Innholdsfortegnelse for 13-Dec-2025 i Amateur Gardening

You are reading the world’s oldest gardening magazine, a publication that has seen so many trends come and go over its 141 years of publication. Our team is always looking forward to sustainable, productive gardens for the future, with wellbeing and wildlife at the forefront of our minds, yet there is always so much to be learnt from the past. From traditional crafts to simple pleasures, community and care. The homemade, the hand whittled, the ability to make best use of what we find growing around us feels so incredibly good. It’s wholesome, it’s low-cost and it’s surely part of the solution for a more enjoyable, resilient form of gardening for us all. In this bumper Christmas Special, which hosts extra features, extra free seeds and extra love from your…

Leading garden and grounds care machinery manufacturer STIGA has been named Official Groundskeeping Partner of England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU). The partnership reflects STIGA’s commitment to ensuring world-class playing surfaces for sports players at every level. Claudio Borges, RFU Executive Director of Commercial and Marketing, said: “Having the best pitches and training facilities is paramount to any professional team’s performance, and we are delighted that we will be getting support on this from STIGA.”…

Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat is always a sweet feeling, especially when at first it feels like something of an effort to do! Take, for instance, the saga of our young, potted variegated forsythia. It’s a beautiful thing but over the summer, I noticed that it needed much more watering than the other potted shrubs. A morning or afternoon too long without water and its pretty leaves started to droop in a way that made me feel extremely guilty - though obviously not guilty enough to do anything other than water it again, because there seemed to be many more pressing things to be getting on with. So I made a mental note to re-pot it next spring, and left it there, until one morning last month after…

Gone are the days of not being able to grow a wide range of food in winter due to lack of light and warmth. Of course, we’ve always been able to grow brassicas, leeks, parsnips and other hardy veg outside, but the likes of herbs (basil, chives, mint, oregano, coriander), leaves (annual spinach, lettuce, pak choi) – and dwarf forms of tomatoes and chillies, plus snackbox cucumbers and strawberries – have remained out of reach, until now. With a combination of easily accessible, affordable equipment, alongside the know-how accumulated by a swelling number of urban growers who have to re-think the boundaries of their growing spaces, this area of gardening is now thriving. The result is an extension of the growing season by months, not just weeks, with seasons being…

This autumn was one of great abundance and, following a long, hot summer with plenty of sunshine, nuts from sweet chestnuts reached a good size. We foraged widely and although roasting them on an open fire is traditional, we tend to slit the skins to let steam out, bake them in the oven and use most as garnishes for soft, pureed soups of parsnip or squash. Even in a good year, nuts from trees in the UK are usually smaller than the whoppers in shops. We are at the cooler northern edge of where the trees like to grow and commercially, cultivars bearing larger nuts are used. Chestnuts are grown commercially here, mainly in the south of England, but most are imported from the sunnier climes of Italy, Spain or…

Previously I have looked at white and cream flowers for summer and autumn, so let’s look at some of the snowy-coloured plants that are in bloom or provide a good display in winter. I’ve selected plants that usually respond well to growing in containers, which you can move close to your door to enjoy on even the darkest, wettest and coldest days as you dash past to reach the warmth of your home. Single-colour displays add a sense of calm and cohesion and white will lift a dull corner beautifully. Or, if you want to make one plant in particular stand out in a display, surround it with white or pale cream flowers and light foliage to really help it pop. Skimmia japonica ‘Finchy’ Skimmias are evergreen plants that prefer…

The warmth of summer may seem a distant memory now, but it was good news for the UK’s butterflies, which experienced a welcome surge in numbers. More than 125,000 people took part in the 2025 Big Butterfly Count and data collected afterwards revealed that numbers were well up on 2024, although this only returned butterfly populations to ‘average’ levels. In news that will come as no surprise to gardeners, the most recorded butterfly was the large white, followed by small white and red admiral. The day-flying Jersey tiger moth also had a good year, but holly blue and meadow brown butterflies had poor results, although that may have been because the browns were on the wing earlier than usual and had largely finished flying when the count began in July.…

Two new national forests are to be developed to bring nature closer to people. The first will be along the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, and a competition will launch in early 2026 to determine the location of a second forest, either in the Midlands or North of England. The new forests will see millions of trees planted and provide employment and nature recovery, and make outside spaces more accessible. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, said: “Our woodlands are vital for regulating our climate, supporting wildlife, and increasing access to nature for us all. “Our ambitious tree-planting programme will help unlock growth, restore nature and create green jobs for the future.”…

I love home-grown fruit and even in a small garden, a compact fruit tree or bush can provide plenty for pies and crumbles. At this time of year, there are lots of specimens to choose from as it’s the prime time to plant while they’re dormant. I always go for bare-root trees and shrubs for their value for money and ease of planting. ‘Bare root’ simply means a dormant plant without any soil around the roots. They’re usually delivered in a plastic bag, rather than a container, and because they don’t have any leaves they can look like a bundle of sticks and roots. But don’t worry! Come spring, you’ll soon start to see your tree or bush come to life, with little shoots forming fast. Always inspect the roots…

Gazing through the December drizzle, it’s hard to imagine there’s much going on in our gardens right now. A few leaves cling to freezing trees, while the colourful wings, buds and buzzings of summer are long gone. All feels silent, dormant, even dead. But while much of nature has faded, flown or hunkered down, there’s still wonder to be found. Just as winter is to summer, moths are to butterflies – subtler, more understated but no less beautiful. The December moth (different to the winter moth) is one of the few moth species found during the colder months. A chunky, medium-sized moth, it’s recognisable by its praline-brown and caramel colouring – like one of the good chocolates from the posh selection box. Resting with wings closed, it forms a heart…

This year’s nasturtiums did so well and far outdid my expectations. After a slow start, they moved into top gear in late summer and continued to grow and flower until mid-November. They also self-seeded throughout the raised beds where I sowed them as companion plants, adding colour with their bright flowers while their leaves shielded the soil, helped keep in moisture and suppress weeds. Their peppery deliciousness was lovely in summer salads too. Next year I’ll be growing more, including some with more subtle colours like ‘Tip Top Apricot’, which has a long flowering season and holds its delicately hued blooms well above the leaves. In spring, you can either sow seeds where you wish them to grow, or start them undercover in colder areas and plant out when the…

Replacing a pond and moving a tree Important jobs for the dormant seasons Q We would like to replace our garden pond as we think it may have a leak. When would be the best time to replace it? Also, how easy is it to transplant these ‘trees’? G. Barham (via email) A I am sorry that your pond is leaking, but pleased that you are keen to replace it. Unless you wish to use a rigid pond liner, I urge you to invest in butyl rubber sheeting which has a 50-year life span. Now, when there is little activity in the pond, is the best time to replace it. Ideally, save the water, and its aquatic plants, fish and other animals in a plastic container supported by sturdy posts,…

Each year, the run-up to Christmas brings the same familiar favourites: red poinsettias, glossy holly, maybe a splash of cyclamen. But the world of festive plants is changing fast, with breeders and growers offering creative alternatives that feel fresh, colourful, and just a little bit surprising. This season, why not give tradition a pass? Here are seven standout plants bringing new style to Christmas displays. Streptocarpus ‘Holly’ A true alternative to the standard festive red, Streptocarpus ‘Holly’ combines soft, velvety foliage with delicate flowers in wintery shades of white and crimson, and flowers just in time for the big day. Compact and elegant, it’s perfect for indoor decoration, offering a cheerful splash of colour that lasts well beyond Christmas too. Easy to care for, it’s the plant that quietly says…

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Unwins has added 42 new seed varieties to its catalogue for 2026, to suit every garden and gardener. Its accessible range includes small-space ideas such as windowsill peas and peppers that can be grown in containers and hanging baskets. In addition, there’s a ‘pollinator playground’ range and collections designed for flower arrangers and anyone inspired by the cottage garden aesthetic. Unwins spokesman Arty Speroni said: “We want to make growing from seed fun, accessible, and inspiring for everyone. These new collections are designed to spark ideas, whether you’ve got a big garden, a balcony, or just a sunny windowsill.”…

This Christmas, Blue Diamond Garden Centres are donating festive trees to hospices located close to their 52 outlets. From Preston in Lancashire to St Peters on Jersey, the company will be distributing Christmas trees and arranging special visits from Santa himself, spreading joy, sharing gifts, and creating magical moments for patients and their families. The heartwarming move comes after the garden centre company teamed up with Hospices UK, the national charity for hospice and end-of-life care that represents a community of more than 200 hospices across the UK. Blue Diamond’s Group Relationship Manager, Jill Kerr, said: “We are honoured to partner with Hospice UK during this special time of year. “Hospices play an extraordinary role in providing compassionate palliative care, helping people live with comfort, dignity, and love. Supporting their…

A school near Portsmouth has a thriving new allotment thanks to a donation by housebuilders Pye Homes. As a result of the funding, children at Porchester’s Northern Infant and Junior School Federation have a newly designed allotment area with 16 planters and some new recycling bins, creating a clean and sustainable space for eight of the school’s classes to learn and grow. Karis McMahon-Lane of Pye Homes said: “We’re especially proud to have contributed to an initiative that not only enhances the school’s outdoor learning environment, but also reflects our shared commitment to sustainability.” Are you involved in community growing projects where you live? Send in your news by emailing editor@amateurgardening.com…

I’m a sproutaholic! I need to find a group of like-minded individuals, where we meet and sit in a circle. And when it comes to my turn, I stand and say: “My name is Graham, and I am a sproutaholic.” You see, Brussels sprouts are, without question, my favourite vegetable. I could eat platefuls of them. However, a large percentage of the population only eat sprouts at Christmas, out of a sense e of duty. Why are these vegetables so widely disliked? ■ Reason 1: In 2011, a study found that sprouts contain a chemical which tastes bitter to people who have a variation of a certain gene. Around half the world’s population have this variant. The lucky half (without the variant) don’t taste the bitterness usually associated with sprouts,…

This time of year, with all the pressure to spend, spend, spend, can leave folk worrying about money and wellbeing. We have come a long way from the days of the traditional wassail ceremony, the Lord of Mischief and the Apple Tree Man, but the Green Man lingers in our gardens still as a reminder of how much nature means to us all and there is much hope and joy to be found therein. Twelfth Night in our household still heralds the wassail, the anointing of the fruit trees with bread and cider. In our garden, the drums strike up, the singing starts and the mulled cider is quaffed and spilled among the apple trees. However, wassailing is not recorded this far north and is often associated with orchards further…

We love receiving your letters, emails and social media posts. Every message, poem, idea and comment matters. Please keep them coming. We will send out a thank you gift for every item published in the magazine as soon as we can, so do please send your address and contact details when you get in touch. Joyful Christmas cactus Hi Kim, Please see the photo of my Christmas cactus which has decided that Christmas has come early this year. It is in full bloom and looks absolutely gorgeous. I have had it for a number of years and every year it does me proud. Each year after the last frosts I put it outside in the garden (still in its pot) until just before any autumn/winter frosts when I bring it…

These little festive stars are not only beautiful but meaningful, bringing a touch of rustic charm to your seasonal décor. They’re eco-friendly, sustainable and wonderfully low-waste. There’s no plastic, no glitter, no landfill guilt, and absolutely no drama. You can also choose a glue that is environmentally safe and then these stars can be composted after use. Enjoy.…

Holly and ivy might be the go-to plants for Christmas greenery, but there is another foraged leaf I wouldn’t be without. Bracken might not be green, but it’s always on my yuletide gather list as it has more uses than a Swiss Army Knife. The bronze fronds are as handsome as a fox trotting through snow-covered woodland and an excellent ingredient in a wreath. Like a frame around a painting, they are a foil that brings out the lustre in neighbouring evergreens and makes winter berries glow. Bracken performs the same trick in the wild and from snow-dusted moors to motorway embankments, where the bracken grows, the pines and birch trees look brighter. But it does more than make other plants look good, it can also be used to make…

The season of merriment is upon us, time’s growing short and we have that perennial vexation of finding suitable, affordable presents. We supposedly attempt to match these to the recipient in the hope they’ll appreciate them. The difficulty is doing so with those you know fairly well, it’s even harder with those whom we’re less familiar, so to avoid wasted effort we may search for some guide, such as their hobbies or interests. As keen gardeners, we’re easily identifiable and so may receive ‘appropriate’ presents. Now if these come from other gardeners, at least they’re likely to be of some use. However, when the donor is a non-gardener they may be tempted into rather ‘foolish’ things. Feel blessed if you’ve not yet received a ‘trowel & fork set’ of a…