Quick Qu estions
Can almonds be grown successfully outdoors?
Mark Elmes, Dorking, Surrey ‘Ingrid’ and ‘Robijn’ are crosses of almonds and peaches, which both produce fine-flavoured nuts, well-suited to UK conditions. Either should prove successful outdoors on a sunny wall in mild areas. They’re self-fertile but you can help the process with a soft brush if few bees are active. Because flowering is in early spring, be ready with a few layers of fleece to protect blossom at night if frost is forecast.
Why has my box foliage turned orange?
Sue Hulme, by email The leaf discoloration is due to environmental stress, probably caused by the intensely hot, dry spell in summer. Although tolerant of full sun, box thrives in deep shade. Similar symptoms can also emerge where box sits in heavy waterlogged soils over winter. Clip over in spring and apply a general- purpose fertiliser such as Growmore. If the weather’s dry, water well once a week in summer.
How can I use moss from scarifying?
It’s best consigned to your municipal green waste recycling as moss is difficult to compost in small, domestic compost heaps as insufficient heat is created. As a mulch the material gets wet and compacts. For mulching, use more open material such as garden compost, well-ro ed manure or composted bark. It’s also possible that the moss would root or grow from spores, while grass or weeds might grow from any seed in the scarifications.