I think it would be fair to say that a unanimous decision has been reached in the peat vs no-peat debate. Gardeners, environmentalists and the government all agree that we should be minimising the use of peat-based composts to preserve peat bog habitats, and instead replacing their use with sustainable alternatives.

Ideal conditions:

• Sunshine, temperatures +1C

• Good company – boyfriend, family, friends, fellow allotmenteers

• Ground conditions that are not frozen or muddy (although I’ve made raised beds in both and they’ve turned out ok)

This weekend I’m going to build a fifth raised bed in the allotment – not to grow more veg, but for cut flowers. I was inspired by Rachel de Thame who last year decided to stop growing vegetables and grow masses of flowers instead.