Are you joining Earth hour at 8.30 pm on Saturday 30 March? Earth hour is all about encouraging everyone to turn off non-essential lights for one hour, one day of the year. Organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), it’s a symbolic hour showing commitment to the preservation of our wonderful planet. The more people who participate the better we can all think and act to help conservation of the world. But outside of Earth Hour, what can we do to consider the earth at all times?

The one day of the year we celebrate Mothers everywhere, will soon be here and it’s a day to recognise, appreciate and thank the special lady in our life. You could go for an exclusive meal or a girls day at the spa but nothing is more appreciated than a handmade gift for Mum. There is something special about the time and effort spent on a gift made at home and you won’t be short of ideas if you read on…

There is a lot about planting and garden design that we can learn from Piet Oudolf, his romantic and naturalistic approach to planting large landscapes is special and different to many other designers, which is why he is so influential in the industry. His style can be replicated in any size garden with some tweaks here and there for size but the natural drama and colour he creates for all year interest is second to none. Take a look at some of his work in places such as The Millennium Garden at Pensthorpe Natural Park to Battery Park in New York, also the High Line in New York to County Cork Garden in Ireland. So what can we learn from Piet Oudolf?