Well, that month didn’t hang about did it. Aside from the fact that the distraction of Christmas took the form of a five week prelude, that was adverts and early Christmas trees and more Black Fridays than there were actual Fridays. I think that as gardeners, many of us just ducked and let the daily chill of a spiteful breeze push us through the weeks.

The weather stayed gloomy, as did the news and the real joy was in knowing that a new season was around the corner and so were the seed potatoes. As planned, I did sweep up bargain bulbs at a couple of local garden centres and have high expectations for the tulips and as if that wasn’t impressive enough, I remembered to put by a Christmas Tree for home.

So, as we turn into a new year we can start to play, pondering seed purchases and exploring for new varieties. I am going to start a pinch or two of vegetable seed this month, probably some summer cabbage and a bit of lettuce. Both will germinate quite quickly and whilst they will need some early protection if the weather does crash, within a few days of acclimatization, they will both stand up to lighter chills. This need not be an expensive play and nature constantly confounds by delivering surprises. If you are in any doubt, just chop off the seedlings and throw them into a salad. The whole business of germination is very uplifting and the early emergence of seedlings still brings me great joy.

This month you can pick up onion sets, shallots and garlic and plant them as the weather permits. You will also be fine putting out bare root hedging and relocating anything that is in the wrong place. I have moved some quite large shrubs at this time, the plants are dormant and the shift doesn’t register.

If you have fruit,toward the end of the month you can do your pruning. Reduce over crowded and dead or diseased material to allow good air movement in the Summer. If you have moved anything to shelter this winter, give plants a health check, removing any diseased material and managing. aphids in particular. Fungal conditions and pests can make a mess.

And finally, do a rodent check around storage areas, populations of mice and rats have grown where they have found warmth and comfort.

Happy Gardening

Chris Evans
www.dundrynurseries.co.uk
www.thebutterflygarden.org