Have a look at this video of Cleve West’s sculpture in his garden for people with dementia at Chelsea Flower Show 2008. I love this, he is definitely one of my favourite designers. Excuse the music it’s a little cheesy!
Scientists have just discovered that bees see colours that are invisible to the human eye. These colours known as iridescence are found on the petals of flowers and are there to attract bees for pollination along with colour. Iridescence is not a pigment but is due to the surface structure and will change according to the angle.
Deciding what to grow this season is one of the most exciting stages when growing vegetables at home. Shall I try growing something exotic and unusual or shall I grow solely high yielding varieties? So many possibilities. It is wise to plan ahead particularly if space is an issue which for most of us, it is. Even if space is tight you can still grow many vegetables which may require some clever redesigning but it will be all worthwhile.
Here are some seed suppliers which are definitely well worth a look:
- http://www.organiccatalogue.com – For those of you who want organic seeds these guys have a very good range of organic seeds.
- http://www.tuckers-seeds.co.uk – Edwin Tucker & Sons Ltd again a supplier with a good range of seeds.
- http://www.duchyoriginals.com/seeds – More expensive than others (obviously) but I’m sure of the highest quality. Lovely website as well.
- http://www.realseeds.co.uk/ – Suppliers of tasty non-hybrid & non GM vegetables seeds.
Above: My herb bed.
Jobs for the winter:
- Continue to harvest winter vegetables i.e. leeks, parsnips, cabbage, celeriac etc
- Early sowings can take place indoors i.e. broad beans, summer cabbage & lettuce. You can wait until February.
- Traditionally January is the time to sow onions in order to obtain large bulbs. If you do this plant them out in March. Again this can wait if you like
- Protect any tender herbs from the harsh winter weather.
- Stock up with potting compost, tags and propagators.
- Warm your soil by placing polythene, tarpaulin’s or cloches over your beds
- Buy your seeds.
- Mid-January is probably your last chance to dig in any manures you feel your soil requires.
Above: Two of my four raised beds with manure dug in over-wintering.
