Sprouts are not just for Christmas but all year, writes Steve Amos.

I know they get a bad reputation but what a super veg and super easy to grow!

If you don’t have a veg plot they can easily be grown in a flower border as they are quite easy to plant, but can grow to well over a metre high – and they are an investment of time, though!

Sow seeds in March/April into pots and then plant out when they’re strong enough, remembering to secure well as they can blow over.

They are also readily available in garden centres in spring as ready-to-go plugs.

We had the pleasure of hosting the Tree Council and more than 50 corporate volunteers at the allotments off Waterworks Lane in Sheet recently.

With Hampshire County Council funding we began this year’s tree planting season with what I think is the first Miyawaki forest in Hampshire (pictured above).

The Miyawaki Method is one of the most effective for creating forest cover quickly on degraded land that has been used for other purposes such as agriculture or construction.

It is effective because it is based on natural reforestation principles using trees native to the area and replicating natural forest regeneration processes.

It has some significant benefits over more traditional forestry methods when used in smaller afforestation projects and is particularly effective in the urban environment.

The trees planted by this method grow much faster, jump starting the forest creation process and capturing more carbon.

Higher biodiversity has been recorded in Miyawaki forests than in neighbouring woodland, so it’s an ideal method for creating diverse forest ecosystems quickly.

I think the volunteers enjoyed themselves and I know we have mentioned it before, but the benefits of being outside and especially gardening are plentiful, not just from the perspective of being able to grow veg and flowers but the health benefits – the de-stressing from everyday life is amazing.

People come to gardening/allotmenting for so many different reasons but a real common thread is mental wellbeing so when I show people around the allotments and am able to offer people that option, it is very humbling, especially when you hear some of the troubles and tragedies some people have endured.

At this time of year there is plenty to be getting on with – and one of the earliest crops you can ‘force’ is rhubarb.

If you have a greenhouse, pot up a clump of rhubarb and cover with a large black bin – this will start to produce really sweet and tender shoots. I am not the biggest fan of rhubarb but grown like this it is amazing!

Prune fruit trees at this time of year to encourage a healthy shape and produce for next year. Also cut back fruit bushes and raspberry canes, weed and mulch heavily.

Now is also the time to be planting bare root trees and fruit canes – these could make a great last-minute Christmas gift. Either pop down or give the guys at https://www.southernfruittrees.co.uk/ a call and I know they will be delighted to help.

I am looking to have a few days off over the festive period and, depending on the weather, will no doubt be spending a few hours up at the plot, making good a few repairs to some of my carrot beds, but mainly hiding in my shed and drinking tea!

Whatever your plans I wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and great growing in 2023.