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 to grow blueberries on my allotment, but they never do very well. How can I improve their performance? –Q J. All Webb, Styles Loch gelly. linked with returns

A Blueberries need acidic soil, but in parts of Fife the ground is alkaline in composition. You’ll improve your chances of a good crop by growing your blueberries in large tubs of ericaceous compost.

Remove wild foxgloves from among

named varieties to prevent the two strains from crossing.

Q Quite a few of the plants in my borders have developed dry, brown spots even though I’ve been watering them regularly. What has caused this? – Lena White, Dalbeattie.

A I suspect that sun scorch is the problem. When the sun hits water droplets on leaves its strength is magnified. You can solve it by watering early in the day or later in the evening.

Lift and divide primulas after flowering,

keeping them damp after replanting.

Q Why have the lettuce seeds in my greenhouse failed to germinate? – Wendy Robertson, by email.

A Hot weather is the most likely reason. Lettuce seed won’t germinate above 27C and the temperature in a greenhouse can easily reach that level. Next time, try placing your seed trays in a cooler spot.

Dead-head bedding plants daily to

encourage a continuous display of fresh flowers.

Q The slabs in my path are broken but quotes for replacing them have been very high. Is there another way of making them look better? – Tom Docherty, Greenock.

A You could lift the slabs and cover your path with fine gravel or make a feature of the broken slabs by planting thyme and other rock plants between them, allowing them to grow over the concrete.

Provide moisture to indoor orchids by

placing an ice cube on top of the compost and allowing it to dissolve.

Q Why have the agapanthuses, which I planted back in March, put on so little growth? – D Webster, by email.

A Cold weather in spring has held back some plants. Be patient and they should perform better in their second year.

Remove plastic bags from pots

containing camellia cuttings, but monitor carefully to prevent drying out.