lots of info and suggestions, and
howto's.
Barb


"JennyC" wrote in message
...

"Barb" wrote in message
...
Hi folks. I'm a bit of a novice gardener, having acquired a fairly
mature garden with many shrubs and roses and a few "beds". I put in a
few small shrubs to fill some gaps last autumn and they seem to be doing
OK because I followed the advice and suggestions of the chap at the
nursery as to position, etc..

I want to grow some colourful flowers in the rather empty (and weedy!)
beds this summer, and I thought, say, marigolds and cornflowers, on the
basis that they're fairly foolproof and I grew these successfully as a
kid! If I dig and lay down a good level of new compost, when do I sow
the seeds, and can I sow them direct into the ground?

Yes you can sow most annuals straight into the soil.

Also I've had a bit of a problem with slugs, so does a scattering of slug
pellets among the seedlings work?

Hopefully!
There are other things to try, like pots of beer into which they fall
.......you can then dispose of them as you see fit.....

Any other ideas for fairly tough, colourful long-flowering annuals I can
fill my blank spaces with? Preferably from seed, 'cos it's cheaper! I
have to say that I generally can't tell one plant from another, and I'm
on a huge learning curve!

I could suggest all sorts of things, but it's probably best to make your
own choice at a garden centre. Thomson and Morgan have their catologue
online so you can do a reccy first: http://www.thompson-morgan.com/

Thanks for any advice and help. I know I can read a couple of books, but
it's always better to get suggestions from real people.
Barb (Staffordshire)

Jenny