Gardening: Readers' questions answered by Brian Kidd (April 19)
Q: I saved some seed from my tiny, blue-flowering clematis. My neighbour calls it Virgin’s Bower. Do I sow the seeds indoors? FL, Widley.
A: I have one of these and it is very vigorous with thousands of flowers. It’s rampant and will cover a pergola in two years. Sow the seeds now indoors in a very sandy compost and they should germinate in three weeks.
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Hide AdQ: My neighbour grows climbing French beans and is always showing off about them. I prefer runner beans. Which produces the most fruit? LD, Fareham.
A: As a rule runner beans produce most!
Q: As I am getting older I have decided to summer-prune my apples from now. When can I start to pinch out the side shoots? FL, Hambledon.
A: Once the shoots have produced four inches in length the tips can be nipped off. This job can be done over a period but summer pruning ensures you have a good crop which is easy to pick.
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