GARDENING ADVICE

PREPARE soil for planting bare-root deciduous trees during winter by mixing in organic ma er and ensuring soil drains well. GIVE hedges a last shaping trim before winter. TREAT your mum to a plant – perhaps a po ed cyclamen or miniature rose – for Mother’s Day (May 8). PLANT climbers such as bougainvillea and mandevilla in tropical and sub-tropical gardens. CLEAN algae from paths and steps to prevent accidental slips in winter.