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If your shed is anything like mine, it could probably do with a jolly good clear out. My shed becomes the repository for all sorts of bits and bobs through the summer months. Netting, canes, saved seeds, old labels and pots, a half-eaten packet of well-past-their-best Jaffa cakes...

I'm passionate about spring bulbs. They're not the poshest of flowers, but I couldn’t bear to live without them – especially daffodils. I'm addicted to miniature daffs, especially tete a tete, and at this time of year when everyone else gets all christmassy, I get all bulby! I a...

We seem to be getting all possible November weather at once. It's a constantly changing merry-go-round of rain, wind, sunshine and frost, all on the same day, if not in the same hour.It’s all rather Wuthering Heights up here on the wind-blasted, rain-lashed hill, albeit without a...

Listening recently to the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, I was horrified to learn that Lasius neglectus, an invasive ant species, could soon be arriving in British gardens. The species, thought to have originated in western Asia, is already established in France, Germany, Belgiu...

There are times when it is, quite frankly, just too freezing to do any work in the garden. In some ways I'm glad of the harsh weather; it should help to finish off garden pests such as slugs, and spores of fungal diseases such as tulip fire.But the downside of the cold weather i...

I'm really loving this freezing weather. My hands and feet aren't very happy, though, despite my recent investment in 'serious' socks. What's making me so happy is the thought of all those garden pests perishing during the frosty nights.I'm hoping next year my plot will be free o...

According to the papers it's been the coldest start to December for 30 years - an average of only 1.7° C.The cold weather has hopefully killed a lot of pests, but I've not been able to get on with many of my jobs on the plot. I've not been able to dig the soil, mulch my beds or d...

What a freezing start to 2009 it's been. It's absolutely perishing down here in Bath and must be almost unbearable further north, or east for that matter. The watering can outside my back door is solid with ice and even the curly kale is looking under the weather.I think I'll jus...

After my shame-faced confession of last week, I thought I'd better get up to the plot and see how everything was doing.The leeks were just lovely so I harvested a few for tea. I used a couple of leeks as well as the tops from the others for a leek and potato soup. The green tops ...

What a week we've had. The weather has been gorgeous — almost summery. The big blackthorn tree on the edge of the plot is blooming beautifully and the birds have been flitting about in it, acting friskily and obviously checking things out with a view to nesting sometime soon. It ...