Vegetables in season at Christmas are:
How many of these vegetables that are in season at Christmas are you growing in your garden?
Mistletoe growing on an apple tree makes a wonderful Christmas present.
Nick has a number of ready implanted apple trees for sale: several varieties and rootstocks; all at Waddington in Lincolnshire.
Mistletoe really is for Christmas!
Who wants new potatoes at Christmas?
Christmas-new-potatoes
In our house it is the gardener – but when the gardener becomes the head of the table, he wants roast potatoes around the turkey and mashed potatoes with his gravy. The subtle flavour of freshly dug new potatoes, cooked with carefully preserved mint, is not appreciated.
This is the first year we have successfully grown new potatoes and harvested them on Christmas day. The seed potato varieties Carlingford and Vivaldi were planted in late July, under a polytunnel, and we have been enjoying them since November.
The polytunnel reduces the risk of frost, but in severe frosty weather the soil would have to be covered (eg with fleece) so that the soil & potatoes do not freeze.
Christmas-dug-potatoes
When we dug the new potatoes on Christmas morning, they had bulked up considerably, and were so big that they had to be cut in half before cooking. This was in spite of a severe attack of potato blight early on. Late sown potatoes are more vulnerable to blight at a very early stage, because as soon as they come out, and the first leaves emerge, they are likely to be in a blight period.
So, because the new potatoes are quite large we will probably plant some in August next year. But a few will be planted in July, just in case blight catches the August lot.
Click the link to buy some Carlingford or Vivaldi seed potatoes to grow new potatoes for Christmas.
The challenge of extending the potato season and harvesting new potatoes at Christmas is still there, but who really wants them with a traditional Christmas dinner?
Enviromesh netting has had a huge impact on vegetable gardening, and would be a welcome gift or Christmas present for a vegetable gardener.
Enviromesh Netting:
Enviromesh prevents damage from:
enviromesh-over-brassica
The enviromesh netting works by acting as a barrier:
enviromesh-on-cabbage
Enviromesh netting is a form of biological pest control.
Click this link to buy Enviromesh Netting from Amazon, to give to a gardener as a gift or Christmas present.
A good quality hoe is a great present or Christmas gift for the dedicated vegetable gardener.
The ideal hoe is:
Most people do not have time to maintain tools – but a good quality stainless steel hoe will look after itself.
Click this link to buy a hoe hoe hoe for Christmas!
Our neighbour has just dropped off this delightful Christmas gift; a homemade present which we will really enjoy!
Christmas-gift
It reminded me how important presentation is:
The vegetable garden is a great source of homemade gifts:
preserves
We will certainly enjoy the homemade present which we received as a Christmas gift – thank you neighbour!
How wonderful to make your own holly wreath for Christmas.
holly-wreath
To make a holly wreath you need:
HollyWreath
The secret is not making the original willow frame too big. If the frame is smaller, it is easier to wind the holly in and make a ‘full’ wreath!
If you have a holly tree, why not have a go and make a holly wreath – it is very satisfying, in spite of being prickly!
Fresh, homegrown Blueberries are possible! Blueberries are superfruits with special health giving benefits. They can be grown in the ground or in containers, on the patio, & will make a great gift or Christmas present for the gardener who has everything!
Click this link to buy a blueberry plant.
blueberry
Soil for blueberries should be:
Nutritional value of blueberries:
Blueberry bushes:
Health giving properties of Blueberries:
Click this link to buy blueberries.
paper potter
This paper potter converts old newspapers into plant pots – truly green recycling!
Click this link to buy a paper potter, which makes an ideal gift or Christmas present for a gardener.
There are so many gifts that we would like to receive, so we have made a list of Christmas presents for gardeners!
electric propagator windowsill
Watering can from £12.00
Wheelbarrow £27.99
Electric windowsill propagator £39.99
Garden bag & toolkit £24.99
Paper potter £12.99
Secateurs £14.99
Basket of British apples & pears with £10 gift voucher £24.99
Christmas cactus £24.99
Book – The greatest gardening tips in the world £5.99
Blueberry plant from £9.49
Baby potato collection £10.99
Please come back and visit us, as we will keep adding to this list of gifts and presents for gardeners!
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