1. The garden expert who had no garden...

Louise Hampden would peer into people’s gardens, green with envy because she didn’t have one.

2. Now’s the time to pull on the wellies – and garden

Last Monday saw the vernal equinox and from now until the spring our nights will be longer than the days.

3. Eat you way out of the credit crunch

You can’t escape the credit crunch – it’s even invaded British Food Fortnight, which started last Saturday and runs until Sunday, October 5.

This year the promoters are giving topical advice on how to eat British and save money during the credit crunch.

4. Flower ’bout opening your garden to public?

It takes a particular kind of gardener to decide to open his or her garden to the public.

5. Basil – for taste of the Mediterranean

The weighty novels of the 19th Century occasionally refer to basil as flourishing when grown in dead men’s brains.

6. Supreme Sardines

There was a time in this food-phobic nation of ours when the only sardines to be had were released from a tin with a special key.

7. Go wild for free and delicious food

As prices of everyday items soar in the supermarkets and food riots over rice shortages become a reality, perhaps everyone should learn to forage for food.

8. Don’t mistle out on this magic thrush

Weekends in big parks can be poor for wildlife, there are so many people, there is little opportunity for wildlife. All the dog walkers, the games of football, it is best to wait until a quiet time to see some of the things that live in the parks.