In tune with nature

Bursting into life in the depths of winter, snowdrops are little symbols of hope, a sign that spring will be coming. Thriving in damp soil, snowdrops are often found in clusters beneath trees or carpe

Make sure enough natural food is available for birds during winter by growing berrying trees and shrubs, and leaving seedheads standing. Bird feeders and tables can spread disease, giving some birds a

Happy New (wildlife-watching) Year to all readers, says James Lowen

The garden is quiet in January and February, but there are plenty of tasks to get on with. Some jobs are needed at this time of year while others, if carried out now, will help you for the gardening y

Pick sprouting broccoli shoots before the tight buds open into bitter, bright-yellow flowers. The ones you want for harvesting grow as short shoots coming from the upright main stems. They tend to be

Just between us, let’s be honest: for much of the year this is quite an uninteresting plant. It does not make much of an impact while our gardens erupt with life in spring. In the heat of summer, it s