APRIL CLIPPINGS

PRUNE CAMELLIAS, JAPANESE QUINCE AND SPRING-FLOWERING CLEMATIS

as soon as they finish flowering. The plants then have a year to regrow flowering wood.

PLANT OR POT GREENHOUSE TOMATOES.

Place bottomless pots 17cm across over beds or growing bags and plant into these. French marigolds nearby will ward off white fly.

PLANT OUT SWEET PEAS,

remembering they need a deep, rich soil in which to grow, and unless they are a dwarf patio cultivar, a wigwam to climb.

SOW CARROTS AND PARSNIPS

only if the soil is warming up and drying out. They need a stone-free or raised bed for straight roots.

FAQ

How can I stop slugs and snails eating my dahlias?

Pot the tubers first, as good-sized plants with tougher leaves will steal a march or molluscs. Then surround with defences such as wool pellets, sharp grit or slug pubs.

My lemon tree has survived winter in a cool room, but its leaves are sickly and yellow.

Citrus are hungry feeders. Begin feeding using summer citrus fertiliser and consider potting on into a slightly larger pot using a citrus mix or John Innes No 2 with a little added sharp sand and composted bark.