Potting Shed

Welcome to my potting shed! This is the column where I’ll share all my gardening hints and tips – and I’ll try to answer any queries you may have.

My indoor yukka has grown too large. Can I prune it? – Melanie Ferguson, by email

Cut it back and new shoots should appear from the bare trunk. Chop the section you remove into 50cm lengths, plant in pots of gritty compost and these should also root.

I’m planning on growing an evergreen hedge, what do you recommend? – L Mullan, Cardross

Photinia ‘Pink Crispy’ is an evergreen shrub with marbled foliage and the new shoots emerge bright pink in spring. It also has red berries in autumn.

Can I grow a waterlily in a half-barrel? – Ed Grainger, Melrose

Standard waterlilies need a depth of 30-75cm of water above the growing point of the plant and dwarf varieties will grow in half this depth, so you could grow either in a half-barrel.

Is it too late to cut back my lavender? – Fiona Stewart, Kilsyth

The best time to prune lavender is as soon as the flowers start to fade. If you didn’t do it then, it is best to wait until the first signs of new growth appear in spring.

I tried growing chillies this year but I’ve not had much success. What’s the best way of encouraging them to crop? – Mike Tait, Aberdeen

If you started off your seed any later than March, then your plants simply haven’t had time to produce fruits. Seedlings need warmth and potting on the plants as they grow is also important, as is pinching out the tip.