The February Garden

February is still feeling pretty wintry, and while there may be a few shoots coming up, we've still got a while to go before spring really arrives. So what can you do in the garden in February?

Well, February is mainly the month for cutting the winter shrubs and foliage back to keep it neat, and pruning those shrubs to encourage growth in the spring. You'll need to protect any vulnerable plants from the frost if you haven't already, by wrapping them in insulation such as garden fleece, and raise pots and containers off the ground where possible.

In your vegetable bed you can start sowing vegetable seeds such as leeks, onions and celeriac under cover. The outside vegetable bed won't be ready just yet, but you can prepare it by removing the weeds and forking in plenty of compost, then cover it with plastic to warm it up ready for spring planting.

In the fruit garden it's mainly just pruning to be done. Stone fruit trees can be planted now.

Around February is the time to order any seeds and plants, so you can plan your spring garden from the warmth and comfort of your armchair. You can also give your gardening equipment a check, to make sure it's all ready for spring, get the lawn mower serviced and make sure the shears aren't rusty. It might also be worth checking garden centre sales, as this could be the perfect time to get hold of some great value pots and gardening equipment at a great price!

British Food Fortnight ends today!

Have you been aware that today is the last day of  British Food Fortnight?! Well, it began on the 20th September and ends today, but what it is all about?

British Food Fortnight happens every year and is the opportunity to celebrate some of the best food and drink in the world, which Britain produces. On top of that, the fortnight is also home to the 'Bring home the harvest' campaign, which aims to bring back the celebration of harvest and British foods across the nation.

If you've been aware of the fortnight then maybe you've been getting involved like many others across Britain. From making sure you buy local produce, to growing your own, to getting involved in a local harvest festival, there have been a variety of ways to get involved.

British Food Fortnight was started in 2002 with a group of 10 vicars who wanted to organise activities in communities across Britain for the national food promotion. It provides a good opportunity for individuals and those working in retail and catering to pay attention to where their food comes from, and to take steps in making their produce more locally sourced. More and more pubs and restaurants can be seen to proudly advertise their British produce, and the positive reaction this tends to have has in itself become a selling point.

Many retailers, large and small alike, have held special events over the fortnight to celebrate British food, and even schools and hospitals in some areas have had a special seasonal British menu to celebrate.

If you've missed the British Food Fortnight, don't panic, the aim is mainly to raise awareness of British produce, so why not see if you can buy all British grown products the next time you're in the supermarket to show your support, or buy from a local greengrocer, butcher, baker etc. You might be surprised at how much British produce you already buy. With food produce quality as high as it is in Britain, it's well worth it, and will taste great too!

2014: Year of family farming

2014 is the international year of family farming, but what does that mean for you if you don't happen to have your own family farm?! The focus on family farming for the year has been declared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, to highlight the important role that family farms play in the world's food production, and to raise awareness so that this production can be optimised.

So what is the importance of family farming? Across the world, family farming helps preserve traditional food products, and helps safeguard the sustainable use of natural resources. Ultimately, it provides small-scale farmers with the opportunity to help boost their local economy. By focussing on family farming for the year, the aim is to help increase awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by smallholders, and to find effective ways of supporting family farmers.

Many small farms lack the resources needed to succeed and keep going through difficult times, whether that be through weather conditions, financial issues or lack of manpower. By raising awareness throughout this year, the hope is that governments and other bodies will be forced to direct more help to family farms across the world, of which there are over 500 million. Family farming is of course important in the UK, but even more so in poorer, underdeveloped countries where running and taking care of  land can mean the difference between feeding their families or going hungry. One of the aims of this year of family farming is to try and eradicate hunger and poverty, and ultimately to improve the livelihoods of farm owners across the world which in turn will improve global food security.

Why not be inspired by this year of family farming and get out and planting veg in your own garden or allotment? Or take a trip to a local farm with the kids this summer holidays? Have a look for some local farms in the Milton Keynes area to visit, click here.