DREAM PLANT GROW PICK MAKE BUY
BONNY BULBS
MAKE LIFE LOVELY
Nothing says spring more than the jubilant sight of flowering bulbs in the garden, except a mixed bunch in sherbert tones indoors! Bulb-grown blooms do better in tepid water and if you’re picking your own daffs, pull the base of the stem rather than cut it, as less sometimes-irritating sap will run. If you can be bothered to change the water daily, they’ll last longer.
BOOK WORM
On a quiet morning with a cuppa in hand, delve into this engaging read by Caroline Quentin, a fellow garden devotee. Drawn to the Garden, £ 14.97 amazon.co.uk
CHEER UP!
Spruce up an old chair with a new cushion; this one’s brimming with optimism. Veeva Floral Outdoor Cushion, £ 18.99 beanbagbazaar.co.uk
CHOOSE A COUPE…
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…for a touch of 1930s glamour when a glass of something sparkling in the garden is called for – such as spring’s arrival! Two Tone Coupe Glasses, £15/2 marksandspencer.com
FLORAL FIZZ
Make an al fresco aperitif sophisticated, spritely and sin-free. Belvoir Botanical Floral Soda, £2/100ml waitrose.com
Time to indulge!
If your outdoor sofa set-up has emerged from its winter covers looking less than lovely, then there are plenty of new ranges to tempt, not all with skyscraper pricetags. Next’s offerings in particular have our hearts aflutter, with a curated collection to appease all tastes and purses, delivering design and durability in spades. This Abel Garden Modular Sofa & Dining Set (£1,499 next.co.uk) is a winner, and sure to sell out!
STYLE SETTER
The lighter evenings may be bestowing us with a renewed sense of energy, but we still need a resting spot! Habitat Kelham Rattan Effect Garden Chair – Brown, £130 argos.co.uk
BERRY SMART
Pot up an alpine strawberry plant now for the best-ever patio nibbles come June. Alpine Strawberry/ Fragaria vesca, £5.99/9cm pot primrose.co.uk
BORLOTTI BEANS
PLANTA TASTY TREAT
Mark our words, all the finest gardens will have these painterly ‘Borlotto Lamon’ beans (£2.69/35g seeds gardeningforall.co.uk) dripping from arches come summer. The beans are as pretty as their pods and packed full of fibre and iron – boil and toss in olive oil and lemon juice for a fancy side.
WHEELY EASY
If you’re having a rearrange of pots or thinking about moving planters from winter hibernation, Ikea’s new Olivblad Plant Mover In/ Outdoor (£13 ikea.com) takes out the slog. It has a brake function, so it’s a lovely houseplant stand too.
GET A LEG UP
This Garden Harvest Basket (£16.95 harrodhorticultural.com) has many other handy uses on accou
