Q&A with Glenys Woollard

Do any fruit trees grow well by the coast?

It depends on how close you are to the sea, how much protection there is from salt winds, and the state of your soil. Provided you have enriched the ground with plenty of organic material (eg compost, seaweed, animal manure), feijoas should do well, and most berries - but you need a good windbreak. Lemons and some mandarins are also worth trying, while grapes often flourish behind the shelter of a wooden fence. Check neighbouring gardens for more inspiration.

Is it best to take cuttings with a 'heel'?

Sometimes. Such cuttings often strike more easily, though you need to prune any ragged edges back neatly. Hormone rooting compounds make up for a heel on other cuttings. Further considerations that influence whether or not a cutting will strike include the time of year (which varies according to the plant), the type of cutting (ie softwood or hardwood), the health of the plant the cutting came from, how quickly the cutting is planted, and prevention of moisture loss.

If you have a gardening question, email Glenys at glenyswoollard@clear.net.nz