I have just come back from two weeks away on holiday. Whilst I was away my neighbour’s dog, Tom, dug it’s way into my garden and left at least five unwanted presents on the turf and one on the patio. It has also torn up my rhododendrons and dug three holes.

I’ve done my best to patch up the mess that Tom left, however, I can’t help feeling that my garden blames me for the whole episode. Whenever I go out the back the sun goes in and the garden takes on an immediately sullen tone. Even the gnomes seem to be scowling at me.

What can I do to make it up to my garden and rekindle the flame we once had?

Yes, your garden is angry with you. How could you go away on holiday and leave the garden in the hands of that pesty dog,Tom. This is something your garden will never get over. This is just one ot those things in life you are going to have to accept. Gnomes are one creature that has it's feeling hurt very easy and are never forgiving. You should just put them up for adoption so they will have a good home where they feel loved and cared for. After all, you've hurt them once, who's to say you won't hurt them again?