I'VE caught the spring gardening bug for the first time after being inundated with gardening knowledge from the box.

I've turned into a right little Charlie Dimmock, but with the necessary underwear.

A land dispute resulted in me acquiring a new plot which I have decided to transform into an Alan Titchmarsh-like delight.

I was out at 6.30am the other morning building my first dry stone wall, which I have to admit is not bad for a novice.

The only problem is after all that digging and stone laying I can't get my hands clean. They look like two rusty shovels complete with segs.

I'm not one for marigolds or gardening gloves, there's no way I can operate with hampered fingers.

Anyway, in my opinion they were given to us for working with not for pampering and painting.