Gardener's question time

[stalagmike]

I have been given the task of affixing wires alongside our garage so that my other half can train some kind of plants up the side of it. A bit like a picture wire. Anybody ever done this kind of thing? The garage is about 4m long. I am thinking I need some decent galvanised loops at either end and maybe another half way. Then three wires evenly spaced up the wall would be enough. How would I finish off the wires at either end to stop fraying etc. If it were brake or gear cables I could put ferrules on them I'm thinking these wires would be thicker. Any advice appreciated.

 

[sheddy]

Wood, brick, steel or concrete ?

 

[Dave 123]

You can use single thread wire of whatever gauge you want and just wrap it off back on itself.

You can just use 4 inch nails, or vine eyes to fix to the wall if you'd like to make a nice job.

Sometimes it's hard to get tension on the wire, so look at these

https://www.s3i.co.uk/gripple-stand...MIuMyk45qI2gIVj5kbCh1ETwYYEAAYASABEgJsk_D_BwE

 

[Dave 123]

Or....
Just plant self clinging climbers like Hydrangea peteolaris, Ercilla volubilis, Parthenocissus tricuspidata

To name a few.....

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Vine eyes are what you need. Any garden centre will have them. Fine for light foliage.

If you are growing espaliers or cordons you’ll need a decent post or fixing either end and a straining bolt with a loop (just like a vine eye) at the end. Decent wire.

 

[stalagmike]

Wood, brick, steel or concrete ?

Brick

 

[Beebo]

Why not just buy some wooden trellis?

 

[Levo-Lon]

Plant Ivy. Bloody stuff will cover the wall in no time and no need for anything fixing wise, happy wife happy life

 

[stalagmike]

Why not just buy some wooden trellis?

We took down a rotten old trellis from the same spot. Swmbo says wires, so it has to be wires.

 

[PeteXXX]

Espalier looks nice, depending how much time you want to take training plantlife on it.

 

[biggs682]

We took down a rotten old trellis from the same spot. Swmbo says wires, so it has to be wires.

Old brake cable and some chocolate block connectors with some vine eyes

 

[Tin Pot]

Old brake cable and some chocolate block connectors with some vine eyes

Actually not a bad call with the brake cables. Wish I hadnt thrown so many away now!

 

[Milzy]

How far do I cut back my lavender? I know if you go too far it will kill the plant.

What’s a hardy Acer that will stay dwarf size?

Thanks.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

The hardest you should go would be to leave minimum 3-4 green leaves past the flower spikes. It doesn’t seem to like hard pruning back into the woody stems.

That said they are pretty much semi disposable plants so replace around the 3-5 year milestone.

 

[Dave 123]

How far do I cut back my lavender? I know if you go too far it will kill the plant.

What’s a hardy Acer that will stay dwarf size?

Thanks.

Just remove the spent flower stems now, don’t cut into anything else.
In the spring at it starts to shoot you can give it a light trim to encourage shoots from lower down the plant.