"Ian B" wrote

since I've never had a garden of my own before and it's a rather steep
learning curve isn't it?

I appreciate that I look like an idiot, largely because I am one, but I'm
doing my best.

We all had to learn, some of us were fortunate to learn from good old
gardeners when we were children. Coming to it later in life without a mentor
is difficult but that is where we can help. Keep the questions coming, it
helps us to rethink why/how we do things.
I might add, one never ever finishes learning about gardening and plants.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK