Monday 3 November 2014

Prepare for Spring Planting

Jobs for January


If the ground is not waterlogged or frozen, planting trees, shrubs and roses can continue. Pruning can also be carried out.

Prepare ground for spring planting, eg vegetable beds and herb garden. On heavy soils leave the soil roughly dug to allow the weather to break it down.

Gardens need not be uninteresting in winter, even on the dullest day.In my garden I have a grouping of Cornus sanguinea " Midwinter Fire" ( orange stems ). Pittosporum " Tom Thumb " ( purple leaves all year ).and Sarcococca hookeriana Dignya, ( perfumed winter flowers ) . Together these 3 plants occupy 3 sq.m.of space, require minimal maintainance and look good all year.In small gardens winter flowering heathers are particularly valuable.

Why not visit a winter garden such as the one at Wakehurst Place, West Sussex, for inspiration.