A unique way to display Christmas cactus
The vibrant blooms of a Christmas cactus bring a splash of colour to the winter months, and finding a unique way to display them can add a touch of personal charm to your home decor. One ingenious and sustainable method…
Growing hyacinths in water
Growing fragrant hyacinths indoors, especially during the cold winter months, is a delightful and easy form of ‘forcing,’ a technique that encourages bulbs to flower earlier than they would naturally. For the best and quickest results, start with ‘prepared’ hyacinth…
Plant and tidy Hellebores
Hellebores, often known as the Christmas or Lenten Rose, are a magnificent addition to any winter garden. While they might seem like a costly investment at the nursery, their enduring nature, evergreen foliage, and spectacular mid-winter bloom make them excellent…
Winter tool cleaning and sharpening for spring
One of the most satisfying jobs in midwinter, when the weather outside makes gardening impossible, is retreating to the garden shed for some therapeutic tool maintenance. When it’s too cold, wet, or dark to be outside in the garden, cleaning…
Reduce plastic waste in your garden
The push toward sustainability has made a profound impact on how we approach our daily lives, and the garden is no exception. As environmental awareness grows, many gardeners are actively seeking ways to lessen their reliance on plastic, particularly the…
Bringing a pot-grown Christmas tree home for the festive season
Choosing a pot-grown Christmas tree is a wonderful decision, offering the classic festive look with the sustainable bonus of being a living plant you can keep. When purchasing one in December, look carefully to ensure you’re getting a container-grown tree,…
You can still plant spring bulbs in December
December is still an excellent time to plant many spring-flowering bulbs. The common wisdom suggests planting in autumn, but this period remains a viable and often necessary window for success. As long as the ground is not frozen solid, you…
Keeping your poinsettia merry and bright long past Christmas
Hundreds of thousands of vibrant poinsettias will be exchanged as gifts this Christmas, and with a little careful attention, these iconic holiday plants can stay beautiful for months to come. While we know them as compact, colourful houseplants, it’s important…
The festive crunch: Harvesting sprouts on a frosty morning
There is a quintessential, often overlooked, ritual of the Christmas season that connects us directly to the garden: the harvesting of Brussels sprouts on a cold, frosty December morning. While many people buy their sprouts pre-bagged, nothing compares to the…
A winter lifeline: Supporting active hedgehogs
As the festive lights twinkle and the temperature drops, we often assume all wildlife is tucked away in deep hibernation. However, this isn’t strictly true, especially for hedgehogs. While many hedgehogs will be sleeping soundly, some hedgehogs forgo hibernation and…