GARDEN GURU

Q I would normally hard-prune my climbing roses in late winter, but they are still in flower due to the mild weather. Should I proceed?

Hannah Tobin

A Yes. Remove dead, diseased or dying branches, then tie in new shoots to fill gaps in supports. Trim back sideshoots that bore flowers by two-thirds, before cutting out any old branches if the plant is heavily congested.

Q I used to hang up fat balls for birds, but found that crumbs dropped to the ground and attracted rats. What feeders could I use that would eliminate this problem?

Evelyn Gottlieb

A Garden birds can be messy eaters, so hanging feeders fitted with a seed catcher tray are a good choice. Prevent a build-up of spilt seeds and their casings by clearing trays daily. A hanging bird-feeder with seed catcher tray costs £15.99 from notonthehighstreet.com.

Q My indoor azalea has flowered well but is now looking a bit tired. What can I do to perk it up?

Jill Marsh

A Move the plant into a slightly larger container using ericaceous compost. Ensure compost remains consistently moist at all times and spritz foliage once a week with a handheld spray filled with water. When new growth appears in spring, give it a half-strength dose of Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Liquid Plant Food.