Last Updated on 06/12/2021 by Amber Williams Nothing says Christmas like a hearty mug of spiced apple cider. Its spices and hearty aroma give us that festive feeling that we all hunt for this time of year! Servings: 6 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes You will need: 1 litre vintage cider (or apple juice if you prefer no alcohol) 4 cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 2 star anise 1 orange 4 tbsp ginger syrup from a stem jar 3 tbsp light soft brown sugar Instructions: In a large pan, heat up the cider, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise for a few minutes until fragrant ..read more

Last Updated on 26/11/2021 by Esther Roberts We put your baking skills to the test with our latest competition, and it has finally come to a close! Competitions where you get involved and show us your talent – whether its photography or baking are what we enjoy the most. For the November months we wanted to bring to light our favourite winter warmer and get YOU baking! Now to present the winner of our Get Baking Competition, you might not be crowned the Bake-Off champion but you’re the best of our bunch! Lidiya Joseph The lighting, the set-up, the props, the photography… we love everything ..read more

Last Updated on 22/11/2021 by Amber Williams Looking for the perfect stocking filler for any gardening enthusiast? Rose Ray’s ‘Into Green’ is the perfect pick that will get you plenty of praise this festive season. This December, our book club is focusing on this lovely read that is due to be released days before Christmas. “Into Green is an invitation to journey into nature, no matter how urban your environment or green your neighbourhood”. Ray’s book provides a selection of fun projects and gardening wisdom, helping you to build confidence with nature. Her aim is to help you add simple bu ..read more

Last Updated on 19/11/2021 by Amber Williams Many of our plants are supplied are loose roots. These twiggy-looking sticks are the equivalent of bulbs, but just in a slightly different skin! As you can imagine, these interestingly-formed plants are somewhat different to plant than your average bulb. If you’ve received one of our loose rooted plants and have no clue where to start, then this handy little guide is here to do exactly that – guide you from A to B with minimal stress, confusion, and head scratching. Let’s begin. When to Plant Loose Roots Many of our loose rooted plants are eithe ..read more

Last Updated on 12/11/2021 by Amber Williams 19th century London, as history recalls, was a tough ride for most, regardless of whether you were rich or poor. Many people went hungry, cold, and worked tirelessly for their money. Due to a myriad of reasons, whether it was due to losing loved ones from disease or just a lack of income, hundreds (if not, thousands) of children became orphans at a young age. With living conditions the way they were, children as young as five had to find themselves work. Stall merchants and street sellers were a common sight on the cobbled streets of our capital ..read more

Last Updated on 10/11/2021 by Esther Roberts Gardening is not the most simplest of hobbies to just pick up and do. There are many factors that can make the whole process a little bit messy and confusing, especially for those who have just started. Whether you’re a newbie or a novice, there are quite a few common gardening mistakes that you can make, and here is how to avoid them. 1. Not knowing how to treat your clay soil Soil types, just like garden space and sun placement, play an important part in planning your garden. If you’re after certain plants to suit your soil, this guide will help ..read more

Last Updated on 08/11/2021 by Amber Williams November has well and truly crept up on us, and with it came bitterly cold weather. Warm yourself from within by enjoying this incredibly tasty (and easy to make!) potato & leek soup. Servings: 4 people Preparation time: 25 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes You will need: Equipment Large pan Grease proof paper or baking parchment Blender (hand-held or otherwise) 450g potatoes 450g leeks (the white part) 1 onion 50g butter 1.2 litres vegetable or chicken stock 142ml double cream or crème fraîche Salt and pepper to taste Finely ch ..read more

Last Updated on 04/11/2021 by Esther Roberts Looking to become a more eco-friendly gardener? Curious about the little creatures in the garden? Love growing pollinator-friendly plants? For our November book club, those questions and more are answered in this RHS certified read by Holly Ferrell and Gareth Richards. With the subtitle ‘A Gardener’s Collection of Handy Hints for Greener Gardening’ there is no surprise what this little book entails. If you’ve got questions about eco-friendliness, sustainability and general gardening myths, then this book has you covered. The book also includes a l ..read more

Last Updated on 01/11/2021 by Esther Roberts November, a time for winter warmers and festive thoughts and our latest competition which is fresh out of the oven! We love hearing about how many of you make and enjoy our recipes and thought that for November we would put your efforts at the forefront. Whether you’re a novice baker or are ready for the Bake-Off tent, this competition calls for all hands on deck. A delicious recipe for all the friends and family, our Parker’s Apple Crumble recipe is perfect for the winter months and gives you the chance to put your baking skills to the test! How t ..read more

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