Some 80% of the flowers bought in Britain are imported, often from as far afield as Colombia and Kenya. While there will no doubt always be a market for out-of-season roses on Valentine's Day, many of the flowers we buy could be grown locally - if only we demanded it.

This is the cutting patch in Somerset where I grow my flowers. I started two years ago, using the No Dig method. It's incredibly hard work and there have been times when the obstacles almost proved too much (see Blog) but when the sun's shining and the bees are buzzing, it's paradise!