ACTIVITIES in and around the garden centres are just starting to warm up for the year. The first of the small, easy to grow, plug plants for the hanging baskets and annual borders are already filling up the stages. The summer bulbs, onions and seed potatoes are all on prime display.

Most excitingly for me, though, are the multi-coloured packets of seeds that have been piled onto the large white racks. I love to weave in between the rows and soak up the wonder of a million potential plants lying dormant, just waiting to burst into life.

The seasonal cycle of the large garden centre has become quite predictable now. Most of the floor space will have been given over to decorative mobiles, arty vases, hammocks and gourmet food. A large space will be used for the event of the moment, be it for Halloween costumes, pick and mix fireworks or houseplants for Mothers' Day, and come Christmas, the entire store will reverberate to the sound of a choir of merrily singing snowmen and the constant ho-ho-hoing of a jolly, bouncy Santa Clause.

The plants that are promoted tend to be those that are displaying or showing at the time. In the nongrowing season these are highly sought after, so the selling price can be pushed up quite high. I always find it best to buy these kinds of plants out of season. They are quite often much cheaper. They may have finished flowering, and may even have died down for the year, but given time will spring back up again.

Having said all that, I am a big fan of garden centres and spend a large percentage of my spare (and work) time trundling round them. Last week I got the opportunity to be present at the opening of Castle Howard's newly revamped garden retail area. My bias towards the place begins with the drive over. The road across the moors towards Helmsley is one of the prettiest and most relaxing routes in the area. The humps and rolling cambers in the tarmac almost rock you to into a deep, contented sleep. Then the steep climb up onto the plateaux provides you with just the most stunning views back towards Bilsdale.

The entrance to the Castle Howard plant centre is signposted off the long driveway in. There is ample parking, which is free. The whole of the retail area is enclosed in a walled garden, and accessed through a large elegant gateway.

On my arrival, I was greeted with a large glass of white wine and a platter of temptingly tasty nibbles. It quickly became obvious that I would be able to solve all this year's gift problems in one fell swoop. The bias was towards good quality, traditional, crafty and slightly rustic but practical goods. These ranged from solid cast iron doormats with built in boot scrapers, to willow woven hanging baskets, to linen holders for balls of twine.

By the time the strawberries and cream came round I had had the chance to go round the plants, sculptures and pots in the outside area. My basket was getting too heavy to carry, and I had to resist the temptation to load it up with any more purchases.

The day was rounded off with a mouth watering trip through Harome's delicatessen (packed full of mostly organic and home made gourmet produce). The new plant retail area at Castle Howard is more than just another garden centre; it is a full day out. Read all about it in the April edition of NE Magazine.

JOBS THIS WEEK Stock up on compost, canes, twine, trays and pots.

Make sure that you have everything ready for propagating and planting for when the weather improves.

Don't forget to get hold of plant labels. There is nothing more frustrating than forgetting, or not being able to identify seedlings.

If you took cuttings of tender plants at the end of last year (pelargoniums, fuchsias etc) they should be ready to pot on now.

Put them in fresh compost in a slightly larger pot but keep them under cover (in the green house or cold frame) until the worst of the frosts have passed.

Regain control of overgrown honeysuckle bushes.

Unless you have a huge area of land, they will need chopping back every few years. You should be able to see new shoots appearing on the stems and cut them back accordingly. It is important to get this done before the birds begin building their nests for the year.

POSTSCRIPT Tune in to 95FM, BBC Radio Cleveland's 'Ask about Gardening' every Sunday from 12-2pm, presented by Brigid Press, to hear more horticultural chat, tips and questions.

Questions for Brigid to answer in The Northern Echo should be sent to brigidpress@hotmail. com or to her c/o Nature's World, Ladgate Lane, Acklam, Middlesbrough.

Published:13/03/2004