Welcome to my potting shed! This is the column where I’ll share all my gardening hints and tips – and I’ll try to answer any queries you may have.

Q I have grown giant freesia in pots and they are still flowering. When they die off, do I lift them? – Jenette Leckie, by email.

A Cut them off. Continue to feed and water the plants until the leaves turn brown. Then lift the corms and keep them in a warm airing cupboard for three months before replanting.

Spread a thick layer of mulch over soil that will remain bare during the winter.

Q Why are the leaves of my peace lilies turning yellow? – Joan McLeod, Glasgow.

A Peace lilies should be grown in moist, but not waterlogged, compost. Over or under-watering causes the leaves to turn yellow. Remove any dead leaves and check the compost regularly, only watering when it shows signs of drying out.

Move tender banana plants undercover before the frost bites. If too large to move, wrap in fleece and straw.

Q I have a green bullet-shaped fir tree, planted for my three-year-old son 40 years ago when it was a 25cm. It is now 5m tall, 2m in diameter and dominates our garden. How can I reduce it and keep its shape without killing it? – David Ross, Bishopbriggs.

A Cutting the top off will reduce the height, but shaping it will be more difficult as conifers do not produce fresh growth from brown stems. Trim it in spring, aiming to taper it towards the top, but never cut below the lowest shoot. Do this every spring.

Plant new strawberries now, setting them into the soil through a layer of weed-suppressing fabric.

Q Is it true that the fruits on my Japanese quince are edible? – Sheila McLean, Forres.

A Yes. Simmered with a little sugar, they make a delicious and fragrant jelly. In Japan they are considered a delicacy.

Plant Paperwhite narcissi this week for flowers at Christmas.

Q This year I’ve grown dahlias and they have been fantastic. I know I should now lift them, but I’ve got nowhere to store them. Will they survive in the soil? – Colin Watson, Dunfermline.

A Remove the flowers and foliage once they have been blackened by frost. Then cover your plants in a thick layer of straw or other dry mulch and cross your fingers that we have a mild winter.

Pick the last of the flowers from the garden before clearing away stems and leafy growth.