Ivy flowers have gone over and now berries are starting to form. Avoid cutting these back and allow them to develop as a food source for birds. Ivy berries ripen in late winter and are often not eaten

Growing the Good Life is especially rewarding as we start to prepare for winter celebrations. Not only can we harvest food for the feast, but also berries, seedheads and foliage for festive decoration

Make a sustainable start to the New Year and fill the quieter days after the festive flurry with these mindful greener crafting ideas that will bring lots of joy but won’t cost the earth

Spare yourself the shopping trip. Who doesn’t love a gift made with love?

Lynn Farram and the congregation of Christ Church, Norris Green, Liverpool

This easy, stylish decoration is quick to achieve, and you can adapt the sugarpaste colour and sprinkles to your taste. Once iced, the decorating takes just minutes.