MONTY DON

Show your Valentine how much you really care with a real rose bush instead of lifeless shopbought blooms, says our expert

QVoles in my compost bins have stopped me turning them. What shall I do?

Maurice Hollister, Norfolk

AEvery compost bin is home to a host of creatures – most too small to see, but also worms, slugs, mice, and even snakes and hedgehogs. All of them will move when you start to turn the compost, but moving the material layer by layer gives them time to avoid harm. If the pile is small, you could almost lift the whole thing and tip it out first.

QI planted my Arthur Bell climbing rose in summer but it hasn’t flowered. Do you have any advice?

Mike Hyde, Wiltshire

ARoses take a year or two to get established and it’s not uncommon for a climbing rose to be shy about flowering for a season or two. All you need is patience – after all, a rose is for life.

QI planted broad bean seeds (Aquadulce) in November, but they have sprouted and are

3in tall. I’ve protected them with cloches. What else should I do?

Steve Myers, Berks

AIt’s normal for autumn-sown broad beans to grow 3-6in before Christmas, then stall until spring. Just provide temporary support once they grow again.

Write to Monty Don at Weekend, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email monty.don@dailymail.co.uk. Please include your full name and address. We regret Monty can’t reply to letters personally.