TOPICAL TIPS
Gardening is a great way to banish the winter blues as we embark on seasonal activities that are safe, sensible and so satisfying. Once a gardener, you are gripped and it isn't something you will be inclined to shy away from. Ensure you are wrapped up against the elements and have a good stretch before you begin. Take arms against the frost, the wet, the snow and the cold and let Mother Nature help keep you fit!
Continue to avoid walking across wet soil and grass or use a plank to spread out your weight across a larger surface area if needs be. Ensure that the any fallen leaves are brushed off the top of plants; in doing so you may discover that plants in containers are in need of a top dressing. Ensure that your bag of fresh compost is not left out in the elements as it will take up the moisture and be very difficult to handle. Following last month's snowfall, those plants protected with horticultural fleece, will need to be checked as they may well be saturated beneath and therefore the protection has no future benefit. Check also that the frost hasn't lifted any of your plants; secure them in by firming the ground around with your heel and cover with a surface mulch to help keep the frost at bay.
In the Kitchen Garden you could assist in warming up the ground by covering your patch with black plastic. Once the weeds start emerging in your garden it is a good indication that the ground is ripe for planting! Remove the weeds of course and start planting your early veg, such as carrots, parsnips, early beetroot and onions. To provide an environment that is both temperate and protective against the elements use a cloche. A polythene film is perhaps the cheapest way to do it erect one- the sheeting should be stretched over wire hoops and fixed to the ground, but do leave the ends open to provide ventilation. If you're lucky enough to have room for a greenhouse and it is heated, mid month is the best time to plant tomatoes, cucumber, strawberries and okra. Early potatoes can be grown in a space saving sturdy bag with vegetable growing compost.
Clumps of Snowdrops may be divided once they have finished flowering to prevent them becoming overcrowded and replanted elsewhere. Other perennials should have unsightly foliage and stems removed.
Winter flowering shrubs (no longer in bloom), shrubs that flower in summer on the new wood produced from the spring, such as Lavatera and hardy evergreens, such as Viburnum tinus, may all be pruned now. Group 3 Clematis such as the Viticella should be pruned back to within a couple of buds.
Hedges that need trimming should be done immediately before the nesting season starts and don't forget to ensure that your garden bird's watering stations are not frozen over.
