All the jobs are done, inside and out and you have a precious couple of hours of uninterrupted ME TIME carved out but the weather is lousy - what can you do?

We have put together a list of FIVE OF OUR FAVOURITE BOOKS and FILMS all with a gardening or growing theme that we have enjoyed this year There are some golden oldies in there, plus new kids on the block but hopefully something for everyone. If you have any more, we would love to hear them.

BOOKS

The Wood: The Life and Times of Cockshutt Wood by John Lewis-Stempel published by Transworld Publishers Ltd, ISBN: 9781784162436

Recommended by Rachel after a recommendation by a friend 'Just a few pages in and you are thinking 'ooh this is going to be good ' the writing is magical and you are totally there in the Wood with him. A diary of his last year managing a small mixed woodland in Herefordshire'

The Botanists Daughter by Kayte Nunn published by Orion Publishing Co, ISBN: 9781409190530

Abi's recommendation - 'A tale of two women, one a Victorian plant hunter the other modern day and the botanical mystery that links them. A good read'

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett published by Vintage Publishing ISBN: 9780099572954

A classic and for good reason. If you read it as a child, we think reading it again will transport you back.

RHS Gardening Through the Year: Month by Month Planning, Instructions and Inspiration by Ian Spence published by Dorling Kindersley Ltd ISBN: 9780241315613

A good book for beginners and aide-memoire for the more experienced too. Full of tips, suggestions and explanations.

Winter Gardens Text by Clare Foster, Photographs by Andrew Montgomery published by Montgomery Press ISBN: 9781919650708

The beauty of winter gardens and how they were realised, captured with amazing images

FILMS

Edward Scissorhands (1990) Directed by Tim Burton starring Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder and Diane Wiest

A Tim Burton classic showcasing glorious topiary - but you can use shears

This Beautiful Fantastic (2016) Directed by Simon Aboud starring Jessica Brown Findlay, Andrew Scott and Tom Wilkinson

A magical tale with twists and turns of a young woman discovering she has green fingers

A Little Chaos (2014) Directed by Alan Rickman starring Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman and Stanley Tucci

Every garden needs a little chaos, even that of Louis XIV, the Sun King. A period romp with horticulture at its heart.

Miss Potter (2006) Directed by Chris Noonan starring Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor and Emily Watson

Charming film with a serious side about a well-loved author and champion of hill farming in the Lake District

The Martian (2015) Directed by Ridley Scott starring Matt Damon

A botanist is stranded on Mars with rescue years away. He applies science to the dilemma of producing food with interesting results