Gardening Questions

Stalybridge Library.  2009

Can I split Hellebores?

Hellebores flower from Christmas to Spring. If you need to split them this should be done in October. A method of splitting plants which causes less damage to the roots is to lift the plant out then put two garden forks back to back in the middle of the plant and slowly move the handles until the plant splits.

Can I split Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)?

Wait until the plant has died back before splitting. Lift the plant then put two garden forks back to back in the middle of the plant and slowly move the handles until the plant splits. This plant benefits fro being split when it is 3-4 years old.

Are azaleas better in pots or in the ground?

In winter Azaleas like full light, but prefer shade in the summer. Containers can be easier to more to achieve this, or they can be planted under deciduous trees which offers the same effect.

I have a small lawn but there is a lot of rubble under the garden area and the lawn has more moss than grass. Should I treat it or have it re-laid? It isn’t in a particularly shady area.

You can re-turf the lawn. Use a springbok rake to get as much of the moss off as possible. Put a 1 inch depth of soil over the top and lay the turf over this. Now (May) is the perfect time of year to do this.  If the rubble is causing the lawn to be lumpy and uneven, dig the stones out and make sure that the soil you place on top of the lawn is level before laying the new turf.

I am trying to grow tomato plants for the first time. How do I care for them? They are currently in small pots.

Tomato plants are aggressive feeders and do not like the cold. Move the plants into 2 litre pots. They don’t need a lot of heat but they must be kept away from chills and cold draughts. The first to second week of June is usually the best time to move them outside. 

Keep up to five trusses on each plant. Keep the plants moist, water them every day and keep them in full sun. 

Feed the plants at least once per week. Choose a fertiliser that’s high in Potassium.

To avoid infestations of White Fly and Green Fly, catch the aphids early and rub them off with your finger tips. Keeping French Marigolds near your tomato plants will attract pests to the marigolds rather than the tomatoes.