With the new year brings many new opportunities – including a stunning summer garden! But waste no time this month, there’s still plenty to do in the British bleak mid-winter!
- Dead-head winter-flowering pansies and violas to keep them in flower and check for watering in dry spells.
- Prune fruit trees, removing dead, damaged, rubbing and shading branches.
- Keep off the soil and lawn when it’s wet to prevent compaction.
- Finish winter cultivation, working country natural manure into the soil.
- Be ready to fleece or cover any tender plants from heavy frosts.
- Keep the mower on standby – in this mild weather, the grass is growing.
- Clean your greenhouse or cold frame of overwintering bugs and clean the glass for better light transmission.
- Remove old wood, leaf litter and places that snail, slugs and bugs can hide.
- Drain your hoses and fittings, and lag your tap against freezing.
- Keep a bag of rock salt handy just in case we get a freeze.
- Feed the birds, they’ll appreciate the help.
- Plant your ‘in the green’ potted Spring bulbs.
- Enjoy Fresh cut flowering Daffodils indoors (available at Ruxley Garden Centre right through the Winter)
- Carry on planting – mild weather is ideal for getting a headstart
