Midwinter MAGIC

Great ideas for greening up your new year

- SHARON SWEENEY

White-bulb moment

Usher in early spring with a fragrant display of paperwhite narcissi in just five to six weeks. Forcing bulbs tricks them into thinking it’s spring so that they flower early. Plant bulbs in compost mixed with potting grit in deep pots and keep below 10°C – in the shed are ideal. Water lightly if needed. When shoots begin to appear, bring them into a bright spot inside. Scented Indoor Narcissus Collection, £16.95 for 15 bulbs, from sarahraven.com.

Buy of the week

Resolved to do more gardening this year? Set your intention with tools like this gorgeous RHSendorsed trowel and fork set, £22.99 from burgonandball.com. It’s engraved with a quote from famous gardener Gertrude Jekyll: ‘The love of gardening is a seed once sown, that never dies’.