It’s always great to look ahead

We’ve said it before and no doubt will again – one of the very best things about gardening is the sense of optimism it engenders. For most of us, this year has been a mixed bag (to say the least!) and we’re still more brown than green, but we never stop looking ahead. That’s why I shall be absolutely following our advice (page 33) to start sowing my hardy annual seeds now, with one eye on some wonderfully colourful borders next year. The soil will be warm and welcoming and with luck they can make a great start. Our gardens are always ongoing projects after all, so it’s good to look forwards rather than back. Indeed, a tree surgeon knocked on the door last week to inform me he was taking the top off the sycamore next door, asking if there were any plants on our side to beware of. I took one look at my rather tired border and told him not to worry!

But there’s much to be said for carrying on and doing our best to make our plots look wonderful. Why not try a stunning palm (page 16) or some of the recommendations for striped flowers (page 22)? There’s always something out there that can make any garden look better, after all!

As many readers know, the use of peat is quite a hot topic of debate both among gardeners and in the industry as a whole. By the time you’re reading this week’s GN it is likely an annoucement on the future of peat-based products has been made by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. We’ll bring you a full update on what it means for you in next week’s issue. Have a great gardening week!