Throughout the year the Soil Association is running a programme of courses around the country to introduce gardeners to the benefits and techniques of organic gardening. On  February 13th there is a course on growing organic apples and pears at Valerie’s Veggies & Plants, Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire.

Photo by J Hudson

A part-theory, part hands-on practical day, it includes the basics of pruning. Some knowledge of organic growing will enhance the value of this course, but is not essential. One or two trees will be pruned during the day, emphasizing the differences between apple and pear trees. Cost: £65.00 including light organic lunch, £52.50 for Soil Association members. Contact 01279 777178 or email grown@valeriesveggies.com to check availability. www.soilassociation.org/organicfarmschool and look under Organic Farm School for details of all the courses available.

An alpine strawberry introduced by seed company Johnsons as part of its Eastern European range of fruit and vegetable seeds has been ignored by birds, but continually ‘scrumped’ by  members of its own staff. The variety Krem (Cream) remains cream in colour when ripe, and while birds devoured unprotected red fruits of its partner Czerwony (Red) they ignored the seemingly unripe Krem.

A packet of Alpine Strawberry Czerwony and Krem costs £1.69 for 150 seeds. Both will crop well in their first year before producing larger crops in subsequent summers. www.johnsons-seeds.com

Harvey’s Garden Plants is a family run nursery in Suffolk that grows a wonderful range of hardy herbaceous plants, specializing in perennials not commonly found in garden centres. There’s a wide range of woodland plants including Helleborus, Epimedium, and Anemone as well as Euphorbia, Monarda and Grasses. They have developed a new strain of helleborus called Bradfield hybrids. Since they moved to their current site a few years ago they have started to develop extensive gardens.  Talks and events are held in The Orchard Room which is also the venue coffee, lunches and afternoon tea on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. www.harveysgardenplants.co.uk

Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ defies the season with  its glossy evergreen leaves finely edged in gold and its clusters of waxy pink flowers.

Plant it in the sunniest and most sheltered spot in your garden (it’s not very keen on growing in a pot long term), ideally near a doorway or a path so that you can admire it as you come and go.  On a sunny day its piercing lemony fragrance will stop you in your tracks.

On Sunday Andrew tidied and mulched the asparagus bed and pruned the fruit trees.