I am writing this editorial outside on my terrace with thick grey clouds above me and sporadic spits of rain falling down. Normally this would send most people running indoors, but this is pure bliss as we’ve been waiting far too long for some moisture in the garden. The temperatures are still a balmy 18 degrees C, but the feel and the sound of the rain on the rooftop, makes me want to savour each drop and watch my parched garden revel in it too. Reports are saying that we will can expect drier and hotter conditions, with the southern countries of Europe experiencing climes similar to North Africa, which means we need to get our thinking caps on when planning new garden designs and different plant strategies. I have seen the problems first hand this year with local farmers struggling to producing their crops and vegetables, having to resort to building poly tunnels not to keep the heat in but to keep it out, using shady compartments to keep air circulation moving. Tomatoes have scorched in the outdoor sun and herbs, including rosemary and oregano, have shrivelled in despair when even three times a day irrigation have not been sufficient for their needs. Worrying times indeed so we must all do our bit perhaps to create shade, conserve water and recycle. One particular friend and farmer does just that. A large cisterna is used as his water holding tank that feeds his vegetables via gravity, as it’s placed high above his fields. He has stocked the tank with a range of cold water fish including koi, and he uses their diluted waste to run into channels within the irrigation, which are then circulated back into the fish tank. The balance he has achieved is remarkable. It means he uses the borehole supply less frequently, keeps the ambience and health of the fish and provides food for his organic plants. Common sense and ingenuity together. There are no fancy valves, electric systems, pressure vessels or manuals, just simple planning and some trial and errors. Perhaps our New Year’s resolutions for 2018 should start with us all thinking a little bit more about the environment, even if it requires some home-made Heath Robinson systems to protect our most valued resources. So, welcome to our third Christmas edition. Where has the time gone? I can’t deny that it hasn’t been a struggle, as unlike any other publication out there, we rely 100% on magazine sales rather than advertising to keep us afloat. So once again I must thank our valued team, past and present, in helping us making this magazine possible and of course, you our valued readers for making us feel that we’re doing a good job. Every edition I learn something new from our dedicated writers, as I hope you do too. My knowledge of plants, succulents, weeds, herbs and geology has increased dramatically since beginning this magazine and I look forward to learning some more. As always, we try to keep the emphasis on the organic, the sustainable, and the healthy living techniques that take us forward into a challenging future. Every one of us help in our own small way to make a better future for ourselves and those to come - this big message starts from the soil. I wish everyone a wonderful, green and festive Christmas and a plant-prosperous and and love-filled New Year of 2018. And remember a plant is not just for Christmas! Much love to you all Justin and the team xxx

Articles:

• page 6 Gardening News & Views
• A look at the latest tips, plants, and equipment from around the gardening world
• page 8 Advent Garden Calendar
• Lorraine Cavanagh opens little windows on gardening delights
• page 14 Choosing the Right Christmas Tree
• We offer some tips on how to keep your tree looking good until 12th night
• page 16 Christmas Time, Mistletoe and Spines
• Alan Butler shows off some Epiphytic cacti
• page 21 Keeping your Houseplants Healthy this Christmas
• Indoor gardening advice for our housebound friends
• page 22 Festive Herbs for Winter Health with Poppy Burr
• Poppy Burr and Steve Andrews take a look at how our time- honoured Christmas trimmings have much more value than mere window dressing
• page 24 The Holly and the Ivy with Steve Andrews
• page 26 A Brief History of Fruits
• Tim Lambert looks at the origins of a traditional Christmas stocking
• page 28 Twelve Dishes of Christmas
• Around the world inspiration for alternative Christmas fare
• page 30 Focus On ... Strawberries
• page 31 Kitchen Corner with Benoît Sinthon
• The head chef at Two Michelin star restaurant Il Gallo D’Oro shows us how to wow your guests with Strawberry XXL
• page 32 Infuse some Spirits into your Holiday Season
• Lara Silaghi mixes up some festive cheer
• page 34 Greece - Land of the Gods
• OK. The presents have been opened and the guests have gone home - it must be time to plan your next summer holiday!
• page 42 Rocks and Crops part 20 - Graphite, Battery Future
• Pete Seigfried looks at the future’s possible Green Energy component
• page 44 Worm Farming for the Ordinary Household
• Squiggly little helpers to re-cycle your waste and fertilise your garden
• page 45 Reader’s Garden
• Giant veg with Graham Basset
• page 46 Cut and Come Again Plants
• Justin Wride looks at some of the easiest Mediterranean plants to grow
• page 48 Keeping Cats out of the Garden
• They’re a bit like Marmite, but even if you’re a lover, you don’t want them digging up your garden
• page 49 Focus On ... Firethorn, Pyracantha coccinea
• page 50 To Do List: December - January
• page 51 Poetry Corner with Alun Bye
• page 52 Reader’s Letters Pages
• page 54 Nitrogen - Deficient or Overused?
• When you need to add nitrogen and when to stop
• page 60 Focus On ... Viburnum Tinus - Laurustinus
• page 62 Green Pages and Photo Competition

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