Abingdon Living Nov - Dec 2021

Gifts for gardeners and the garden too!
Matt Biggs, the gardening expert, gives us some excellent ideas on Christmas presents for your
green-fingered friends...
It is that time of the year again, only this year hopefully we can be
with our loved ones and celebrate Christmas as we want to.
Whilst the past 18 months have been difficult and challenging for
so many of us, one good result is the interest in gardening that
spending so much time at home has created.
Bee-keeping is a great hobby -
and there is no better way to help
nature than to help our bees -
check out local bee keeping clubs
and societies - and do buy local
honey too!
New gardeners, born again gardeners, there are many ideas to
bring a Christmas morning smile - so here are a few, and not only
good for gardeners but good for the garden too.
Horticulture courses - from the RHS courses to local college
courses and even garden club activities, there are many ways to
learn from those in the know - and gardeners are great sharers.
The gift of a course, a membership or a good book is a great way
to encourage budding gardeners and assist those who want to
fulfil a gardening wish.
Older people who can no longer garden may be able to do a little
more in their gardens if the beds are raised so that they can sit and
garden or do so from a wheelchair . If housebound, planting a small
but beautiful tree or shrub so that it can be seen from the house is a
great idea, and a bird feeding station will offer hours of entertainment
and be great for the birds too!
From locally made hand creams and soaps to really good tools,
books, vouchers for the local garden centre and bird tables there
is plenty to keep a gardener happy - and give nature a bit of a
hand too!
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