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if I leave it until the suggested time of 'after the first frost'. It's true that a zapping by freezing temperatures will make for better sloe gin, but me, I'm going to simply pop the sloes in the freezer. It has exactly the same effect and because

There is something special about one-offs, whether you are in an art gallery, shopping for shoes or in the garden. Something that does its own thing always has extra appeal.So it was with great delight that we watched as this little daffodil edged

I reckon that spring is in the air, albeit intermittently. The daffodils have been stirring (in tandem with the snowdrops!) and I have the urge to spring clean the greenhouse.A good clear out makes a lot of sense - it's good to make space for all

of Gardeners’ Question Time, talks endlessly about his apple press. His evangelism has converted me to presses, which are a wonderful way to use up those less-than-perfect fruits.You can press the whole apple, but I always chop mine in half, to check

I suppose I am very, very lucky to have known Geoffrey Smith and worked with him, but right now I just feel sad. Somthing is now missing for me, and indeed I know for many millions of us. Gardening has lost its Head Gardener.Geoffrey was better than

of the unbelievable quantities of rain that are making it impossible to garden, and in some instances positively treacherous to even walk.I skidded for over a metre across some wet grass the other week. My neck still clunks every time I turn my head, as if I had

wrecked.I now realise how lucky we are not to experience such extreme weather on a regular basis - and I'll certainly be bending the ear of BBC weatherman and Gardeners' Question Time chairman, Peter Gibbs!Seeing the damage to these fantastic oaks makes me

, each with a distinct, sweet perfume.I think this episode demonstrates that gardening rules are there to be bent. There is an 'ideal' way of doing most things, but we can’t always garden ‘by the book’. Sometimes it is nice to experiment, to try other

the kids’ trampoline. It’s amazing how much difference the shade makes; you can feel the drop in temperature beneath the net, and the soil is noticeably damper.Sitting in the sunshine, I’m watching the confused wasps buzzing around a bowl of strawberries, a

At this time of year it’s all too easy to stay indoors and become a couch potato. When I do venture into the garden, my fingers ache with the cold and the ground is so slippery I can barely stay upright. I can’t even warm up by working the soil