Hyacinths for Gifts

At this time of year, we get ready to plant some hyacinth bulbs for Christmas. All year, I pick up pretty bowls from thrift shops and jumble sales as I see them.

In October, I'll fill them with bulb fibre and plant two or three bulbs in each one, covering the bulb. I then put them in a dark, cool place (a shed or a garage?) until the first shoots appear. Then bring them in and put them in a cool place inside, not dark but not in direct sunlight.

Water them sparingly, but be careful not to water the bulb itself as it will rot. By Christmas, they'll be just about to flower. They make really lovely, fragrant gifts.

By Lucy from Oxford, UK