Seasonal ideas for your outdoor space
PODS PROMISE A TASTY HARVEST
Late winter is the ideal time to force rhubarb. Crafted from sustainable materials, this traditional terracotta forcer is both frost resistant and designed to withstand the elements. Placed over the crown of the rhubarb plant, the trapped heat will accelerate its growth, while the lack of sunlight produces blanched stems that are juicy and tender, creating a more flavourful crop. Measuring approximately 38cm in width and 60cm in height, the pot features a detachable lid and can also be used for chicory and asparagus. Woodlodge Rhubarb Forcer Pot £59.99, www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk
HOME TO THE HIVE
While many retreat into the comfort and warmth of the home during winter, so too does the humble honeybee. Scarcely seen in the colder months of the year, the workforce continues to remain busy in hives, clustered together and flapping their wings to create and conserve heat. In the centre of the moving swarm lies the queen, exuding pheromones to keep the colony happy. Despite the icy conditions, honeybees live longer during winter, as they do not use precious energy foraging for sweet nectar or pollen. If one is spotted it will likely be on a ‘cleansing flight’, usually on a slightly warmer day, which includes finding water or to excrete while flying.
GREEN ALTERNATIVES
In the new year, thoughts turn to sowing seeds under cover for a bountiful crop or beautiful display later on. For old plastic plant pots and seed trays that can be difficult to recycle, the best course of action is to wash them to remove pests and diseases, and use them again and again. This will give them the longest life possible and prevent them from going into landfill. Once they no longer find use, plastic-free alternatives, such as cardboard or fibre and bamboo pots, can be bought instead. Sowing seeds in home-made wooden seed trays, folded paper pots or toilet roll tubes reduces the reliance on plastic. Seeking out garden centres that sell biodegradable pots will prevent a new collection of plastic pots from building up.
BOOST FROM THE SHORES
This high-performing soil improver contains a renewable resource of seaweed, which is harvested locally from beaches on the south-east coast of Scotland. Ideal for planting shrubs, bulbs and herbaceous perennials, the blend of essential trace elements, minerals, vitamins and natural plant hormones helps to increase nutrients
