Spring into action for healthy blooms

Is it too late to plant spring bulbs?

Dominic, st albans, Herts

No, you can plant bulbs right through to December and it’s the perfect time to pop in tulips – late planting can reduce problems with the disease tulip fire.

Plus, at this time of year garden centres start to sell off bulb stocks, so you can invest in your garden more cheaply.

Now’s the time to get your Christmas lights out of the shed, garage or loft ready to make dazzling displays outside the home.

If you’ve never done decorating outdoors before, Illumination Street is full of hints and tips to get you started.

Thanks to our sponsor, Safestyle UK, Britain’s number one window and door company, there are also thousands of pounds to be won too. You can visit the website at

for full

Put a smile on your face and bring an uplifting light show

details – and don’t forget Illumination Street week from December 9 to 15.

season’s reasons

Getting started couldn’t be easier and a little can go a long way.

A decorative display at the front of your home can put a smile on your face when you return from work, get the family involved in something creative and bring an uplifting light show for the community to enjoy.

In areas where there are well-kept front gardens, where there are lights and community activity, there is a proven reduction in antisocial behaviour and crime.

And sharing the Christmas spirit makes the neighbourhood a happier place for everyone.

outsiDe outputs

The secret to outdoor lighting is to find the variety that works for you. You could just buy lanterns and position them on the porch, or opt for elaborate fairy light sets, rope lights or spotlights for a spectacular effect.

It really depends on the kind of power you want to use.

If you want it nice and simple, with no messing with cables, battery lighting is your best bet.

Many garden centres sell them and with sticky-back products you can position them more or less anywhere.

With the LED lights you get a lot of bulb life and the batteries last for ages. If you really want to be sustainable, put a set of rechargeable batteries in. Buy two sets – put one set in while the other is charging.

You can also buy solar-powered lighting. Some rely just on the sun but more expensive lighting options allow you to recharge from grey light, so they still charge up even when you have cloud cover.

Best of all, you don’t have to turn these on or off, they come on when the lighting fades.

But these easy-to-install products may not pack the punch you require.