This is a good time to plant and restore a hedge. Hedges provide privacy, shelter and offer a fine background for beds and borders. If you are thinking of planting a new hedge, then take action this weekend. Deciduous shrubs such as hornbeam and beech are just about to stir into growth, while we are sufficiently well into the spring that conifers and broad-leafed evergreens will establish quickly if planted now.

When planting make sure the soil is in good order. Sound preparation and the incorporation of liberal quantities of well rotted organic matter will ensure the hedge grows evenly.

This is a good time to reshape a hedge that has become untidy or wayward. Both deciduous and evergreens can be cut back now. Even major surgery can be undertaken on those hedges such as privet and yew which regenerate freely from very old wood. For all hedges the object should be to create a living barrier that is narrower at the top than the base.

For the most part shears or hedge trimmers can be used to regain the form of a hedge, but secateurs must be employed when sizeable stems are being removed and for broad-leafed evergreens such as laurel. Never use shears on large leafed evergreens.

How beautiful hedges are, depends upon the care they receive, particularly feeding.

Many gardeners believe feeding a hedge will create excess growth and the necessity for more regular cutting. But it is more likely to improve the colour and quality of the foliage.

A liquid feed applied regularly throughout the summer will turn a jaded privet hedge into a bright green leafy barrier. A mulch of well rotted garden compost or animal manure will help to conserve moisture and to prevent the all too frequent leaf drop, especially in the centre of the hedge, that many gardeners experience with broad-leafed evergreens later in the summer. Pests and diseases sometimes afflict hedges. Spraying with a combined systemic insecticide and fungicide as soon as leafy growth is active, and about twice more during the growing season, will usually control any serious problems.

Philip Swindells

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Peach Schnapps is a compact orange-peach flowered nasturtium with gold and green marbled foliage.

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Q I want to grow a giant sunflower for the biggest sunflower competition. When should I sow it?

A Mid-March would be ideal if you can provide indoor protection and plenty of light. Outdoors, mid-April is soon enough, but care must be taken to protect emerging seedlings from any danger of frost at night. Pot grown plants can usually be planted out safely from mid-May onwards.

QMy mahonia plant is looking very overgrown and sick. The leaves are yellow and blotchy. How can I rejuvenate it?

A This plant regenerates quite quickly if cut to within 15cm of the ground.