Gardening

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77. When's the best time to plant herbs? You can buy pre-potted herbs from your local garden centre all year round, but tender hers such as basil are only sold from May onwards. Seeds are cheaper but, for those whose fingers aren't so green, they aren't always reliable. For an early summer crop, sow seeds between February and April.

78. I'm away a lot - any suggestions for a low-maintenance garden? Choose slow-growing, drought-tolerant plants such as box (which adds structure) and phormium (left, great for its bold shapes). Lavender provides colour and scent, while silverbush, which has a long flowering period, produces beautiful white flowers. Herbs like sage, thyme and oregano don't need pruning too often and stand up well to our new climatic conditions. You could also choose stone paving instead of a lawn, and use gravel to suppress weeds in borders.  

79. All I have is a windowsill and a damp back step. Which plants would pretty them up? In summer, try growing seasonal flowering plants such as busy Lizzies, pansies and violas on your windowsill. Cyclamen and winter pansies would also do well in cooler months. Also choose these for your step if it's small, but if it's big enough, a shade-loving camellia, rhododendron or azalea.

80. Which garden looks are cool right now? Clever lighting schemes are a great way to make a stylish impact. Plants highlighted with under-lighting or smaller lights threaded through a lawn will instantly update a traditional garden. Striking, modern topiary – a world away from clipped hedges – is having a moment. Look out for abstract-shaped topiaries, such as those sold by Clifton Nurseries.

81. I have a small terrace. Could I grow any vegetables there? Of course! If your garden gets six hours of sunlight each day, you can grow veg in anything that holds compost. Recycled crates, bags, plastic dustbins or tins can look striking in a small garden or on a terrace. To start with, try your hand at root vegetables and salad staples (such as lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and courgettes). For a successful crop, water plants regularly and feed them fortnightly with liquid fertilizer.
 

82. I would really like to have my own allotment but I have heard that it is quite a challenge to get one. What do you advise? A decent plot is like gold dust, so waiting lists are long. Make enquiries at your local authority, as most allotments are allocated and managed by your council, even if they don't own the site. There are also trusts who run them and again, local councils would be the first place to make enquiries. Expect to pay around £32.30 a year (depending on where you live) for the standard 250 sq m, (or 10-pole plot, if you want to get with the lingo). If that's too daunting, start with a pint-sized 125 sq m.  

83. How do I keep neighbour's cats out of my garden? There are no plants that will really repel a cat. A movement detecting watering device may help, tough. Or get a cat of your own to fight them off! 

84. I'd like to compost but only have a small patio and am worried about the smell! If compost is working properly, it shouldn't smell. Most commercially available composting containers work well and provide plenty of compost if instructions are followed.  

85. Is it easier to grow from seeds or cuttings? Both have their merits. Plants that take well from a cutting tend to also grow easily from seed, so beginners should start with cuttings and progress to seeds as their confidence grows.  

86. Any suggestions for super fragrant plants that would mask smells such as food? Most food smells will overpower anything a plant can produce. However, pot plants such as jasmine, gardenias, narcissi and hyacinths all are super fragrant. Or just have lots of cut flowers – particularly lillies and sweet peas – around the house.  

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