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Ask The Expert

We are in the enviable position at Harrod Horticultural of having extremely knowledgeable staff and as a result, we are able to answer most queries concerning the operation and suitability of the products we stock. On the occasions we are unable to provide a definitive answer immediately, we will endeavour to find the information required as soon as possible.
 
Please contact our resident experts by e-mail with any questions you may have;

Martin Fiddes, Sharon-Louise and Julian Ives - our three gardening experts

Martin Fiddes (Horticulturalist and Master Composter)
 - martin@harrod.uk.com 
(For all product-related, composting, specialist or ad hoc enquiries)

With a background in commercial and glasshouse horticulture along with tree fruit production, Martin has extensive knowledge of greenhouse equipment such as heaters and watering equipment which complements his fruit and vegetable growing experience. He has previously worked on a commercial glasshouse nursery, one of the largest tree fruit orchards in Europe and a successful market garden and has a Diploma in Commercial Horticulture from Oaklands College of Agriculture and Horticulture in Hertfordshire.  It's this experience which gives him a unique viewpoint on the products we can supply and the horticultural industry in general. Martin is responsible for creating the Harrod Horticultural Kitchen Garden project and is heavily involved with the production of our catalogues and the content of the website, giving him an in-depth knowledge of our product range. He has also completed the Norfolk County Council Master Composter course, equipping him with the skills, know-how and experience to deal with most compost-related queries.  


Julian Ives (Organic Pest Control Consultant) -
julian@harrod.uk.com

Julian is the latest addition to our panel of horticultural experts who are on hand to help you defeat garden critters all year round.  His horticultural career began at RHS Harlow Carr, before going on to Writtle Agricultural college to study commercial horticulture. On leaving college, Julian worked for a horticultural sundries supplier before joining Europe’s largest producer of beneficial insects for biological pest control. For over a decade he advised many different types of growers from tomato and strawberry to pot plant growers on how to best apply and use biological control whilst also reducing insecticide use. So as you can see, with his vast knowledge and experience, Julian is the perfect choice to advise gardeners on the best methods and products to use for gardening organically without the use of toxic insecticides.  So don’t struggle and get frustrated in your veggie patch or garden, just e-mail Julian, sit back and let him arm you with the advice and solutions you need!



Please see a selection from our list of questions below:
 
Rodent-Free Composting 18/03/2010
I've got continual rat problems with my compost bin . Have you got any suitable solutions so I can compost alone...?...read more
Leggy Plants from the Propagator 12/03/2010
Last year my plants were all 'leggy'. Would some bottom heat from a heat mat prevent this...?...read more
Linking Water Butts 04/03/2010
I want to set up a three Harcostar water butt system to save water. What's the best way to link them all together...?...read more
Corner Raised Beds and Slug and Snail Copper Tape 26/02/2010
I'd like to create 'wedge' shaped raised beds and protect them with slug tape. Can Harrod Horticultural help...?...read more
Which greenhouse propagator is for me? 18/02/2010
I want some help with germinating seeds. Should I kit out my greenhouse with a Vitopod, soil warming cables or a heat mat...?...read more
Rabbits Stripping Bark from Fruit Trees 09/02/2010
The rabbits have got a taste for bark this winter. What can I do to stop them eating my trees...?...read more
Leek Rust 05/02/2010
My father has suffered at the hands of leek rust in the past and wants to avoid the same thing happening again. Any advice...?...read more
Large Scale Composting 29/01/2010
I want to make compost from the plentiful supply of material in my large garden. Any recommendations...?...read more
Undercover Job! 06/01/2010
I want to start growing veg but my soil's been covered up for years. How do I start...?...read more
Grease is the Word! 01/12/2009
Apple trees in need of winter protection......read more
Wood Good for the Garden? 04/11/2009
Will the ash from my stove benefit the garden...?...read more
Is butterfly netting the answer...? 03/11/2009
Will butterfly netting prevent bees and other pollinating insects from entering my vegetable cage...?...read more
Slug Problems 30/10/2009
I've heard copper can cause unwanted soil problems in the garden. Does this mean the slug rings are a no-go...?...read more
Lawn Wreckers! 13/10/2009
The chafer grubs in my soil are attracting birds who are making a real mess of my lawn - what can I do ...?...read more
Water Butt my Rasperries! 03/08/2009
I want to water raspeberry canes with a soaker hose from my water butt. What do you think I should use...?...read more
Planting Apple Trees 31/07/2009
I want to plant a new apple tree but I've heard conflicting reports of the best way to do so. Can you help...?...read more
Compost Conundrum! 20/07/2009
I'm considering purchasing a composter but I'm not sure which one to choose. Do I go for a tumbler, the Tumbleweed version or a 'Big Pig'...?...read more
Waste Not, Want Not! 20/06/2009
I'd like to get into home composting but there's only the two of us, a puppy and a small garden. What will I need and can I add waste from the dog to the heap as well....?...read more
Nematodes - safe for us to use? 03/06/2009
I've heard nematodes can be parasitic. Are they really the saftest option for garden slug control ...?...read more
Greenhouse Heating - Black Forest style! 29/05/2009
I've always used a paraffin heater in my greenhouse but the new Black Forest catalytic heaters have caught my eye. Do you recommend them...?...read more
Greenhouse Watering! 11/05/2009
I want to keep my greenhouse plants well watered. Is it possible to use the watering tray kits and the tub together...?...read more
Ants in the Compost Heap - and the Lawn! 05/05/2009
I've got ants in my compost heap and they're also in my lawn. What can I do to get rid of them...?...read more
Frost Free Greenhouse! 29/04/2009
I want to grow peppers and tomatoes in my greenhouse. Which Frost Buster heater do I need...?...read more
Flinging Mud Balls! 23/04/2009
My pond water is clear and I'd like to keep it that way! Can you recommend the EM Mud Balls to do the job...?...read more
Hoops and Raised Beds - help! 14/04/2009
I'd like to cover the vegetables I'm planning to grow in my raised beds, but I'm not sure which hoops, netting and clips I will need. Please could you help...?...read more
Starting to Get Chilli! 02/04/2009
I'm sure my chilli seeds need some extra heat to help them germinate. What's the best method to use...?...read more
Garden Pumps - 'Water' you Recommend?! 30/03/2009
I want to pump water from my tank around my garden. Is the water butt pump up to the task...?...read more
Raised Bed Dilemma! 25/03/2009
Can I put my raised bed on concrete or do I need to go to the trouble of breaking it up...?...read more
Harvesting Broccoli 13/03/2009
My broccoli is ready to harvest. How should I go about it...?...read more
Filling Raised Beds 10/03/2009
I want to fill the raised beds I've recently purchased from you. How much soil will I need?...read more
Safe Slug Control 04/03/2009
Slugs have made mincemeat of our first year vegetables. We want to reduce their numbers but we've got two young children to consider. Any ideas how we can do this safely...?...read more
Propagation Cloche 27/02/2009
I want to use the soil warming cables to set up a propagating area. Any ideas how I can keep the heat in...?...read more
Compost Tumblers 19/02/2009
I'm trying to clean up and streamline my composting operation, and I want to know if a Compost Tumbler will help. And is it ok to add ash and orange peel to my composter...?...read more
Linking my Link-a-Bord Raised Beds 16/02/2009
I want to stack up two link-a-bord raised bed kits. Do I need to order extra dowel or will I get enough in each kit...?...read more
Apple Tree Maggots 02/02/2009
I desperately want to eat the apples from my tree but the maggots get there first! What can I do to stop them...?...read more
Soil Warming Cables 28/01/2009
I'd like to make a propagation bench from soil warming cables. Is my idea a runner and where should I position the thermostat...?...read more
Improving the Soil and PH Levels - Please Explain! 21/11/2008
What does it mean if my soil is acid and how can I change it...?...read more
Don't Give a Fig! 12/11/2008
Should I remove the hard figs currently residing on my tree, or are they next year's crop...?...read more
Give pests an unwelcome winter hose-down... 14/10/2008
I want to give gooseberry sawfly the brush off this winter. Is a wash the answer...?...read more
Raspberry rust and plum problems... 02/10/2008
My raspberries are rusty and I've got trouble with my plums - any ideas...?...read more
Soil Uncertainty? 02/10/2008
Will soil from under a pine tree make a good filling for my raised bed...?...read more
Fly Screen! 26/09/2008
I've protected my carrots from the dreaded fly, but when is it safe to take this down...?...read more
From growing carrots to sorting out the lawn... 23/09/2008
Is it too late to sow carrots for a Christmas crop - and I've got a lot of grass to scarify...?...read more
Two to Tango? 21/08/2008
Do you need more than one butternut squash plant to produce fruit...?...read more
Onion Woe! 16/07/2008
Has the bottom fallen out of your onions? It's bad news I'm afraid......read more
Let's Go Round Again! 26/06/2008
I'm planning a 5-bed crop rotation plan - any ideas for green manuring and where to put my asparagus...?...read more
Easy Mower! 04/03/2008
I'm considering getting a new mower but I don't want to hold down the operational switch all the time. Any ideas...?...read more
Seasons in the Sun! 03/03/2008
Gardening books refer to 'mid winter' or 'early spring'. Can you be more specific...?...read more
Rose sawfly the culprit? 26/02/2008
Tiny caterpillar like-grubs are reducing my rose leaves to skeletons - who's to blame...?...read more
A 'pear' of blisters! 18/02/2008
Pear leaf mite attacked my trees last year. How can I control this problem...?...read more
Wabbit worries! 08/02/2008
I planning to build some raised beds and I've got a hunch the rabbits are keen to become involved. How can I deter them...?...read more
I Need a Mulch! 07/02/2008
My fruit cage is being invaded by couch grass. Can you suggest a suitable mulch...?...read more
Rat attack... 04/02/2008
I've got a rat in my garden. Is it likely to damage my vegetables...?...read more
Clean up time.... 01/02/2008
I'd like to thoroughly clean my greenhouse ready for the new season. How should I go about it...?...read more
Tubing conundrum... 21/01/2008
I'd like to cover my raised bed using aluminium tubing and insect mesh netting. What do I need...?...read more
Evil weevil... 21/01/2008
I've got vine weevil but it's too early for nematodes. What else can I do...?...read more
Link-a-Bord assistance required... 17/01/2008
I'd like to create double tier Link-a-Bord beds. What's the best way to go about it...?...read more
Be prepared... 16/01/2008
I'm finding slugs already! What can I use at this time of year...?...read more
Hungry worms... 16/01/2008
What can I feed the worms in my wormery...?...read more
Moles leave me in a hole... 16/01/2008
I want to move on my moles but I don't want to poison them. What can I do ...?...read more
How to care for my lawn... 16/01/2008
Can you please tell me how often I should aerate my lawn and what are the best times of the year to do it...?...read more
No i(deer) where to put my greenhouse... 10/01/2008
How to keep deer out of the garden and the best place for my greenhouse...read more
A cosy retreat for a grapefruit tree..... 08/01/2008
Is the Winter fleece jacket suitable for my 33 year old grapefruit tree?...read more
Let's go round again... 06/01/2008
How can I rotate my crops in a polytunnel...?...read more
An infamous presence on most unprotected crops. 06/09/2007
Have your plants been decimated by the hairy, yellow/black caterpillar larvae of the cabbage white butterfly?...read more
Slug and Snail Trapper to the Rescue 06/09/2007
This year the suspects are slugs and snails as slime trails were noted at the crime scene...read more
Ancient ritual? 05/09/2007
I have noticed that at some time, growers remove the lower leaves off these vegetables why?...read more
Strong Porous and suppresses Weeds 14/06/2007
Ground Cover or Mulching Fabric between my soft fruit bushes?...read more
Stagnant water a problem! 09/02/2007
How do I keep the water in my Water Butt smelling fresh?...read more
Disaster in the Vegetable Garden 03/10/2006
Do I try again next year, or give up?...read more
Clematis Problem 03/10/2006
Flower buds under attack...read more
Prepare for winter residents 04/09/2006
How should I prepare my Hedgehog House for hibernation?...read more
How to prevent club root in the Kitchen Garden 04/09/2006
Prevention is better than cure!...read more
Vineweevil a problem? 02/09/2006
When is it best to target the Vineweevil?...read more
What's in a Link-a-Bord Kit? 02/02/2006
What parts are included in the 1m x 1m Link-a-Bord Set?...read more
Invaded by Caterpillars? 10/01/2006
Netting, Enviromesh or Fleece - what is your preference?...read more
Worms for Christmas 11/12/2005
Will they survive the festive season?...read more
Attracting Bees to the Orchard 24/11/2005
Is the Beeline hive suitable for my needs?...read more
"Blind Brassicas" 24/10/2005
What causes Brassicas to grow "Blind"?...read more
Where do I put my Ladybird Box? 10/10/2005
How high from the ground is best?...read more
Aphids on Chili plants 25/09/2005
Will my Chili plants survive the Green Aphids?...read more
The maggots are eating more raspberries than me 01/09/2005
Are your raspberries suffering from this common complaint?.......read more
Is it a rat or a squirrel? 25/08/2005
Please advise the best choice of humane pest control trap...read more
Infestation of Whitefly 04/08/2005
My Infestation of Whitefly has been horrendous...read more
Net Ties or Net Clips 03/08/2005
Please advise what to use to join two sections of netting together...read more
New Potatoes for Christmas Dinner 02/08/2005
I intend to keep the spud tubs outside for now and then move them into the Green house as the weather changes...read more
Greenhouse Heating 26/07/2005
Extend your growing season in the Greenhouse by providing winter heat...read more
Davastation by Cabbage White 14/07/2005
Devastation by Cabbage White - should I use fleece or mesh?...read more
Heavy Duty Steel Fruit Cage 06/07/2005
I am looking at buying a fruit cage to protect my kitchen garden plot from birds and cats etc....read more
Rabbit problems in the Garden 29/06/2005
We have a rabbit problem in our garden, and last year was the first of 31 years at living here that we saw them...read more
Fruit Cage or Cat Run? 15/06/2005
I'm actually looking to build an outdoor cat run and was thinking that a fruit cage framework looks ideal for this purpose....read more
The dreaded bindweed on the Allotment 07/05/2005
I have a problem with bindweed in one of my allotment beds. It has been covered for 12 months but is totally riddled with white brittle roots and they go very deep...read more
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