A last-minute Christmas lucky dip, with madrigals: a container idea for a winter doorstep, how to care for amaryllis and a Cheat Sheet
And an actual dip which is the easiest dip in the world
I realise there’s a fighting chance that your mind is on other things, so this week I’ve created a pick and mix of things to dive into, or not, as the case may be. You could always just listen to the madrigal.
It’s Saturday 21st December, it’s Winter Solstice, and it’s really nearly Christmas. Usually by this time, I’m scrabbling frantically around for presents for impossible people, or for people who really don’t want stuff. But this year, it’s gift Substack subscriptions all round - and that’s the truth. (I can’t say to whom as some of the recipients read this newsletter).
BUT if you’ve forgotten someone, here’s a nice little last-minute idea: why not get them a Gardening Mind gift subscription here? I’ve made you a voucher to go with it: go to this link and print out this gift voucher, pop it an an envelope, and the job is DONE.
There are more ideas for gifts that gardeners really want here:
I realise there’s a fighting chance that your mind is on other things, so this week I’ve created a pick and mix of things to dive into, or not, as the case may be. You could always just listen to the madrigal while you’re doing all the other stuff. I’d forgotten that I absolutely adore madrigals - I know they can be a bit Blackadder sometimes, but that heavenly harmony of voices transports you……
There’s an idea for winter containers to brighten up a doorstep, and another printable Cheat Sheet for you, this time on amaryllis storage. And there’s BIG NEWS about Amaryllis Watch….
Do look out here on Substack for one more post from me before Christmas in which I’ll be sharing one of my handiest hints of all time…. (no, not the DIY surgical masks made out of pet incontinence pads and knicker elastic, although I have to say that video is right up there….).
In the meantime, I’m wishing you the very best of times: I hope you manage to have a rest, and that you get to spend a bit of time exactly as you want it.
Have you signed up to The Gardening Mind yet? Free subscribers will be able to preview the first few items here, and paid subscribers will be able to see the full article every week, including: the to-do list, solutions to your gardening challenges, the small garden design course, planting ideas, gardeners’ question times, and more. Paid subscribers will also have exclusive access to the weekly Show Us Your Plots which is our regular get-together on the Chat, where we share ideas and solve problems throughout the week. A subscription is £1.50 per week if you sign up for the yearly plan - see it as a garden investment, as you’ll have loads of ideas by the end of each read.
Amaryllis Watch
Can you believe we started this amaryllis bulb watch at the beginning of November and it’s now NOW? In the most perfect of timing, the petals are actually exploding - just look at them: