Articles About Vic

Providing support with growing kits

Providing support with growing kits

A couple of weeks ago I put together some growing kits for the Wellbeing Support Team and their clients at Emmanuel House Support Centre. Can you help me to make more?

Windowsill herb pesto

Windowsill herb pesto

I once heard a chef on Radio 4 say that to make pesto you can use any green herb, any nuts and any cheese. With windowsill herbs and cupboard ingredients, here goes!

The first rose – Primrose

The first rose – Primrose

It isn’t a rose at all, not even in the same family but wow does this beauty deserve the title. Here’s a shout out to the humble, dainty primrose.

Gorse flower cordial

Gorse flower cordial

When gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of season. When gorse is in bloom, make refreshing gorse flower cordial and floral ice.

On Flowers by Amy Merrick

On Flowers by Amy Merrick

I heard Amy say in a podcast that she had waited nearly a decade to write this book. What she has created is testament to doing something at the right time for the most perfect result.

The connections plants make

The connections plants make

I don’t think it’s any accident that when we make connections with plants, we make connections with each other. Plants and flowers soften us in a way that’s quite unique.

Petal printed top

Petal printed top

Of anything I’ve ever created using flowers and plants, this is one of my all time favourites. It has the perfect combination of simplicity, satisfaction and a beautiful outcome.

Recent articles

Providing support with growing kits

Can you help me provide growing kits and / or creative plant based activities to a charity that supports people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless? A couple of weeks ago I put together twenty kits for the Wellbeing Support Team and their clients at...

My journey to Social and Therapeutic Horticulture

I distinctly remember the first time I noticed the significant positive effect that gardening has on my body and mind. I even spoke it out loud at the time. I also remember years later when I realised how profound that effect is. This catalysed my journey of learning...

Rose infused hand salve…and plant nostalgia

When the roses are in bloom I smell them all the time. Their scent is so delicious that ideally I'd like the flower to be as big as my head so I could bury my face right inside it, close my eyes and inhale. Which is why I decided to make a rose infused hand salve. The...

That thing you’re feeling… It’s biophilia

There are times when our hearts yearn for mountain views or to be surrounded by tall trees. Some of us might crave a coastal escape, listening to the waves and breathing in the salty air. Some of us need to work our hands in the soil and nurture plants. In the past...

Windowsill herb pesto

I once heard a chef on Radio 4 say that to make pesto you can use any green herb, any nuts and any cheese. The other guests on the culinary programme gasped in horror at such a controversial statement and I thought "This is the kind of happy-go-lucky attitude to...

The first rose – Primrose

When I look around my garden at the moment, there are waves of pretty crocuses, cheery daffodils and pink blossom appearing on the trees but the real show stealers are the primroses. Through the exceptionally wet and dull winter we've had here in Nottingham these guys...

Gorse flower cordial

"When gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of season". What a lovely expression. Thankfully, gorse is in boom pretty much all year round and at some times of the year they seem to be the only offering of sunshine. Their bright yellow flowers, usually seen from afar...

On Flowers by Amy Merrick

I heard Amy say in a podcast that she had waited nearly a decade to write this book. On Flowers: Lessons from an Accidental Florist is testament to doing something at precisely the right time for the most perfect result. When I ordered this book I had no idea how big...

The connections plants make

I don't think it's any accident that when we make connections with plants, we make connections with each other. I discovered how true this is when I was selling edible flowers. My customers would tell me how excited they were about the flowers, how they were going to...

Petal printed top

Of anything I've ever created using flowers and plants, this is one of my all time favourites. It has the perfect combination of simplicity, satisfaction and a beautiful outcome. Two of the most appealing things about flower pounding are that you don't need any...