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A hard ground frost is nature’s way of stratification - maturing seeds and bulbs in readiness for flowering or germination. Many seeds will not even germinate until they have gone through this process. Ever wondered how hyacinths flower early for Christmas? Basically the bulbs are refrigerated early, making them think they have gone through a winter, they then develop a bud inside the bulb ready for flowering. All your indoor hyacinths, when they have finished flowering, can be planted outside in the garden. Allow the leaves to dry off first then plant them in sheltered, well-drained soil. Next year they will flower at their normal time in the spring. Continue to get compost, and any other organic matter, onto the garden and vegetable plot. Remember though, it is not a good idea to grow root crops in ground with manure in it as it will cause the root to ‘fork’ - carrots, parsnip and beetroot will all be affected. A sign of well-rotted manure is that it has no smell. If you are offered fresh manure (smelly) don’t refuse it, you can either stockpile it, if you have the space, or get it on top of the soil. Either way it has to be left for the weather to thoroughly ‘dilute’ it. Also, while on the vegetable patch, dust the area that you intend to grow brassicas (cabbage family) with lime, this will help to control the dreaded club root. If you have had a previous problem with club root, rotate the crop. |
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| If your soil is heavy clay, as well as digging over and leaving rough dug for the frosts to break it down, a cover of gypsum will also help together with the usual organic matter. Many of you would have received houseplants of varying types over Christmas and may be having your own private breakdown (everyone is entitled to at least one breakdown after Christmas!) as you realise that you haven’t a clue as how to look after it. Trust me when I say that; over 60% of all houseplants die as a result of over-watering. A plant is more likely to recover from being dry than waterlogged. Most houseplants come with a simple plastic label stuck in or on the pot giving basic ideal conditions - light, shade etc. |
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| Assuming it is in the right position there are several ways that you can check if it needs watering. The simplest way is to stick a finger into the top of the soil, if it feels damp then it is ok. Never leave plants sitting in a saucer of water, always empty it after a couple of hours. Flowering plants will need more regular attention and will benefit from a liquid feed once a week. The foliage types tend to be less troublesome during the winter months. Dr. Hessayon’s ‘Be your own houseplant expert’ is an ideal book to have, it is simple with clear easy to understand photographs and advice, it might even save a few friendships! In the greenhouse, if you undertook an autumn sowing of Sweet Pea, the main shoots can be pinched out when they have reached 6’’ to encourage further breaking. Also early sowings of some of the summer bedding plants, Begonia, Nasturtium, Ageratum can start. You must have gentle heat though, to ward off frosts. Remember to keep the pond heater on at all times to ensure the fish can breathe. |
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Although there have been plenty of berries around for the birds, with the frosty weather, that food will vanish. Putting out seed and nuts is an ideal way of encouraging birds into the garden as well as ensuring they survive the winter. Avoid throwing the food onto the lawn, especially if there are cats in the area, a freestanding bird table or one that can be nailed to a fence post is ideal. Unfortunately, whilst encouraging birds to the garden, it is likely that members of the Finch family will be there too. These birds, although attractive, will strip flower buds from many spring flowering shrubs, particularly Daphne and Forsythia. If you are able, drape a light netting over the top before they flower to protect them. |
| Try to avoid walking on the lawn when it is frosty as this will cause damage to the grass when it thaws - brown footprints will be seen quite clearly. If there is no way of avoiding it, try to use the same path rather than going walkabout. When the weather allows, a light scarifying to remove all the autumn thatch and moss will always be beneficial. Do not apply any chemicals though, this will have to wait until the spring, after the first cut. On days when the air temperature is above freezing carry on with any pruning and cutting back that has been left over from last year. Planting can be undertaken provided the ground is not flooded or frozen. Always put a handful of bonemeal or fish blood and bone in with the planting soil. These slow-release organic foods will help to give the plant a good start in the spring. Now is the time to get any construction work done that may involve moving large or small plants. Come the middle of March it will be too late. If you haven’t done so already, move the Christmas tree away from the back door! (after it was put there because it had started to drop needles on the front room carpet). Take it down to your local dump for recycling, don’t leave it for the dustmen - to coin a popular phrase ‘every little bit helps’. |
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Happy Gardening,
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