Count down to Christmas with this advent calendar

IN the run-up to the festive season, why not create your gardening to-do list in an advent calendar over 25 days, rather than make it a last-minute rush? Dobbies Garden Centres (dobbies.com) has come up with this horticultural advent calendar to give you a head start:

1. Plant a beautiful winter hanging basket

Get your garden celebration-ready by brightening up a drab wall or fence with a colourful basket, or hang one by your front door to welcome festive visitors. The basket will last until spring, so it isn’t just for Christmas.

2. Plant an amaryllis for Christmas Day blooms

Little beats the exotic extravagance of amaryllis - their beautiful blooms make a bold statement and create a real focal point in any Christmas scene.

3. Be prepared for the New Year

Look ahead to 2020 before the chaos sets in to make plans for seed-sowing. Buy your seeds early, and you may find the chance to get things underway before you’ve even taken the tree down.

4. Take care of garden birds

Cold weather makes food and water scarce. Make sure feeders and tables are filled regularly, and ensure you have a constant supply of fresh water.

5. Get the most from winter pots

Keep your winter containers in good shape with regular maintenance. Snip off blooms as they fade, and water regularly so compost doesn’t dry out in winter winds.

6. Plant a Christmas container

Brighten your doorstep or even just a window box for the festive season with a container filled with Christmas cheer. A festive pot is easy to create - just choose seasonal plants, include lots of berries and finish off with festive trimmings.

7. Give wildlife a home for winter

Support garden wildlife by supplying manmade houses for creatures to shelter in. They’re easy to install and attractive to look at.

8. Grow windowsill crops for a festive feast

It’s possible to grow tasty crops on a windowsill to enjoy a festive harvest, even if you don’t have much outdoor space. Microgreen seeds are fast-growing, so try pea shoots, mizuna, coriander, rocket and pak choi.

9. Make a Christmas door wreath

Give your front door the wow factor by creating a traditional Christmas wreath. Gather as much from the garden as possible, looking for evergreens, rosehips and berries.

10. Create a festive houseplant display

Given the right location, and regular care and attention, houseplants can be used to create a beautiful Christmas display that will continue to look great into the new year.

11. Dress your Christmas mantelpiece

A roaring fire forms the heart of a Christmas scene, but why not add to the festive feel by decorating your mantelpiece? Combine fresh pickings from the garden with bought decorations to create a beautiful homespun feel.

12. Make garden-foraged decorations

Seed pods from poppies, iris and crocosmia work particularly well, as do the glistening mother of pearl seed cases of honesty. Glossy red rose hips, cones foraged from alder, and flower heads from common ivy all combine to create a warm seasonal display with natural Scandi vibes. full list online at heraldscotland.com