SPOTLIGHT ON...
ARE you a chucker or a saver? Some people are quite happy to dump frost-tender summer bulbs and buy new next year. But real gardeners find it hard to abandon perfectly good plants, particularly when it’s easy to keep them.
Begonias are no trouble. If they are being grown in pots, reduce the watering when the plants stop producing new flowers, and by the time the leaves have turned yellow and the stems snap off, the tubers are dormant.
Ease tubers out of the compost, make sure they are bone dry, and keep in paper bags in a drawer until spring.
Dwarf gladioli, eucomis and tigridia are even easier. Wait for late flowering to finish, leave them a week or two for the leaves to die down, then cut any remaining foliage and flower stems off just above the tops of the bulbs and dry them ready to store.
Again, paper bags in the spare room are best, but if that’s out of the question, spread them out in stackable plastic trays in a shed or garage that isn’t at risk of frost.
With dahlias, leave them outdoors until the first serious frost causes the foliage to turn black, then cut the whole lot down to about six inches above the ground and then dig up the tubers.
Brush as much soil off as you can, lay them out in the sun to dry and store in plastic stacking trays.
£199, Daniel Stores
Budding baristas will feel right at home with the latest model from Lavazza. The coffee giant has teamed up with SMEG to bring us this A-list domestic appliance, which channels iconic retro styling with Italian flair for true, authentic coffee. Bellissima!
Argos Home 12-Piece Dinner Set - Floral £38, Argos
These blousy blooms are so eye-catching, anyone who’s into tablescaping will be inspired.
Icon Sabrina Spikey Faux Fur Throw – Wine
£79.99, Beanbag Bazaar Majestic in magenta, not only will this fabulous faux fur throw not slip off the bed or sofa arm, it’s soft enough to snuggle into with a glass of mulled wine, sweetened by thoughts of the next mince pie.
Etched Palm Cheese Knives Set of Three,
£27.50, Oliver Bonas
Think island time, long lazy lunches and a holiday cheese board... these decorative palm stainless steel cheese knives make the cut.
£60, Fenella Smith As any baker worth their pastry chef hat knows, one bowl is never enough. This chic ceramic trio in sugar-pink is designed by presenter and Bake Off winner John Whaite. Edged in foil, they should inspire the poshest patisserie.
Cuisinart Wine Opener £45, Cuisinart
This Cuisinart removes any cork at the touch of a button and comes with a foil cutter and vacuum sealer, so you have the option to save a top drop for the next day. Fully charged, it can open around 80 bottles within six to eight hours.