It’s that time of year again! I’m sure that, like me, you might contemplate the approach of Christmas with some dread, but I must confess that once the first delivery of Christmas trees has arrived, filling the air with their lovely pine scent, and the fairy lights go up, I can’t help but get excited by it all over again.

The centre is certainly starting to feel - and smell - very festive. Come and choose your tree if you haven’t already pre-ordered one (there are still a few more days in which to pre-order and get 10% off). We’ll put it aside and deliver it on the day you want it, unless you just can’t wait and want to take it home with you straight away. Stand by the open fire pit as you wait for your tree to be whittled down. Warm your hands and breathe in the woodsmoke, mingled with sharp pine … bet you’re in the spirit now!

Don’t just grab a Christmas tree and disappear, though. If you have time and it’s not too cold, look at all the other plants, shrubs and trees that are in stock. Holly standards, Pyracantha shrubs, Skimmia reevsiana, and Gaultheria all hosting a wealth of bright berries, be they gold, orange or red; little Cyclamen bravely displaying their delicate flower heads, Ivy trailing in swathes of silver or gold variegation; Ligustrum and Bay standards, like soldiers standing to attention; and the promise of spring in the form of indoor flowering bulbs – hyacinth and paperwhite narcissi – to fill any room with their luscious scent.

Catherine (the fabulous florist who’s joining us again this year) will open the area in front of the Vintage Shed on Saturday 8^th December, making it vibrant with berried twigs and cut flowers. She’ll be making door wreaths and table decorations which you can pick from the range already made up. Alternatively, you can book a bespoke one to be ready for you on a specified day (we can even deliver it with your Christmas tree, if you’d like us to). Drop by and have a chat with her to find out what she can do to enhance your home this festive season.

This year, for the first time, we are staying open for late night shopping on Thursdays until 7.30pm, giving you time to browse in a more relaxed manner. There’s so much to look at this year, apart from the trees and all the things Catherine is doing.

Most of you know the sort of fantastic items we stock, but just in case you need a little reminder ….

Lovely spicy scents fill the shop from our True Grace scented candle range (can’t get enough of that Cinnamon and Clove!); the ever-popular Heylandand Whittle room diffusers are fully stocked up with plenty of the new ‘Orange Spice’ variety; we’ve extended the range of heavenly glass tree decorations that we sampled last year, and which you loved so much; and we have authentic wooden decorations for your tree as well. All in all, there’s a very festive feel here.

Nkuku - who specialise in stylish, handmade, eco-friendly, fair-trade gifts - have done us proud again. We are very impressed with the quality of workmanship in the range, including contemporary chunky recycled aluminium photo frames, as well as exquisite mother-of-pearl frames; journals made from recycled sari material; beautiful etched glass and gilt tea light holders, and stunning reclaimed wooden platters.

For a funky fun stocking filler or small present, check out our brilliant ‘seedboms’. Each one comprises a generous handful of seeds contained in a recycled cardboard ‘bomb’. Just dampen the outer layer by sitting it in a little water, and then throw it wherever you want the seeds to grow … the cardboard explodes, scattering the seeds. Have a couple in the car at all times … if you drive anywhere with boring derelict verges, just chuck them out of the window (the ‘dampen with water’ bit is not essential if thrown with force at velocity!)

We love supporting local talent, so - once again - we’re stocking the delicious range of jams and jellies made by local mum and entrepreneur, Sarah, who uses locally sourced fruit, either from gardens or foraged from open spaces. These jewel-like jars make a fabulous stocking filler or small gift …or, of course, a delicious addition to any meal.

Not only do we love supporting local suppliers, but we also give a big ‘thumbs up’ to handmade, British products in general. That’s why you’ll find Burgon and Ball tools, and English Garden Product birdhouses and feeders amongst many other UK sourced products at the centre. You can see and feel the quality and care that goes into producing these items, and that’s what makes them such a lovely gift to give to the gardener or bird lover in your family.

And in the Vintage Shed? Well – it’s filled with one-off items including French wire and enamel kitchenware (including some glorious coffee pots), china and table linen, mouth-blown bottles and vases, painted French mirrors, smaller items such as tape measures housed in leather cases or tiny dice shakers, up to the huge dresser with layers of paint revealed. I recently got hold of a large amount of exquisite table linen, much of which is hand embroidered. With prices to suit every budget, each item makes a truly unique gift. Oh, and there are even a couple of wooden sledges for when the snow arrives!

In our Kid’s Corner you’ll find puzzles and games for under £5, as well as paper making kits, discovery packs, finger knitting kits and little wooden book marks in the shape of leaves and birds. Tools, gloves, buckets, watering cans and pond dipping nets for little hands are always well received.

For wildlife lovers, I’ve already mentioned the feeding or nesting boxes for birds, handmade in the UK and painted in muted tones, but we also have bug boxes, ladybird towers, and insect habitats. All of these are designed to encourage and welcome beneficial insects into our gardens – it’s the natural way to keep aphids at bay, after all, and avoids the overuse of chemicals.

All of these are in addition to the items you’d expect from your local garden centre … good quality tools, gloves, and garden sundries. As you can see, we have a wealth of items here to make Christmas shopping a stress-free and pleasurable experience. Come to us, and you’ll see why we suggest you shop locally.

Following on from this note is another from Sally with a short list of things to be getting on with in your garden.

Finally, a heads up ….

The garden centre will close at lunchtime on Christmas eve, and reopen at 10am on Friday 4^th January.

In January 2013 we are only going to be open from Friday to Sunday (10am to 4pm each day). The garden centre will be shut from Monday to Thursday. We will be open 7 days a week again from 1^st February.

Warmest wishes

Karen, Robby and the rest of the team

ps December opening hours are 9.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm Sundays.

Opening Hours November: 10.00am – 4.00pm Everyday

Opening Hours December :  9.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm Sundays. 

Tel:020 8670 7788 www.alleynpark.co.uk

Garden jobs for December

December doesn't tempt us out into the garden very much, but there are a few things worth highlighting:

• Acers, vines and birches can be pruned before Christmas, and this will avoid bleeding.
• Deciduous trees and shrubs can still be planted and moved through the winter months.
• As Monty Don said on Gardeners’ World the other week, bulbs can still be planted in December. Tulips planted right up to Christmas will flower in the spring.
• Make sure winter protection is in place around vulnerable plants and containers when the temperatures fall. Horticultural fleece can be used on all tender plants.
• Avoid walking on grass and soil when it is frozen or frosted, as this can cause damage.
• Frost and cold temperatures are beneficial in improving soil structure of previously dug soil, and may kill off some pests and diseases, so it's not all bad!
• Keep the food and water supplies going for the birds - they'll be munching on berries, but will really appreciate some high calorie treats on the bird table.

And finally, hang some lights in a tree in the garden, light the fire pit, and get the wine mulling. Or curl up with a cup of tea and some gardening books and magazines, planning next year’s planting projects. Whatever you do, enjoy the festive season and I hope that Father Christmas fills your stocking with lots of gardening goodies......

See you in 2013,

Sally

Opening Hours November: 10.00am – 4.00pm Everyday

Opening Hours December :  9.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm Sundays. 

Tel:020 8670 7788 www.alleynpark.co.uk