Quick QUESTIONS
What climber can I use to disguise our outside toilet quickly?
Ann Moffatt, by Facebook
Your best choice would one be one of the ornamental ivies such as the lovely ‘Goldheart’, which will soon cover the brickwork and appear attractive all year round, provided the brickwork is sound. If it is old and crumbly you will need to fix trellis in front, and I suggest you then grow a vigorous clematis such as C. montana.
I want to renew two 15-year-old rose beds. How much soil should I replace and when is the best time to prune?
Jerry Sewart, by email Don’t try and replace all the soil, as you will be moving a great many tons. Dig out an individual hole for each plant, 30cm cubed, and refill it with soil from elsewhere in your garden. A vegetable plot is ideal. In general, most rose pruning is done now but any long growths should be cut back in late autumn before winter winds make the plants unstable.
Why have my purplesprouting broccoli ‘Claret’ plants shot up to 1.8m this year?
Tim Mills, Chester Almost certainly because they’ve had too much nitrogen and too much water. I would guess you’ve given them generous
supplies of manure or other nitrogen-rich fertiliser and this, combined with the heavy rain, has produced masses of leafy growth rather than shorter stems and flower heads. But I’m pleased you’re growing ‘Claret F1’, which is my top choice among purplesprouting broccolis.
Is it possible to relocate a large established pieris ‘Forest Flame’?
Adrian Sheldon, Cardiff
I don’t think it’s any more difficult than any other large shrub, which means there’s never an absolute certainty of success. The best time is now. Ensure the plant has been thoroughly watered first and that the planting hole is ready with plenty of compost. Then dig it out with as large a rootball of soil as possible and move it quickly to its new position. Water very thoroughly afterwards.