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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

The night air is rent by unearthly shrieks. Stammered yelps and horrid guttural whimpers cut through the silence. It sounds like witches are murdering some poor soul deep in a well at the end of my garden. The foxes are out in force tonight

Flower Show. They have been grown without extra heat and no extra light in a greenhouse where the temperature does not drop below 4°C at night. This temperature protects from frost but does not force growth. Another good tip for those that want to bring

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

they are no longer a pest but something extremely beautiful - a classic example of a weed simply being a plant in the wrong place. There is a thick blanket of the creeping variety, through which the occasional cranesbill forces its head later in the season. Not much

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

diversion from the point of this blog, happens very seldom. Often it rains earlier and later but only on a few days every year are we forced to stay in bed. Meteorology, eh?Anyway, my point is that part of our route goes through the nearby woods. Most

. Some crops are deliberately left to bolt, developing flower stems and running to seed (which I collect). Mizuna, watercress and rocket have already set seed, and lettuces are starting to extend – forcing flower heads upwards.Choosing lettuces and salads