Guide to A BETTER GARDEN

Take your horticultural skills up a notch this spring with a few simple tricks

Instead of buying bags of herbs, try growing them for a constant supply. Make weekly sowings in pots on a warm windowsill, starting in February. It’s cheaper and saves on single-use plastic packaging.

GROW HERBS AT HOME

Sometimes whether a plant will survive or not is predetermined by the conditions of your soil. Buy a ph test kit to check the ph in different areas of your garden. This way you will know which plants will thrive and what, if anything, you need to feed your beds and borders.

We bet you didn’t know that you could grow cucumbers on a windowsill? Well, it’s true! Look for ‘Prima Top’ and ‘Cucino’ varieties, which are perfect for growing on a sill in a deep pot or container. Sow seeds in April and May and keep compost moist as they grow.

GROW WINDOWSILL CUCUMBERS

avoid spilling too much soil. Turn the pots containing your chosen plants upside down and give them a gentle tap to release the blooms and their soil, catching them with your other hand. Press them firmly into the jars, top up with more compost and water. Mix up plant shapes and varieties, along with one or two herbs, to complement the coloured jars. 6

Tie lengths of ribbon or twine around the necks of the jars as a finishing touch. Arrange your planted jars in order to spell out your message or phrase.

DISPLAY YOUR PLANTERS

‘PUT THE DISPLAY IN A PLACE THAT IS PROTECTED FROM THE RAIN AND WATER THE JARS CAREFULLY TO AVOID WATERLOGGING’