WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH?

It’s a New Year and the first signs of winter have arrived. It’s cold and wet outside and the days are still dark and short. Snowdrops, aconites, hellebores are coming into flower. A mild December has brought some out earlier than usual giving us a glimpse of the season to come. But there are still plenty of things you can be getting on with ready for the new season. Here’s our guide on what you could be doing.

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General Maintenance

1. It’s time to recycle the Christmas tree that has provided such Christmas cheer over the last few weeks. Your local council usually has a collection point for recycling Christmas trees. Alternatively you can chop up your tree and shred it to make a mulch for your borders.

2. If you have a greenhouse now is a good time to give it a good tidy up. Clean up pots and trays so that you are ready to sow those seeds in spring.

3. If you have guttering around your shed or greenhouse, give it a clean out so that any connected water butts can fill up through the winter.

4. Clean and sharpen garden tools ready for spring. It’s worth wiping metal tools with a light oil to keep them from corroding.

5. Keep topping up bird feeders and break any ice on bird baths to keep our feathered friends well fed and watered through winter. You might also want to put up a bird box in sheltered spot, on a shed or wall, before the nesting season begins.

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Flowers & Shrubs

1. If the ground is not too wet or frozen, you can still plant hedging shrubs and roses but get these done as soon as possible before the ground freezes.

2. Cut back old perennial stems and leaves that have gone soggy and add to your compost heap.

3. Deadhead winter pansies and violas regularly and remove any leaves that are affected by downy mildew or black spot.

4. Move dormant plants that are in the wrong place.

5. Prune climbing roses while they are dormant.

6. If you have Hellebores remove any leaves that have black blotches to limit the spread of leaf spot disease.

 

Fruit & Vegetables

1. Prune apple and pear trees, remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches to reduce congestion. Create a tree with an open vase shape.

2. You can give Wisteria its January pruning by cutting back last year’s shoots to 2-3 buds from the main framework.

3. Force rhubarb by covering with a bucket. This will encourage it to produce tender new stems.

4. Plan this year's crop rotation to ensure you grow each type of crop in a different bed to the previous year.

5. Prune gooseberries and redcurrants, cutting side shoots back to three buds from their base. Prune black currants removing about a quarter of the old stems.

  

It's a New Year and a new start for the garden. Just like in December think about all the plants and crops that thrived and those that struggled. Remember the gaps that need filling and what looked good when. Is there a time of the year when your garden needs a little extra help or does something need moving? Get your plan ready this year’s displays of colour and plentiful harvest. If you find you need fleece, pot feet or anything else for the garden come and see us at Thorp Perrow Garden Centre and see how we can help. We look forward to seeing you. 

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