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, letting plants use up moisture until the compost has dried up and they die down. Then I leave the dormant tubers in their dry compost over winter, which I hope insulates them from cold.Memo to myself: Remember to start the gloriosa tubers into growth

to this the fact that the cider was often more potable than the water and if you freeze cider (easy enough in the snowy winters of the Midwest) then you end up with 60% proof applejack (or apple brandy).Since his death in about 1845 the legend of Johnny Appleseed

I've just enjoyed a relaxing hour, cup of tea in one hand, binoculars in the other, gazing out of the window at my garden. Yes, some plants are showing signs of growth, there's still bloom on my winter-flowering viburnum, and the squirrels are still

UK butterflies to overwinter as an adult - peacock, comma and brimstone are the others, although the red admiral might start qualifying if it continues to survive our warmer winters. Any of these insects ought to have a head start as soon

to chalk up 15 of my 124 target actions. These are mostly by the simple expedient of not cutting the grass, not winter deadheading, clearing out the pond when I repaired it and by having more than my fair share of thickets.The thickets are obviously paying

sensibly, still tucked up, waiting for the weather to improve.Pear 'Winter Nelis': this is a late fruiter (although we are yet to get much), with the best blossom of all. Pink and white nuggets like freshly washed babies.There are apples as well, but only

out of silk (between 300 and 900 metres of the stuff). These cocoons are then unravelled and the strands woven into fine fabric that is not only smooth and sexy but also disproportionately warm (silk long johns are by far the best sort of winter

.However, reading through seed catalogues last winter I discovered 'Emir', a brand new variety for 2008 from Mr Fothergill's, which had been bred specifically to be grown in our northern climate. A combination of tolerance to cold conditions and fast-maturing fruits

winter.Actaea 'James Compton' - these used to be called cimicifugas. Tall and very, very elegant. 'James Compton' has dark purplish leaves as well.Zauschenaria californica - any plant whose name begins with Z has a special spot in my heart. A great edging

white sheen to its stems that looks wonderful in the grey days of winter.All the same, I'll always prefer picking wild berries. The combination of fresh air, a fair bit of mud (especially this year), the danger of toppling into a prickly ditch