Slugs are eating my crops. Is there a natural way to stop them?

Slug Gone is made from wool – the pellets irritate the slug’s foot, which keeps them from reaching your plants. Alternatively, setting jars of beer into the soil of your pots will trap them.

How to GROW YOUR OWN MINI ORCHARD

Yes, it’s definitely possible to grow fruit in a container on your balcony or terrace! Patio or miniature fruit trees have been bred especially for their dwarf size, making them ideal for growing in large pots.

* Fruit trees love sunshine, so position in full sun to produce a sweeter crop. Use a good-sized container, such as one with a 60cm diameter, to allow the plant sufficient room to grow and to ensure it’s really stable.

* Fill your container with a soil-based compost, such as John Innes No 3. Make sure you feed and water regularly. Position large sea pebbles to cover compost, as this reduces water evaporation and will prevent the tree blowing over.

* You should get your harvest within one to two years. Trim lower branches in winter. For inspiration, look at the Thompson & Morgan mini fruit tree collection in 9cm pots: cherry ‘Sylvia’; apple ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Gala’; pear ‘Conference’; plum ‘Black Amber’; from £14.99 (thompson-morgan.com).