Dave Allan

We can’t mow the sodden lawns we’ve got just now so we’ve a chance to look at different mowing regimes to make them attractive.

Carrots are crammed with vitamins and other health-giving nutrients. Originating in Central Asia, they’ve long been grown throughout Europe, initially for their leaves and seed, but now of course for their tap roots. The smaller the final size of the root, the quicker it will mature, so you can harvest stump rooted Paris Market after only 90 days, while long elegant ones take another month.

Primroses are often associated with woodland, but they do need some, though not blazing, sun and you’ll usually find them in woodland edges, as mine are

Buying commercial compost can be a nightmare. Some growing media bring on seed and seedlings beautifully - nearly as well as your own home mix - and others are disastrous. You often wrongly blame yourself and, because of a failure, may have missed a variety’s optimum sowing slot.

There are 21 non-marine mollusc species that occur in Scotland according to the Scottish Biodiversity List, but they are only one of many recycling groups. And our gardens aren’t part of ‘the natural environment’. However wildlife-friendly, our gardens are artificial places, designed and managed as we want.

Herbs in pots image: PA Make the perfect start to ‘grow your own’ by sowing herb seeds in pots whether you’ve a large garden, a small one, or none at all. Add a touch of zest to a dish by arming yourself with a pair of scissors and nipping outside to cut some fresh parsley, coriander or dill.

Wonderfully scented fruit blossom promises a fine harvest of succulent fruit ahead and as you read this, I’ll be soaking up my peach’s fragrant delight. Yes, peaches can do well in much of Scotland and, believe me, nothing beats picking and enjoying them fresh.

Visit any Scottish allotment and you’ll find tatties in at least half of the plots. Plot holders know they’re the world’s tastiest and most nutritious carbohydrate, as did early farmers in South America.

A gardener’s work is never done with many of our perennials in the fruit cage and borders now ready for our attention.

The ups and downs of mulching Mulching the soil helps to keep our gardens beautiful and fruitful. This warming duvet protects our precious soil against the ravages of Scotland’s ice and lashing rains.