January is the start of a new year, and with it, a whole load of resolutions! So try and get into an excellent routine to set those good intentions for the rest of the year. And we don’t just mean going to the gym on the odd day!

As the days start getting longer there’s a hint of optimism in the air in February.  Spring feels like it’s just around the corner, and you’ll be able to get outside on those sunny days to start looking over the state of your outside growing spaces. But keep your thermals on for all of those outside tasks!

March is the first real month of change as the we see the start of Spring. We start to see the first signs of gardens getting ready to bloom into the new season with new plants and colours coming alive.

April is one of the most exciting months to be outside (or inside if you’re growing in pots!) as we start seeing seedlings popping up. And the prospect of our mini kitchen gardens become a reality! The days are getting longer and longer (maybe lose those thermals now) and the vegetable garden is a really busy place to be!

Ok, we can get excited now…as this is usually the start of summer. Long, warm days outside – and hopefully you can start the summer as you mean to go on with plenty of time outside.  The wellbeing benefits of being outdoors around green space (and by extension, the mindfulness and sense of reward that growing your own fruit and vegetables brings) means this can be a really enjoyable month. 

Summer is well and truly here by now. There’s still loads to do in the garden but this is the perfect time to take a step back, and acknowledge your progress and what you’ve achieved so far this year. And then make sure you’re enjoying the fruits of your labour!

As thoughts turn to summer holidays and long lazy summer evenings, your garden should be looking better than ever. Keep enjoying all of that lovely food you’ve been growing, whether by yourself or with friends and family. If you have too much of one crop, consider a food swap with a neighbour. Don’t let anything go to waste!

August is all about managing your garden through the Summer heat. Keep watering and tending where needed, but still use the (hopefully) sunny weather to get outside and enjoy your new-found passion. 

In short – there’s still loads going on in September! You’ll still be busy harvesting loads of the lovely fruit and vegetables you’ve grown, as well as managing your upcoming winter crops. If you’ve been growing fruit this is a bumper month to harvest and store for the winter.

As the seasons change to Autumn we’re nearing the end of the main growing season, however there are still some winter crops to plant and manage so that they’re ready for Christmas. Did you know it’s still possible to plant and grow everything you need for our Christmas dinner in October. Check out our dedicated blog on exactly this!

The weather’s getting colder now, and given how busy December usually is for a lot of people, this may be the last chance to tidy up the garden ahead of the coldest winter months. So get rid of all of those niggly little jobs before kicking back next month. That said, if you’re really attacking it, you may have enough stuff for a bonfire!

The weather’s getting colder now, and given how busy December usually is for a lot of people, this may be the last chance to tidy up the garden ahead of the coldest winter months.