TO DO LIST

■ If the weather permits, and the soil is in workable condition, fork over some space in the veg patch and plant onion sets and shallots.

■ Check the condition of paths and paving – heavy rain often washes out the grouting between slabs. Make repairs and top up gravel paths and drives.

■ Over the next few weekends, complete winter digging and rose or shrub planting, plus any ongoing construction jobs, so they are finished by the time routine spring gardening jobs begin.

WE didn’t ask Chunk of Devon’s Simon Bryon-Edmond if he has any plans to make pies out of insects – I get the feeling he’d give us an old-fashioned look if we did – but he may find himself considering it one day.

That’s because insect-eating is on the increase among the planet’s human population. Indeed, we are consuming all manner of weird and wonderful new things – apart from invertebrates, lab-grown meat and fish is now increasingly on the menu, as are different forms of algae.

Mealworms recently became the first insect-based food to be approved by the European Food Safety Agency.

The digital magazine and newspaper app Readly has just announced the results of a survey which showed that nine out of ten consumers say they are wide open to experiencing the new food trends. Edible water bottles, lab grown meat or fish and algae topped the list of the most likely to be eaten by those looking for something alternative or environmentally conscious. DNA based diets are also on the horizon, as are 3D printed foods. (whatever they are...)

The research showed that sustainability continues to be an important theme, with almost half Europe’s consumers choosing foods that are locally produced. One in ten shoppers rate ecolabelling as a key when making their food decisions.

It’s good to hear that people are concerned about the environment – but it might be a while before mealworm and algae pie catches on across the Westcountry.

Finish winter digging