December Gardening News
The finishing post is once more in sight, another year flown away, a different mash of the same ingredients. Not a bad year overall, there were certainly plenty of leaves and those that are falling are making for a bumper compost heap and the winter greens look promising. The wet has been a bit tiresome over the last weeks and access to the ground has been greatly compromised. You have had to snatch your moments if you have wanted to turn the ground, plant anything or squeeze in a late run over with the lawn mower. If you have managed a last cut, then you have probably spotted the moss, which is thriving and laying claim to many a lawn. If we do get a break in the wet weather and you fancy some exercise, a bit of aeration with a fork is worth the trouble (even now). Just assisting the movement of air and water through the ground may reduce the carpet spread of moss. There are bargains to be had in the bulb and bedding departments of many centres. Having had an unkind month and with a focus on Christmas, there is stock clearance going on. If you do pick up a few bits then try them in pots and in sheltered spots they will come good. This month is normally good for bare root plants and hedges can be planned and installed cheaply. There should be access to everything from Hawthorn and Privet to Beech and Maple. Consider carefully what you want to achieve to, then select more or less vigorous subjects to suit. Plants are usually offered in bundles as indeed are Raspberries which can also be planted now. If you want to sow a few seeds, they will need to be done undercover on a windowsill or in a cold greenhouse, but you will get results. Mustard, winter lettuce and mizuna will all pep up a salad and you can start onions from seed too. If the ground is ready you will still get away with Broad Beans. And finally, when you are done with the labouring, seek out the catalogues. Nothing lifts the spirit more than the promise of new beginnings. Every year I comment on the diversity of nature’s palette and every year new plants arrive to expand the offering. What is more it can all be found online. Happy Gardening and season’s greetings. Chris Evans www.dundrynurseries.co.uk www.thebutterflygarden.org
October Gardening News
What a joy September proved to be, with some delightful days and a real awareness of autumn knocking. I do love the low, chill watery sunrises and the smell of the changing season that sneaks across the land after dawn. The weather though hasn’t knocked out the summer crops and many things have just kept on. The runner beans have been fantastic and all the leaf vegetables look strong, with the winter crops looking very robust indeed. Soft fruit has been terrific too, with raspberries in particular being really prolific. If you have enjoyed yours this year, do try to prune out the old fruiting growth this autumn to ensure good new fruiting stems for next year. With temperatures cooling it is worth taking stock and deciding if you want to preserve tender subjects by storing them away for the spring. Watch dahlias and geraniums in particular. As space appears in the borders, there’s plenty to be picked up to bring new colour. Winter pansies and violas are everywhere as are wallflowers, sweet William, chrysanthemums and many more over wintering bits. Bulbs are in plentiful supply and all can safely be set out in the coming days. There’s a chance to refresh tubs and baskets for winter colour too. This is also a good month to implement changes, to reshape borders, create patios and introduce new shrubs and trees. Cast a glance around and see what nature is doing for the autumn, spotting berries, the turn of foliage and even flowers as you ponder on the what to plant next. A good garden should hold your attention across every season and the idea of having colour at the turn of the year is worthwhile. Look at Viburnums, Mahonias, Winter honeysuckle, Sarcococca, Jasmine as starters. In the vegetable border, you can still pop in winter onions, shallots and garlic and at the end of the month over wintering Broad Beans. If you can find a bit of shelter then winter lettuce and Mizuna are useful for pepping up the salad. As always at this time there is plenty of maintenance work to consider too. Focus on keeping this safe and secure. Cut out heavy branches, thin crowded space and tie and strap plants to avoid breakage and uprooting. And finally, if you were teased by the talk of raspberries and want to try your luck next season, then pick up canes from garden centres next month. Happy Gardening. Chris Evans www.dundrynurseries.co.uk www.thebutterflygarden.org