Get your teeth into something new

And suddenly we’re already days into December! I’m not sure how that happened – it feels like we’ve only just got past the summer heatwave – but the radio now regularly blasts out Christmas songs and the days are getting as short as they ever do. Indeed, in just a couple of weeks the evenings will start to draw out, although it always seems to take a long time before that is very noticeable! Rather than doing too much with plants right now, it’s a great time to improve your soil or get stuck into a project. One such idea is a wildlife pond, which will be of enormous benefit to your plot – see page 18 to find out how to do it. The great thing about a pond like this is that it really doesn’t matter what size it is – if you don’t have room for a large pond then you can create one in a container and it will still be a wonderful boon for wildlife. It’s a great thing to do on the crisp, sunny winter days that I’m very much hoping we will enjoy!

If, like me, you’re yet to start your Christmas shopping, then it might be worth looking at our feature on page 14 – we’ve got some great ideas for handmade garden-related gifts that can be both unique and cost-effective, too!

Last weekend, on a chilly, damp Sunday I spotted two bees on my salvia ‘Hot Lips’, which is still blooming away. It was wonderful to see and reminded me one of the reasons I enjoy gardening so much; on page 8 our eco expert Karen Murphy looks at other plants that can help bees in winter. Well worth getting a few in your garden!

Have a great gardening week.