St James The Great

​Old Milverton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

​Geoff's Eco Tips

Geoff’s Eco-challenge for Mid-Winter Dec 2024/Jan 2025: ‘Natural home-made Christmas Wreaths and Mid-Winter bulb planting’

The Christmas part of the Eco challenge this winter is to make your own ‘natural’ Christmas Wreath.

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In all honesty this is something we have rarely done before but will be trying this year. Whilst out dog walking over the next couple of weeks, we will be taking a bag and seeing what we can find – holly sprigs, ivy trails, pine cones, seed heads or rose hips etc (as long as we have the OK from the landowner where appropriate and leave enough berries for the birds!) ….

There is a lot of freely available information and instruction on the web to help you design and make your wreath. See links below to the relevant pages on the National Trust and BBC Gardeners world websites: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/crafts/make-a-natural-christmas-wreathwww.gardenersworld.com/how-to/diy/how-to-make-a-christmas-wreath/

​If you want to really learn the skill, ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ are running an Online ‘Zoom’ wreath making workshop on Tuesday December 10th from 2pm to 3pm. This does have a booking fee, but it includes receiving a wreath ring and binder wire by post and covers how to forage for ingredients as well as how to make your wreath. However, places are limited, and booking must be completed before 2nd December to allow time for receipt of a package and foraging ahead of the workshop. You can find out details and book using the link below:www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/event/online-wreath-making-workshop-with-laurawillgoss-of-wildgoose-nursery/

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Mid - winter up to the end of January is the time for planting tulip bulbs. The other part of the Eco-challenge this winter is to plant some up. However, bear in mind that the use of pesticides is high in much of the tulip industry and there is increasing awareness of the damaging effects of pesticide chemicals to the environment and to human health. Try to find organic bulbs and varieties that are particularly attractive to early emerging bees to set them off to a good start in 2025. Some organic tulip bulbs could also make a nice Christmas present for someone, if you are looking for ideas.

With love

Geoff 

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