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Last year we made a momentous decision. After many years of buying real Christmas trees to decorate our home over the festive period, we decided to buy a fake one.Previously we had endless scenarios like this:"Are you going to get the tree

easy when I was a child. I always had a list of things without which life would be unbearable. One particular Christmas (around 1966), I remember the choice was between a Johnny Seven or a Secret Sam. Both were complicated weapons systems that fired

Being a gardener, and partial to the odd gift, I like to think myself someone who knows a thing or two about Christmas gifts for gardeners. But I'm amazed at how often we all get it wrong. Over the years I've received some great presents: a pair

chippings or compost.Where I live Christmas trees must be left in a brown bin (for food and garden waste), to ensure they will be recycled, otherwise they end up in landfill. I know this because last year I called the council's recycling department and asked

?" I hear you cry. Because 'Tis the Season to be mulching - every part of the garden should have at least 2" (50mm) of mulch over everything. This is, I think, the most vital of all garden tasks. In spite of all the chipping and tipping I still cannot

I always really enjoy Christmas. I enjoy it for all the smiles, the people, the happiness, and of course the Christmas pudding. True, as a veggie there is never any turkey on my plate, and as one who is none too fond of sprouts, they too were off

, restaurants, and - ahem - bird tables.I'm not sure how I'd feel if I attracted rats to my garden. I don't mind them (that is to say, I'm not offended by their existence) and I'd never kill one, but I wouldn't like them in my garden (it's only 4m², after all

settle down by the Christmas tree, and while the kids enjoy the repeats on television I can get down to the serious business of writing my seed orders for 2008. And what a year it's going to be if the seed catalogues are to be believed.Many seed companies

Oh snow, where were you in London on Christmas day? Why are you here now, hampering our efforts to burn off mince pies through brisk gardening? There's nothing I can do in my garden, except ponder when the compost heap will start breaking down again

a very pretty white flower. However, all this is about to change as, my friend Cleve West will be forgoing his Christmas dinner, in order that his parsnips are flowering in time to be included in the Chelsea Flower Show garden he is designing