With the sudden drop in temperatures and the advent of winter visitors, getting enough to eat is a challenge for the birds in our gardens. Planting a container with berried shrubs can offer an important lifeline for birds’ survival.

This season we are focusing on juicy, fragrant blackberries and tart, crisp apples says clinical aromatherapist and natural perfumer Tanya Moulding.

As October and late autumn draws in, I think of fruity crumbles, cobblers and compotes- hearty, comforting desserts which have some therapeutic virtue – the fruits are rich in vitamins, fibre and antioxidants! So once you have fed your waistline and your soul, why not feed your skin (and face in a different way) with any leftover fruit.

Green walls are all the rage but if you’re not up to a Patrick Blanc style facade then our step-by-step guide will at least enable you to produce a living picture to adorn your patio or garden.

With sunny days still with us, it’s a joy to eat with windows and doors wide open or even better to dine in the garden – as long as we don’t have to fight off the troublesome insects that being in the open can bring. A centrepiece of insect-eating plants can achieve a modicum of revenge and create a conversation starter, although their eating habits are no way to behave at the table.

Come rain or shine, strawberries are synonymous with summer, Wimbledon and Pimms and make perfect companions to cream, sugar and mint! So, if you have a few left over after dessert and cocktail-making, grab some fresh mint and create these simple, revitalising recipes to beautify your skin and get holiday ready!

During the working week, many of us only get to enjoy our gardens in the evenings, so why not create a place to make the most of this time?

The sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica, is a hit with children of any age thanks to its intriguing ability to move its leaves. When touched, even by water, the leaves fold up and the stems droop. The plant has no muscles, so how does it do it and why? There is so much for children to learn from these fascinating plants and they’re easy to grow, inexpensive and safe (just watch out for the small thorns that appear as they mature).

Micro greens are a great way to grow your own even if you’ve only got space indoors. These diminutive versions of herbs and leaves such as basil, rocket and mizuna may be small in stature but pack a big punch of flavour when added to a dish.

Brrrr it’s a rainy, windy and cold February so why not warm things up with a steamy bath with your Valentine, enhanced by this bath and body oil.

When it comes to bathing and beauty, what could be more satisfying than luxuriating in soaks, melts and scrubs you’ve made yourself? You can use the best natural ingredients and, with the help of a few harvests from the garden, capture the essence of the season too.