My £3.89 hack to keep your orchids happy – and what you should NEVER do, expert reveals

NEWS! Have you ever heard of a Mangelwurzel? Traditionally grown for livestock feed, mangelwurzels are apparently making a comeback into our kitchen gardens. Somewhere between sugar beet and beetroot, this easy to grow, giant veg can be eaten mashed, roasted or pickled. Mangelwurzel growing competitions were apparently ‘a thing’ in the 19th century, and now Heirloom Seed Company ‘She Grows Veg’ is challenging its followers to join them in a giant veg showdown, encouraging people to grow their own with the chance to win prizes for the biggest and best crop. With its massive size, vibrant colour and interesting history, the mangelwurzel is not only fun to grow, but it also stores like a dream, making it a real winter staple. It produces a huge root with abundant chard-like leaves making it a dual-purpose vegetable as both the root and leaves are edible. 

NEWS! People living with health conditions or those who simply want to use gardening to boost their wellbeing, can use a new app from charity Thrive. The ‘Cultivating Wellbeing’ app will create a personalised plan tailored to their gardening space and time - whether they’re just starting out, or an expert - and it covers any space - whether it’s an indoor windowsill, a balcony or a garden. 

It will also help you discover active and mindful activities with a library of tips, guides and resources - and track progress and reflect on your gardening journey with a reflection diary and gentle motivation to keep engaged and on track. 

NEWS! The RHS is offering fun for all the family this half-term with a magical garden adventure based on the much-loved children’s book, Guess How Much I Love You, popping up at all their Gardens. For more info visit www.rhs.org.uk

WIN!! Win one of six Love Herb Plant collections from Fyne Herbs - each £45 gift set includes six herb plants, rustic, biodegradable pots, wooden plant labels, herb snips, and a growing guide. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/FyneHerbs, or write to Sun Fyne Herbs competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 23.59GMT 22.2.25 T&Cs apply.

TOP TIP! If you’re given an orchid - repot it in a see through pot, so you can see the root health. Water once a week - and no more. 

JOB OF THE WEEK! Start thinking about sweetpeas - you can plant them in toilet rolls and then plant the whole roll when the soil warms up. Also, get the edging on your

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