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 gotI wantvery heavyto grow soil.a herb What’s gardenthe best but wayI’ve to makeand lavender?this suitable– Allanfor things Caulder, like Clarkston. rosemary A sufficientlyIt would takefor Mediterraneana long time to herbs improveto be clay happy success growingraising themin it. You’din pots have filled muchwith gritty better compost. Position these in the sunniest part of the garden.

If snow falls heavily, act quickly to knock it off conifers and hedges to prevent them splitting under its weight. Q I have several pots of hyacinths and don’t want to throw them away. Can I plant them in the garden? – Linda Gray, Portlethen.

A Yes you can. Tip the bulbs out and plant them in a clump. Add grit to heavy soil to improve drainage and allow the foliage to die back as this will feed the bulbs and help them regain vigour to flower next year. Sow sweet peas in small, deep pots under glass and protect from mice. Q I have an apple tree that hasn’t been pruned for many years. How do I tackle it? – Mr G Marshall, Nairn.

A Start by cutting out several branches from the centre and then cut back overgrown outer branches to an upward-facing lower side branch.

Clear away perennials left standing through the winter once they start to blacken. Q Some of my hellebores have developed black blotches on the leaves. How do I get rid of these? – Mrs E Davidson.

A This is leaf spot disease, a fungal problem that can cause the plants to collapse. The best thing to do is remove and dispose safely of all affected foliage. You may want to remove all the old foliage from oriental hellebores and Christmas roses this month as a precaution to prevent the disease from spreading. If the ground is not frozen, continue to plant bare-root roses, hedges and trees. Q How do I stop worm casts from appearing on my lawn? – Neil Tait, by email.

A Worms do a great job of improving drainage in lawns so if you have a healthy population I’d do nothing to disturb them. Instead, simply brush off the casts when they appear using a stiff broom.

Cut hazel sticks to use as supports for

peas, beans and perennials.