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 large forsythia that’s blocking access to my garden shed. Can I cut it back? – Mrs Linda Watson, Dalkeith.

A Wait until the flowers have gone over then take out any old or damaged branches and shorten younger stems.

On sunny days, open doors and vents to

prevent seedlings from scorching or drying out in greenhouses.

Q Several years ago I planted crocuses in the lawn hoping they would spread out. So far they’ve only increased very little. – Michael Davies, Erskine.

A Crocus increase both by bulbs and seeds, but if you cut the grass before they have had a chance to scatter their seeds, you’ll slow down the process. Leave part of the lawn where they grow uncut until you are sure they have seeded and you’ll see faster results.

Repot houseplants, into containers a size

bigger. If too large to repot, remove an inch of compost from the top and replace with fresh compost.

Q I have lots of bluebell foliage starting to appear. How can I tell if these are native or the Spanish bluebells that should be removed? – Mhairi Clark, Uddingston.

A Wait until they flower then check the stems. If the flowers appear on all sides these are Spanish bluebells, but if the flowers are held on just one side of the stem then you have native bluebells, which need to be protected from crossing with the Spanish variety.

Peony shoots are beginning to emerge.

Take care not to damage these while weeding or hoeing.

Q Is it possible to grow eremurus when you have clay soil? – Brian Macdonald, Bishopbriggs.

A Foxtail lilies (eremurus) need very sharp drainage so you’d be better to plant them in large pots of gritty compost and then position these in the sunniest part of the garden

Strawberries can be moved under cover

now for an earlier crop. After forcing in this way the plants should be discarded.

Q My sweet peas look a bit stringy. – Louise Wilson, by email.

A Pinch out the growing tips and they should soon start to produce stronger growth.

Remove winter bedding and replace

with fresh pansies, violas and primulas. Feed small shrubs and other permanent plants that remain in these displays.