_ ALPINES, An Essential Guide – at last a gardening book, written by a true expert in his field, that will steer the enthusiastic amateur through the maze of information that is needed to grow alpine plants successfully.
As the interest and enthusiasm has returned in recent years for this specialist group of plants, amateur gardeners have been searching for a good, clear, easy to follow reference book and Michael Mitchell of Slack Top Nursery, Hebden Bridge has produced the one to buy.
It’s go excellent pictures, an A-Z of the best alpines, ideas and much more. Published by Crowood Press, RRP £19.95. For more details about Slack Top Nursery visit www.slacktopnurseries.co.uk or call 01422 845348.
_ THE Edible Garden Show – following the success of the first show at the Royal Show Ground at Stoneleigh, near Coventry, the 2012 show, from March 16 to 18, promises to be bigger and better.
The Poultry Club of Great Britain will be there – there has been an 80% increase in people keeping poultry in the last three years across Britain and the show is the perfect place to search out ideas, advice and contacts, whether you are growing just for the family or growing as part of a community garden project. Visit www.theediblegardenshow.co.uk or call 0844 338 8001 for tickets.
_ JORDANS Cereals 10% challenge – can you commit 10% of your garden to supporting wildlife?
I have and, if every gardener in Britain did the same there would be another 100,000 acres of nature-friendly habitat in Britain to help insects, birds and mammals to survive.
Visit www.jordanscereals.co.uk and click on the 10% challenge.
There is lots of free advice and a chance to win a garden makeover, designed by Marney Hall, an RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner.
