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’ve tried several times to establish a wildflower meadow, but after a few years there’s little to show for it. How can I create one that will last? – Amy Barrett, Edinburgh.
A High soil fertility is the usual cause of meadows failing. Using a seed mix that includes yellow rattle will help eradicate strong-growing grasses, but a better way is to swap from seeds to plug plants of primroses, violets and other wild flowers that cope better with fertile soil.
Before adding grass clippings to the
compost heap, mix them with twiggy material and dampen if dry.
Q Why have my irises developed a hole in the middle of the clump? – Tom Evans, Dumfries.
A Irises gravitate outwards as they mature, leaving an empty centre behind them. Dig up and divide the clump, discarding old sections of rhizome and replanting the fresh sections at soil level.
Water tomatoes regularly once the fruits form to prevent the skins from splitting.
Q How do I stop birds from flying into my sitting room window? It happens regularly and several have died as a result. – Wendy Chalmers, Beith.
A Hang a wind chime or something similar on the outside of the window to deter birds from mistaking the reflection for part of the garden.
Keep a watering can in the greenhouse
and allow water to heat up to prevent cold shock when watering young plants.
Q How do I tell the difference between vine weevils and harmless garden beetles? – Wendy McArthur, Dundonald.
A Vine weevils are brown with cream speckles. Another tell-tale sign of their presence is notches on leaves which they have nibbled.
Tulips to be left in pots for a second
year should be given a weekly liquid feed until all foliage has died down.
Q How do I get rid of mint that has escaped from a pot and run wild in my garden? – Graeme Clark, Burnside.
A Dig out every stalk, going deep to remove all the roots. Alternatively make a lot of Mojitos.
When removing a tree from the garden,
leave behind a section of trunk as this makes it easier to lever out the stump.