Quick QUESTIONS
What has bored small holes into the middle of my potatoes?
Ed Reynolds, by email Subterranean keeled slugs are a possibility but large numbers of small, circular holes are most likely to have been caused by wireworms. These are especially troublesome when vegetables are grown on old grassy areas but the only effective way to diminish them is by regularly cultivating the soil so they are brought to the surface where birds will eat them.
Why have the leaves of my container-grown weeping willow turned brown?
Carla Leigh, by email Weeping willows won’t thrive in a container, even a large one. The plant has an enormous thirst for water and you can’t satisfy this in a confined space. If you don’t have room to plant it in the garden, well away from the house, try the Kilmarnock willow, a smaller species which also weeps and would probably succeed in a large tub.
What has stripped the leaves of my Solomon’s seal?
Bethany Richens, by email These will be the larvae of the Solomon’s seal sawfly. They eat extremely quickly and to control them you must check you plants daily and use a safe, contact insecticide when they are first seen.
How can I encourage frogs into my garden?
Anne Boyle, by email
You say you can’t have a pond because your little grandchildren live with you, but frogs must have cool, damp conditions or they will die. So put down boxes or make small shelters in the coolest, most damp part of your garden. If you have an area where you can allow the grass or other vegetation to grow taller and cooler, this will help, too.