Ask The Expert

My pond has been cleaned out of fish by what appears to be an otter. Would it be safe to use galvanised netting over the pond? I have heard conflicting reports about it being harmful to fish.

In a rectangle small flower bed, I have a small water feature which consists of a tank, sunken into the ground , the capacity of which is about 15 to 20 litres. The problem: The water smells within a few days due to earth worms, the odd slug and wood lice falling into the water tank, and I guess this is part of the cause of the smell.

I bought a Camellia shrub in 2012 I think it was (sorry can't remember what type but think it is a red flowering Camellia) however to date it has never flowered. It was in a small pot when I purchased it from a supermarket. I re-potted it last year into an 8-10 inch pot because it had not flowered.

I want to apply another large outdoor pack of nemasys vine weevil killer just in case, but as growth appears good I wonder if I should order an autumn 2014 /spring 2015 pack on basis that if no grubs are currently active then I would be wasting the spring/autumn 2014 box.

We have had a Leatherjacket & Chafer grub problem for several years and have tried various products to eradicate the problem without success

I have inherited an apricot tree in a garden in France which I suspect is at least 25 years old. Most of the fruit falls off the tree prior to maturity and I suspect this is because the tree is infested with an insect which eats and/or perforates the leaves

I am hoping to buy a Victoria plum tree and a green gage, or Golden gage as you have it advertised, however, but we do not have much room

How long after chafer grub treatment do I need to wait until I can re-seed my lawn?

I am not sure if I really need three tier staging but can see the attraction of having the extra tier. Any advice you can give me in this respect would be much appreciated