Although it is mid-winter, there is much to be enjoyed in our gardens. Beautiful hellebores are in full bloom with “Molly’s White” being one of the most spectacular. Snowdrops and aconites are emerging while several shrubs are providing welcome blossoms.

We hope to visit Little Ponton Hall near Grantham in February to see snowdrops and aconites, while nearer home swathes of snowdrops in West Leake Churchyard are always spectacular and well worth seeing. Primroses, polyanthus and pansies are already flowering in sheltered places.

Plenty of tidying remains to be done. Fallen leaves make excellent compost, especially when mixed with other garden rubbish, household waste, shredded paper and cardboard.

Important dates for your diaries include Ruddington Open Gardens on June 13th and 14th, 2.00-6.00pm each day in support of the charities “Save the Children” and “Action for Children”, and Ruddington Village Show in St Peter’s Rooms on 19th September. Please support these events as they are important village activities!

Ruddington Gardeners’ Association (RGA) has a full programme of speakers and social events for 2026. (see http://ruddingtongardeners.co.uk), so why not join RGA as well as U3A and further your gardening knowledge and skills?

Enjoy your plants and gardens in 2026!