For a lovely splash of colour, plant some cyclamen - they are sure to brighten up any garden. For other ideas for planting and for this month's tips and advice, go to http://www.floralandhardy.co.uk/projects/22.html

Will it be a white Christmas? Wouldn't that be lovely!
If not, and the rain and snow stay away, you can make use of your deck, patio or courtyard in your garden. Even if you have a small garden, you don't need much room to party! If you'd like a garden makeover, have a look at some of these small gardens, patio designs and courtyard designs to give you some inspiration, then all you need is the excuse to party! http://tinyurl.com/garden-designs

The Gardener's Prayer

O Lord, grant that in some way it may rain every day, say from about midnight until three o-clock in the morning, but, you see, it must be gentle and warm so that it can soak in; grant that at the same time it would not rain on

campion,





alussum,




helianthemum,




lavender



and the others which in your infitine wisdom know are drought-loving plants - I will write their name on a bit of paper if you like - and grant that the sun may shine the whole day long, but not everywhere

(not, for instance, on spiraea,




or on gentian,





plaintain lily,






and rhododendron)




and not too much; that there may be plenty of dew and little wind, enough worms, no plant-lice and snails, no mildew, and that once a week thin liquid manure and guano may fall from heaven. Amen

Karel Caper The Gardener's Year 1929