An introduction to some of the best and easiest to grow perennials

There has been a surge of DIY and garden activities in recent times

The growing season is short so prioritise getting ready for planting and sowing as soon as possible

There is very little we cannot grow given the correct conditions

The vast majority of plants in our gardens, estates and parks have only been introduced within the last 200 years

Without thinking about it, many people experience a change inwardly when out and about in natural surroundings

There is an Irish tradition that says potatoes should be planted by St Patrick's Day

Tips as we head out of winter and into spring

Even in small gardens you can create compartments with each section devoted to a desired theme

Whatever about plants that flower during the winter months, there are some that have dazzling displays of coloured stems for many months and the best is provided in the dogwood family

We have over 18 varieties in our garden, which give us apples from mid-August until the following March

It is a quiet time in the garden but it is not asleep and some plants can surprise you!

Eating your own home-grown potatoes is one of the most enjoyable eating experiences

There are many types or species of coffee but the principal one is Coffea arabica, which accounts for over 75% of the world production

While there are abundant choices from spring until the autumn, when it comes to the period outside those popular months the choices are much more limited

We grow our own holly as it is much easier than hunting for some in the countryside

There are some beautiful door wreaths available that will make your door look like a traditional Christmas card!

The search for an alternative small gift, especially around Christmas, has resulted in a mixture of food and garden-related items

We enjoy bringing in a selection of natural plant materials, which we use in making up our own decorations

The best season for extensive planting of hardy plants would be from now on until the end of March

One of the most common requests from people with gardens is about the size their plants will grow

There are a large range of plants that could be considered deadly!

It is the beginning of the season for planting fruit trees; here are some easy-to-grow, disease-resistant options

Now is a good time to review all aspects of what happened in the garden this year

We always suggest smaller displays placed in strategic areas to provide a splash of colour where it is really needed

Growth in the garden has lost its rampant energy and is now slowing down. This means we can take on a more relaxed mode as we tackle those jobs before the winter

We would not be human if we did not have some mood swings from time to time, and it is only natural that this would include a period of the blues

The trick for anyone who has a garden is to extend the season as much as possible

The blueberry is a plant that our ancestors would have eaten during late summer while foraging for food

The trick with plants is to grow them in conditions as close to their natural habitat as possible

They are one of the most popular plants and do well in a wide range of soils and positions, including gardens by the coast

With the popularity of growing some vegetables and fruit, there comes some slick buzz words which are dropped into the conversation about this popular hobby.

There are certain flowers that we suggest for beginners and school projects as they are almost foolproof and can be sown directly outside where they are to flower

Growing vegetables would have at one time been regarded as down in the social scale of gardening but it has been elevated to a higher level

This month is a period of relative calm in which to get aspects of the garden going, such as preparing areas ready for vegetables and flowers but holding back on planting those that are not frost hardy

Anyone who is interested can be good at gardening and in time earn the coveted title of ‘Green Fingers’

Green Fingers: Gardening should be fun and satisfying

It is quite possible to integrate food crops within your general garden

The easiest plants to grow are those that like our soil and weather conditions, and from this we can choose those plants that will please us most.

I have gathered natural materials to provide decorations later on, and these include sprigs of holly, pine and larch, cones, some mossy twigs, scarlet willow, ivy and fir branches

Gardening in the spring has a sense of urgency about it, which can take the edge off totally enjoying the activity.

Native plants such as the guelder rose and spindle provide reliable orange-red colours and also have berries to complement the show

There are a whole range of possible fruiting plants that you can grow in your garden