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 Holes have started appearing in the leaves of my Viburnum opulus. – Mr G. Moffat, Inverurie.

A The culprit is likely to be the Viburnum beetle. In summer its larvae strip the soft parts from leaves. Chemical controls are available but if you hang feeders from the shrub, birds will visit and pick off the larvae.

Weed between onions by hand, not with

a hoe, to avoid damaging the roots.

Q We have a big garden with woods all around so there are deer nibbling on our plants. Is there an alternative to erecting a fence? – Mr & Mrs H. Walsh, Aviemore.

A Smelly sprays and sonic deterrents are available. Hanging coal tar soap from the surrounding trees might also help, along with growing pungent herbs such as mint or thyme.

Water squashes and pumpkins often

during dry spells and check for slugs and snails.

Q I had a Coprosma in my south-facing garden but lost it over the winter. Is it too tender for Scottish gardens? – L. Thomson.

A Coprosmas are very attractive evergreen shrubs but they aren’t hardy in Scotland. Grow in containers and over-winter them in a cool greenhouse, or take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer to replace plants killed by frosty.

Move sweetcorn outside now, planting in

blocks to ensure pollination. Mound up soil around growing stems to stabilise them.

Q I have a large evergreen agapanthus that has been in the same pot for seven years. Can I divide it? – Laura Tait, Glenrothes.

A Lift in early autumn, splitting into a couple of good-sized clumps and replanting in fresh compost. You may not get flowers until the divisions settle down again, which could take a couple of years.

Once sweet peas start flowering, keep

picking them regularly to encourage the production of more flower buds.

Q Why is my honeysuckle covered in a sort of white dust? - Mr A Moffat, Kilwinning.

A This is powdery mildew, caused by dry conditions at the roots. Honeysuckles can dry out, even when the rest of the garden is still damp. Cut off affected shoots, water well and mulch with leafmould.

Propagate perennial wallflowers after

flowering, removing new shoots with a slither of old wood attached. Pot in gritty compost in a shady cold frame until rooted.