EDITOR'S WELCOME
With the last few weeks seeing sunshine and snow, it can be hard to believe that we are in springtime, but here we are with our arms open, ready to embrace all the joyful hope and beauty of this unfolding season!
And this issue of Scotland Grows magazine is bursting with the best that springtime has to offer from bluebells and blackthorn from Karen Stewart-Russell and Scott Galloway, to growing on peppers and embracing your wilder garden side from Eli Appleby-Donald and Katie Reynolds, while Rona Dodds of Quercus Garden Plants takes over our 'Gorgeous in the Garden' page to offer hardy seasonal plant choices to enhance your green spaces.
As we move into full-blown seed-sowing season, recycling household planters for seed planting is the focus of Katrina Gelderbloem’s tips in this issue, and Andy Peasgood gives his usual creative advice, this time making a platform for displaying those gorgeous spring blooms.
We also get a little bit shady with our look at edibles you can grow in those sun-deprived spots in the garden or allotment, and Jordan Trainer recommends his top 5 houseplants for dark hallways, areas which can often seem inhospitable to plant life.
Janice Clyne gives us another set of tasty recipes for using foraged wild garlic, Dina Watt enjoys salads and strawberries, and we have tips for growing an easy, fast crop like spinach, as well as ideas to get sowing superfoods in your own growing space.
We’ve got new features for this year from Discover Scottish Gardens in every issue with recommendations of some glorious gardens to visit across the country, like the fabulous Glenarn Garden as featured on the front cover; a regular feature from the National Trust for Scotland on the gardens under their care; a new #onegardenthing feature for you in the garden; a new space to hear from horticultural groups and their shows over the year; a new news section to keep you up-to-date with the latest gardening news from around the country; and Olivia Thomas, a flower farmer joining our regular columnists with the very best advice for growing, cutting, and displaying cut flowers!
This issue features the biggest ‘What’s On’ section we’ve ever run as spring events really begin to entice us out to share the gardening love, and we’ve got more information on the garden shows running at Threave Garden, and at Scone Palace where Scotland Grows is delighted once again to be the media sponsor for Scone Palace Garden Fair which is entering its third fabulous year - and there's a ticket giveaway inside.
We’ve got so much to celebrate across Scotland in our gardening landscape as we congratulate all the worthy winners of The Caley and the ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’ Awards with photos from both events.
All this in your jam-packed spring issue, plus tips on what to do with bulbs that come up blind, how to harden off seedlings, a focus on endangered Scottish plants, an amazing chance to win a garden furniture set from Dobbies, and a look at my soggy soil situation which isn’t as depressing as it sounds.
We have been really busy putting together this huge issue, as well as getting the next series of the Scotland Grows Show ready to launch next week, but this time of year is energising isn’t it: it quite literally puts a spring in your step!
M.T. O’Donnell
Editor
Scotland Grows magazine features real Scottish gardeners, tending to Scottish gardens and allotments and showing you what grows well in them - we hope you find Issue 23 informative and inspirational!
Got thoughts on how we should evolve Scotland Grows magazine, or keen to have your say in it? Reach out by email or follow us on Instagram or Facebook. We would simply love to hear from you!