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 My garden isn’t very interesting in autumn. What can I plant to brighten it up? – Maggie Woolman, Aberdeen.

A Anything with berries would do the trick. Cotoneaster, Pyracantha, Sorbus and Viburnums all have bright fruits that will give you weeks of colour and attract hungry birds.

Start preparing ground where you plan to plant bare root trees and shrubs, working leaf mould or compost into the soil and dig out generous planting holes.

Q I’ve moved to a garden with a birch tree. The trunk is covered in algae so looks more green than white. Can I remove this? -– Lorraine Donaldson, by email.

A Yes, just wash the trunk gently using warm water and a cloth and the beautiful silver colour will start to re-emerge.

Lift dahlia tubers, shaking off the soil, place in trays and cover with dry compost before storing for the winter.

Q The soil in one part of my garden is getting wetter. Is there any way of effectively draining it? – Mr D. Cameron, Stirling.

A You could dig a drainage ditch, but if this is an ongoing problem then an alternative would be to create a pond, planting bog garden species around it.

Houseplants need less water over the winter, but central heating can dry them out so stand species such as spathiphyllum (peace lily) on trays of damp gravel.

Q My magnolia grew rapidly this year and a few branches are now spreading across the path. Can I cut these off? – Ian Wilson, Lanark.

A Yes, but wait until next summer as cuts made to magnolias during the winter can fail to heal.

Avoid mulching close to the trunks of shrubs and trees to prevent diseases from developing.

Q I have some phlox I want to propagate. Have I left it too late? – Mrs G. White, Ellon.

A No, you’ve still got time to take cuttings of phlox and other herbaceous plants.

Lay fleece over borderline-hardy plants when frost is forecast but remove it during spells of good weather.