In the Garden for December 2009 / January 2010

There's a definite nip in the air now so I think we're finally heading into winter weather. It's been unusually mild for the time of year and I've noticed lots of bulbs are sending up shoots, getting ahead of themselves! Hopefully a cold snap will slow them down ready for spring. Whilst you're relaxing from the graft of the garden why not take in one of the local winter gardens. Snowdrop weekends will be held at Chippenham Hall and Anglesey Abbey. The winter garden at Bressingham Hall Gardens, or the winter walks at Anglesey Abbey or the Cambridge University Botanical Garden are all worth a look whilst they are at their peak. Most importantly have a lovely Christmas.

Tips and Hints

1. Protect any tender treasures in your garden by covering up in a blanket of horticultural fleece or moving to a heated greenhouse.
2. If your vegetable patch is still production you may need to cover with net to keep hungry winter birds from enjoying your crop.
3. To keep the lawn looking good try to avoid treading on it too much when it's sodden. If you have to take different paths to avoid patches of wear and tear. If great lakes are forming on the lawn increase drainage to the area using a fork to create drainage holes.
4. Greenhouse care is important to reduce the incidence of disease. Clean down your glass and wash the used pots ready for next year. Keep watering to a minimum to avoid rotting off. Ventilate on warmer days to improve the air circulation.
5. In January dig over your vacant vegetable plot and leave rough for the frost to aid the microorganisms working to break down organic matter in the soil. My Grandfather used to dig trenches and that he filled over time with compostable waste from the household, digging it in when he wanted to plant up in spring.
6. Take control of your climbers. Cut honeysuckle to within 30cm of the ground to promote an abundance of fresh growth for next year. Cut down Humulus lupulus 'Aureus' (Golden Hop) to within a few centimetres of the ground. It will re-scramble up to three metres in a season and benefits from a good haircut at this time of year. Prune vines hard over winter before the sap starts to rise in late winter / early spring.
7. Planting out may seem like a task associated with springtime, but now is the time to plant out your spring bedding plants, such as pansies, primulas, wallflowers and forget-me-nots.
8. Other pruning to be done over winter is to fruit trees. Pruning in the colder months reduces the incidence of disease entering the wounds. Fruit trees such as apples and pears are a prime candidates for a winter trim. Follow by a winter wash.
9. The planting of trees and shrubs can continue over the winter period. Ensure to remove any weighty snow fall from young branches to avoid breakages.
10. Bring your forced bulbs into the house for perfume over the Christmas period.