In the garden this week: Snowdrops and chillies

Tiptoe through the snowdrops Snowdrop walks are go! If you like a winter meander around a grand estate, now's the time, as snowdrops are erumpent in the dreary winter landscape. See them amid medieval ruins at Walsingham Abbey in Norfolk , carpeting 70 acres of woodland at Cambo Estate in Fife , or hunt for rare varieties at Easton Walled Gardens in Lincolnshire . Can't take the heat? Chillies aren't all about heat. Choose the right varieties, and you can enjoy subtle aromatics and flavours without the full vindaloo hit. 'Apricot' has hints of melon and apricot, 'Big Jim' has huge, mild fruits ideal for stuffing, and 'Poblano' has a chocolate-brown skin and a meaty texture. Sow now, in a heated propagator – they need a long season to ripen fully. All can be found at the Otter Farm shop , a brand spanking new source of unusual edibles.