'Melon seedlings make good pets': how lockdown made us love houseplants

From orchids to apple trees, readers share their stories of the plants that kept them busy, lifted their spirits and distracted them from the endless Zoom meetingsI've accidentally fostered pumpkins, which are taking over my flat. This began around Halloween, when I discovered sprouting seeds inside my carving pumpkin. It felt like a tiny gift in a dark season, so I thought I'd try raising them and see what came of it. This was perhaps not the wisest decision in a tiny flat with no outdoor space. Pumpkins love sun, but even in the darkest part of winter, two sprouts survived. Continue reading...