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 Can I move a mature grape vine from a greenhouse that’s due to be demolished? Deborah Wilson, Paisley

A You can. but it will be hard work. Grapes produce very deep roots and you are going to have to dig these out in their entirety. Do this over the coming weeks or in early spring, first cutting back the top growth to 20cm.

Plant any remaining daffodil bulbs this week. Tulips can be planted until Christmas.

Q My beech hedge looks very sparse. – Jack McIntrye, Kelso.

A Cut it back quite hard over the winter then feed it in early spring. This will encourage new shoots. If you then trim it lightly every summer it will hold on to its leaves over the winter, helping to give it a thicker appearance.

Remove plant supports while tidying up borders. Clean and store for next year.

Q I’m fascinated by monkey puzzle trees but I know that they grow too big for most gardens. Can I grow one in a pot? – Lesley Donaldson, by email.

A Planting a monkey puzzle tree is a like bringing a tiger cub home from the pet shop – neither of them are domestic creatures – but you can grow a monkey puzzle in a pot, which will help to restrict its growth. Choose a very large container, use a soil-based compost and ensure it never dries out.

Move garden furniture into the shed or protect with covers outdoors.

Q Can I move a peony to a different area of my garden? – L. Edmonds, Duntocher.

A Yes, mark where it grows then wait until it is dormant before digging it up and replanting. Make sure the crown is just beneath the surface of the soil. Peonies stop flowering if planted too deeply.

Check stakes on trees to ensure that they are capable of withstanding winter gales. Slacken ties if these have become too tight against the trunk.

Q Can you suggest a ground cover plant that I can grow to fill up a bare space beneath shrubs? – T. Morrison, Inverurie.

A Tiarellas will grow quite happily in this sort of situation, but they grow best in humus-rich soil, so add plenty of leafmould or compost to the area and give them an annual mulch.

Remove leaves that have fallen onto shrubs and evergreen perennials to prevent them from causing rot.