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early in winter before. I’m sure my friendly BBC weather forecaster will provide me with plenty more weather statistics when I next tune in.So, what does this mean for our plants and gardens? Firstly, take very great care walking out into your garden

novice veg growers make is to take on too much. When you are short of free time, restrict yourself to a small salad patch, a raised bed or some tubs of veg on the patio watered by a home-made irrigation system. Few of us have time to grow absolutely

elsewhere. Growing nectar-rich plants is a good way to entice them in, but they won't nest in your flower beds. Butterflies lay eggs in long grass, nettles and thistles (depending on the species), while bumblebees prefer undisturbed messy areas

raised bed, as you need to consider drainage issues and the additional weight put on the shed. But it can be done without buying expensive kits. And, while the plants won't put on much growth before spring, I think the roof looks great. The shed has

for drainage.More on growing alpinesMaking an alpine path and gravel bedPlanting up alpines video projectMaking an alpine container displayCreating an alpine pebble display

This week it's looking like summer at last! I think we're all getting some sun and, boy, is it a welcome sight. I can almost see the plants shaking themselves off like damp dogs and settling down for a good sunbathe.Well it's certainly good to know

, he'll have Berryfields to work on too, and he says he can't wait to get his hands in the soil there.The first time I ever met Toby was at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden where he was working, and I remember admiring the willow-woven raised bed

'm choosing mine. Of course, I'm keen to make them welcome, and a dense bed of mixed salad leaves provides the perfect summer residence.I know the word 'organic' is batted around a lot nowadays, but possibly not always fully understood. Organic gardening isn

in this way, since the pressures of climate change force them to return to growing (more resilient) native plants using traditional methods. The Incas inspired me, too, despite the fact that I'll never have a mountain to carve a garden out of, or a waterfall

ground without forking too badly. Also, straight into the ground go beetroot, spinach and spring onions.To look at my veg garden you'd think I have a rebellious streak. I spent most of last winter digging up my straight 4’x10’ raised beds, in favour