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 a fig tree in a pot. I brought it into the garage in the autumn but haven’t watered it since. Should I start watering it again? – James O’Neill, Stirling. A Fig trees needs little water when dormant. Once a month should be sufficient to keep it going until spring, when you can move it outdoors again and start watering as normal. When growing sweet peas, move into a cold frame or unheated greenhouse when the seeds have germinated. Q What can I grow in the border that runs down the side of my house? It is in shade for half the day. – Audrey Clark, Bothwell.

A Evergreen sweet box would flourish and provide lovely scent. Autumn cyclamen and spring bluebells would also be fine. Prune out dead or crossing stems on roses, cutting the plants down by half to encourage new and vigorous growth. Q The leaves on my camellia have developed a coppery brown sheen. I can’t see any signs of pests, so what is causing this? – Mrs Beth Watson, Lanark.

A This sounds like frost damage. It won’t actually harm the plant. However, if you don’t want the flowers to be similarly affected then you may have to move your camellia to a more sheltered spot. Raise windowsill salads, sowing seed into small trays and covering with cling film. Then, place in a warm, bright place. Q I’ve got a lovely holly tree that my friends all admire. Can I take cuttings to give to them? – Lily Morrison, Blairgowrie.

A You can take hardwood cuttings now, putting them in a pot of gritty compost, keeping them somewhere cool until they root. Then, pot them up individually. Strawberries will fruit early if potted up now and brought into a greenhouse. Q I’ve got a laurel hedge that has become very overgrown. When is the best time to cut it back? – K McAllister, Beith.

A Cut it back in June and it will quickly recover, producing new growth over the summer. If possible, use secateurs and not a trimmer and aim to leave no cut leaves as these will turn brown and unsightly.

Soak peas for pea shoots in tepid water overnight before sowing to encourage faster germination.