The months of December to February are often seen as the gardener’s hibernation period. Lawns and hedges are dormant and don’t need cutting, most weeds are relatively static (thank goodness) and it’s too early to sow most seeds, even indoors. However, winter is a good time to catch up on routine maintenance jobs and possible projects which are sometimes neglected at other times. Here are some of the winter tasks I’ve been doing during December and have planned to carry over to January.
1. Clearing leaves from lawns and adding to composting bins. Mixing in grass cuttings speeds up decomposition. I find that leathery beech leaves take up to two years to rot down to fine compost. This can be dug out from the bottom of the compost bin or heap, and the remainder turned over to rot further.
2. I don’t bother lifting dahlia tubers now. I’ve found that, after the first frosts, if I cut down the remaining foliage and mulch the ground with at least 2 inch of compost, the dahlias seem to survive the winter. I’m trying similar protection with my begonia corms in tubs. In this case I’ve covered the tub surface with a layer of chopped ‘dead’ perennial stems from asters and rudbeckias. I’ve also placed the tubs close to the patio windows so hopefully, the ‘borrowed’ heat, will help the corms survive the winter frosts.
3. Our vegetable plot has provided too many crops for a small family and to avoid eating over productive lettuce and kale at every meal, I’ve removed a couple of growing beds and prepared the soil for extending the lawn by sowing grass seed in April.
Protecting begonia corms in tubs
4. The cold greenhouse is sheltering cuttings of heleniums, bedding penstomens and salvias which will be grown on and planted out in the spring. They should not be over watered in the cold temperatures of winter. Lift the pots and if they are light, add a touch of water. If they are fairly heavy, leave them alone. Plants can often cope with cold or wet conditions, but not both at the same time.
5. The greenhouse borders are also sheltering winter salads which were planted in late September from seeds sown in modules. in mid August. I’ve found ‘winter density’ lettuce, mizunu and the appropriately named mustard ‘’Green in the snow’’ reliable croppers through to early winter.
6. Once the months of December and January were once given, by horticulturists, as times to cut back and tidy up border perennials. However, now we are encouraged to leave them alone until late winter. This allows the seed head to provide food for the birds and the dead foliage protects the ground from frost, besides giving wind protection for neighbouring tender plants.
7. Finally, now is an ideal time to give garden tools a good clean, lubrication and rust prevention, by spraying with WD40. Although a chore, it’s also a good idea, especially on a sunny day to clean out sheds.
David Brown
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