Stocking up and taking stock

Ruth refreshes supplies for ’21 and makes her resolutions

- Ruth Hayes

LAST year gardening became a national occupation as millions of us turned to grow things to soften the edges of lockdown and supplement kitchen store cupboards. John Negus’s ‘agony uncle’ postbags were full of questions starting ‘I am new to gardening and…’

We hope this trend continues into 2021 and beyond as there is so much to be gained, physically, mentally and financially, from gardening.

Traditionally this is the time of year for fresh starts, for stocktaking our lives, totting up the pluses and minuses, and resolving to do (or not do) all the things that will make us better people.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to take stock of what’s going on in your garden. Think about it: much of the soil lies empty so we can see gaps that need filling, branches are bare so we can make note of what requires pruning and tidying, and many garden centres and online retailers are holding New Year sales, making January the perfect time to stock up on essentials.

Stock up on early sown seeds such as chillies