Flo Whitaker

Iris, the Grecian messenger of the Olympian Gods, flew in a rainbow ribbon of celestial light - such sumptuous flowers could not be better named. And, on a more down-to-earth note, pesky squirrels, deer and rabbits leave them alone,

Pumpkins, courgettes and marrows, (collectively labelled ‘squash’) are members of a diverse botanical group: cucurbits. They are well-adapted to outdoor living – although the cucurbit family also includes aubergines, cucumbers and melons that typically require the protection of a greenhouse.

It may still feel like winter to us, but plants are responding to the lengthening hours of daylight. Time for some early seed-sowing...