Potting Shed

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.

I’ve heard about forcing rhubarb. How do I do it? – M Austin, by email

Place a large container, without holes, over the crown in order to exclude all light. This will give you young, sweet stems around three weeks earlier than normal. Leave it four years before forcing again to allow the plant to recover.

My winter heathers need reducing in size, how do I do this without damaging the plants? – Anne White, Uddingston

Wait until flowering has finished then shear over the plants, removing last year’s growth but retaining some foliage. Don’t cut into brown wood as the heathers may not regenerate if you do.

My lemon tree is dropping its leaves. What can I do to rescue it? – Hannah Black, Irvine

This is a sign your tree is getting too much or too little water and you’ll need to work out which one it is. Remember to keep your tree in a bright but cool spot indoors and to give it a balanced winter feed every other watering.

Why is my ornamental cherry tree becoming covered in lichen. Will this damage the tree and should I remove it? – Mrs B Mitchell, Alexandra

Lichen grows in damp areas, but it does no damage, so don’t be tempted to remove it. It only appears where pollution levels are low.

Can I plant hydrangeas beneath mature trees? – Liz Clark, Dumfries

Hydrangeas are woodland shrubs so will thrive beneath trees, but you’ll need to dig out large planting holes amongst the tree roots and keep the hydrangeas well watered until established.