Rocket is happy in a container and can be sown now. Select a sheltered, well-lit spot with well-drained soil, then scatter the seeds in a ½in-deep drill. Once the seedlings germinate and are big enough to handle, thin to 4in or 6in apart; keep the soil lightly moist and free from weeds.
Harvest on a “cut and come again” basis when they are 6in tall.
On a mild and dry day, check the terrace for weeds that are growing through gaps, using a weeding knife to scrape them out.
To stop them reappearing, repair the gaps by removing loose debris, brush in a dry mixture of sand and cement, then lightly sprinkle over the surface with water. Cover the repaired areas with plastic sheeting and leave for a day until the mixture has set.
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Now that clumps of chives, and mint are showing signs of life, you should lift, divide and replant any overcrowded specimens.
Readers’ questions
I saw some uvularias on holiday in America. Will they grow in this country?
L Maddren, by email
Uvularia grandiflora (merry bells) has arching stems, to 15in high, and pendant, lily-like yellow flowers in the mid to late spring. It is a hardy perennial that naturally lives in woodland but can be raised in any partially shaded area, as long as the soil is humus-rich, reasonably moisture-retentive and well drained. The rhizomes should be planted about 1in deep and 10in apart in the early spring. They are available from Anglia Bulb Company (01206 272728, angliabulbs.com).
Can you recommend an ornamental crab apple for my bird-friendly garden?
B Smith, Pulborough
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Malus × robusta ‘Red Sentinel’, which reaches 15ft, is grown for its masses of white flowers in late spring and its large, scarlet-coloured autumn fruits, which remain on the branches throughout winter, providing birds with a long-lasting food supply. The canopy of branches also has the advantage of forming excellent nesting and song post sites for birds.