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Hidden from view by its terracotta overcoat for the past few months, it's impossible to know exactly how the rhubarb beneath is developing without peeping. Rhubarb forcing  jars are wonderful objects in their own right, and mine takes up residence

!Slugs are everywhere, although they hide away pretty well until my back is turned, then come out in force to feed. By sheltering during the day and emerging under cover of darkness, they escape my attention as well as that of many wildlife predators. The occasional

season has arrived.An established clump covered with a terracotta forcing jar has come good again, as it does every year without much attention at all. I know it's ready when the little terracotta lid is lifted high atop rhubarb leaves pushing through

in the past but always worry about catching and harming wildlife unintentionally, so this year I tried making do without.Well, I've learned the hard way. Until the birds in this country learn the real meaning of sharing I'll be forced to resort to netting next

.I'm happy we haven't experienced any harsh late frosts. These could prove the kiss of death for delicate wisteria flowers, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that May treats me kindly with mild weather. Frost is a damaging force, prematurely ruining flower

medium around. The garden industry was all a buzz back in the late 90s when millions tuned in to Ground Force. Garden centre tills rang out at almost deafening levels as 'the Dimmock Effect' encouraged many people to build water features and makeover

excavations.For many years I boasted to friends that were complaining about squirrels that I didn't have any visitors, but they've now arrived in force. On one occasion I counted three on my lawn!My squirrels are as bold as they come. When I open the door

found a sheltered spot to hibernate, they risk being killed, too.This hard weather will certainly have been challenging for hungry birds searching for food, but hunger will have forced blackbirds and others to search ever more intently for food, so I

and seedlings rather than heating the whole greenhouse. The only problem is that I soon outgrow the propagator, forcing me to move seedlings onto the cooler bench alongside. What if the snow returns?None of us wants to waste heat or money, and I'm certainly

've had! I can't remember anything quite like this before. Can you?Let's put to one side the travel problems and disappointments of missed mail-order deliveries. We all have a story to tell, I'm sure.Forced to work from home last week when all the overhead