B&Q's garden and DIY expert Richard Wilson is on hand to answer some of the best reader questions with handy tips and advice.
Got a DIY or garden question for B&Q's Richard? Email him at BandQexpert@channel4.com
A: With their white spring flowers and tasty summer fruit, blueberries make great patio plants. They’re happiest in well drained ericaceous (acidic) soil, in sun or dappled shade, watered little and often, ideally with rainwater. During the growing season, give them a fortnightly dose of Miracle Grow Ericaceous Liquid Plant Food.
A: For an easy life, look out for ergonomic tools, such as a 3 Pronged Cultivator, Transplanter and Trowel. Their clever design will ease pressure on the wrists, making for a much more comfortable gardening experience!
A: There is an inexpensive and simple solution to your problem – an Outdoor Socket Kit. The kit comes with a weather proof outdoor socket and is protected by a safety device called an RCD circuit breaker. To install it, you need to drill a hole through an external wall, close to the site of your socket. Thread the cable through the wall from the outside and connect it to the RCD plug on the inside (usually supplied in the kit). Plug the RCD into your existing indoor supply (13 amps) and press the reset button. The window should turn red and the outdoor socket should now work. Test the RCD before each use and, as with all electrical installation, if you‘re in any doubt, consult a professional electrician.
A: It always pays to look after external walls because poor pointing can lead to internal damp and damage. You will need a pointing tool, a pointing brick trowel, a bucket, a soft brush and a bag of ready-mixed mortar. The first job is to scrape out the loose and crumbling mortar. Then mix you r new mortar in a bucket (general purpose mortar should be mixed with water until stiff mix is achieved – do not make it sloppy), adding cement if necessary, to darken the mix to your desired colour. Put some of the on your trowel. Then, using a pointing tool, press the mix into the joints and allow it to almost dry (a cleaver trick is to flick water into joints first – this will help the new mortar adhere to the old mortar when you fill the joint). When semi dry, gently brush off any excess mortar. Remember to wash your tools regularly, and don’t let mortar dry on them.
A: The best material to use for this job is Moisture Contained Organic Mulch. It can be spread over a children’s play area and works as an impact- absorbing surface. It’s also easily removed when your kids have grown up. If you’re laying bark chippings over soil make sure there is a constant depth of 150mm and rake it regularly. If you’re laying it over concrete, you’ll need double depth.
Send your questions to Richard Wilson at BandQexpert@channel4.com >>
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