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at Christmas when relatives out-stay their welcome. But as a gardener my shed is entirely functional... no stove, no bookshelf, no biscuits, just the tools of the trade.One of the previous owners of my house was an Italian family, and Gino, the father

. Some emerged along the drive at Christmas, and from the responses to my daffodil blog it seems lots of other people had super-early (if somewhat confused) daffodils.My May daffs are in what we grandly call the 'picking plot', which is a slightly unkempt

going in fresh herbs.The plants didn't do much before Christmas and in January and February they just sat there, looking rather forlorn, pinched and chilly - a bit like me. But, once the longer days and milder nights of March arrived, they sprang

I've been madly planting brassicas as if they're going out of fashion. Perhaps Brussels sprouts have never actually been in fashion - but they are with me. I greatly missed harvesting my own sprouts for Christmas lunch.This year, to make sure I don

of all.Other than a bit of slug damage (you didn't think I'd get off that easily did you?) the plants look very good. The fledgling sprouts are forming nicely and each top knot of leaves is lush and sturdy. It all bodes rather well for Christmas dinner

that arrived at Christmas, yet seem indifferent to real rodents.

It feels like Christmas has come early at our house. I’ve been given an apple press, and am juicing this year’s bumper crop of fruit. The kids and I are pushing barrows of apples, from our mini orchard to the kitchen.Eric Robson, the chairman

.SeptemberNovember - March20 minutesCineraria plants x2Cyclamen plants (miniature, a mix of red and white) x6Ivy plants x4Square containerMulti-purpose compostCrocksPosition the container in a sheltered spot and where you want some winter interest, and place a layer

with a striking monotone contrast.SeptemberNovember - February20 minutesDogwood, Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea'Snowdrop bulbs, Galanthus nivalis x12Lilyturf, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'Very large, tall potJohn Innes No. 3 compost

, and Helleborus niger, the Christmas rose, which starts to flush pink in January and February.Januarywinteran hourHelleborus niger 10cm pot x3Carex buchananii 2 litre pot x130cm satin zinc cube potPeat free, multi-purpose compostElectric drillCrocksWatering can