Ask Charlie Dimmock transcript
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| This event took place Friday 30th November, 2001 |
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Charlie Dimmock
Ground Force's Charlie Dimmock, joined us and answered your questions about Alan Titchmarsh and water features ...
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Question from Peppi: A main but only-1-11/2 c.m thick branch got snapped on my root 27 wosester apple tree. It tore downwards so about 4cm was damaged and only a strip of bark kept it attached. I used fabric plaster first aid tape and taped it back together immediately. That was about 4 months ago and it has been fine. Will it regraft itself, and when should I remove the tape?
Charlie Dimmock: If you tied it back on very quickly so it wasn't torn off for a long time, yes it will regraft quite happily, you shouldn't get too much problem. Just leave the binding on for at least a season and then maybe untie it and look at it. You will need to reduce the weight on the main branch.
Question from Mark Blackman: Charlie, how do you get the ideas for the water features in Ground Force?
Charlie Dimmock: It's a combination of all of us. Alan comes up with the basic feeling he wants, such as natural or formal and then it just sort of evolves from there.
Question from Siberian Kiss: How did you get interested in gardening, especially water features?
Charlie Dimmock: It really came about from my Saturday job at a garden centre which specialised in ponds and water features. I developed a passion from that initial interest, although I went to college and did a general course.
Question from Chris: We have just moved to a house with a garden pond containing 5 fish. It appears to be losing water so I assume it has a leak. How do we repair it?
Charlie Dimmock: It really depends what the pond is made of. If it stays mild, you can go about fixing it. Ideally it would be better to do it early spring.
Question from Aileen Hosty: How do I create a sensory awareness garden. I work for a charity called United Response, where we provide 24 hour care to four ladies with severe learning disabilities. Currently the garden is just laid to lawn, with a few bland borders but I want to create a garden that the service users will appreciate!
Charlie Dimmock: Depending on the people who are using it, make sure you have two different levels in the garden to make access easy, texture the paths as you can pick up textures even when you're walking. Then just plants that fit the bill whether they're really bright colours, the leaves rustle in the wind. Just wander around gardens. Gardeners World magazine has done an article on it. Look out for bright colours, scent or texture.
Question from Ian Richards: Hi Charlie. What size pump do I need for the millstones in tonights programme?
Charlie Dimmock: We actually ended up with a pump that was much too big. You would really need 450-650 gallons an hour depending on the size of your millstone. The small one was 12" in diameter and the large one was 16" and make sure you use a big hose then the water wells up.
Question from Rob Brown: Do you get frustrated with some of the characters in "Gardening Neighbours"?
Charlie Dimmock: I actually got on very well with all of them. You have to remember when I was there we would film all day and they filmed a lot of extra when I wasn't there and the editors can cut the programme and influence the programme. The biggest frustration I had, was people panic about hard landscaping as it looks so bold until the plants are in.
Question from Alistair Truscott: Who was your favourite gardening neighbour?
Charlie Dimmock: Alistair, it's got to be you. You know that your garden was my favourite garden. What does your Mum think of the programme?
Question from Bartt Smith: Who is your best co-presenter you have worked with?
Charlie Dimmock: That's difficult. Everyone is so different. Alan is great fun, knows everything and makes our life quite easy in some ways. Rachel and Chris are very professional and can just do pieces to camera with no problem. Diarmuid is great fun and he's like a naughty little boy. Tommy is great fun, we argue a lot but we do get on well. You can't pick really! I always argue with Tommy about how things should be done! I just carry on what I'm doing and Tommy carries on with what he's doing.
Question from Trisha Benton: I wonder if you could help my 8 year old daughter who has a question as to the name of a plant that she was given by her teacher. The teacher called it a Mr Tickle plant as when you touch the leaves they droop as if they don't like it. The other day a pink fluffy ball flower came on the plant and there are another three on it ready to bloom. What is it's real name?
Charlie Dimmock: It's a sensitive plant. If you go to a garden centre and ask for a pack of seeds for a sensitive plants, the Latin will be written on that packet. I can't remember, my mind has gone blank.
Question from Robert S: Charlie, what do you think about the way Alistair McGowan and Ronni Ancona portray you and Alan on his impersonation show?
Charlie Dimmock: I haven't seen it but the crew says it's hysterically funny. I did bump into them at an awards ceremony and they were afraid of meeting us. I did ask for their autographs though! I suppose it's a compliment.
Question from Graham Bichard: Do you prefer being a gardener, or a gardening TV presenter?
Charlie Dimmock: Swings and roundabouts. I get frustrated because I don't get to do enough gardening, but then you get lots to do sometimes. You get to meet lots of people and see people's gardens that you don't normally see.
Question from Alex Munro: Are there any other areas of television you would like to work in?
Charlie Dimmock: No not really. I've had my chance to do something different which was quite fun but there's nothing that I feel I really want to do.
Question from Rusala Deviney: Charlie, what is your most fave plant/flower/tree?
Charlie Dimmock: Impossible to answer. There's too many. In general I love herbacious and bold flower plants.
Question from Alan Groom: I have a small water pump feature which I purchased this year and was wondering if I have to turn it off for the winter months?
Charlie Dimmock: Depending where in the country you are. If you're in a cold area you must make sure you drain it and take the pump. Otherwise I suggest you leave it running and you might get some good ice sculptures.
Question from Lynne Fleming: I would like to screen my greenhouse from view with a bamboo 'hedge'. I live in Cornwall on the top of a hill exposed to south-westerly winds, with acidic, slightly clay-like soil. Please could you suggest a type of bamboo which would withstand the wind but spread to form a good screen easily?
Charlie Dimmock: Bamboos aren't too bad in a windy situation, go for the smaller leafed ones. Don't plant it too close to the glass house as you don't want to make it shady.
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