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Q – Do you have any advice on how to combat Mare’s Tale using green manures?Ìý I’ve heard turnips can work.

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Bob – Equisetum is what you’re talking about.Ìý It’s very invasive with roots that can cover several acres so you’re unlikely to get rid of it. Potatoes/turnips don’t actually do anything, it’s the digging and turning of the ground that gets rid of the weeds.

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Chris – What you could do is lay a root membrane over it and then use a no dig system

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Q – Does putting rhubarb in a hole ahead of the seed help protect the seed or is that an Old Wives’ Tale?

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Pippa – It makes no sense I’m afraid

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Chris – Theory is that raw rhubarb is unpleasant to eat and therefore it will be unpleasant to threats to the seed, but there is no science behind it. But if it makes you happy then keep doing it!

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Q – I’ve got some skirret.Ìý When is the best time to harvest and propagate?

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Bob – You should sow all the seeds, select the best two, cross them, then sow them all again, select the best, cross them etc.Ìý Keep selecting the biggest roots and in five-to-ten years you might start getting really big ones.Ìý

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Q - ÌýI need to move some raspberry canes whilst restoring a fence – what’s the best way of doing this?

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Chris – I think you can do it however you like. They are really invasive and strong, you’ll be ok.

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Bob – If they’re Autumn varieties you can cut them right back now and they’ll be totally fine

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Q – I have a ‘Duke of York’ peach tree in a pot. Last winter it was in the greenhouse to protect against peach leaf curl.Ìý When should I cover it now it’s outside?

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Pippa – Erect a temporary, open-sided shelter to cover it.Ìý Against a wall is ideal.Ìý Cover it in polythene rather than fleece.Ìý Uncover once the leaves start to break.

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Q – I’d like to grow some wild flowers on the bank of our local brook. Suggestions? They’d need to compete with the brambles and nettles that are already there.

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Chris – Brambles and nettles are great indicator plants; you’ve got deep, fertile soil.Ìý You’re going to struggle to compete with them without eradicating them.Ìý With a brook, always check who owns it before doing anything

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Q – How can I encourage my husband to enjoy gardening?

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Pippa – Hopefully having attended GQT will have done the trick!

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Bob – Don’t! Your garden is yours, keep it to yourself!

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Chris – Take the Dicentra ‘Bleeding Heart’ when it’s in flower.Ìý Pick the bloom and turn the heart upside down and open it.Ìý It looks like a naked lady bathing in an enamel bath tub! That should do it!

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