Trees
and Shrubs
Planting
out may still be carried out, but only when the
weather conditions are correct. Don’t plant out
on a frosty morning as the ground will be too hard
and cold. Planting needs to be carried out when
the ground is soft and damp. Some hardy shrubs can
be tender in the early stages so it is wise to give
them protection using ‘Frost Protection Fleece’
Mulching
with decorative bark will protect young roots from
severe frost. Plants need to be shaken in snow,
as snow can weigh branches down and damage them.
Roses
Most
of the leaves will have now fallen and, if un-diseased,
you can gather them and place them on a compost
heap. If any leaves do look diseased then they need
to be disposed of. Planting can still be carried
out when the ground is soft and damp.
If
pruning hasn’t been carried out yet, then this needs
to be done. You only need to cut back by half at
this time of year. This prevents wind damage during
the winter months. If the rose bed has become hard
during the season, then it needs forking over and
then organic matter needs to be put on the top.
This will prevent it from being beaten down by the
rain.
Beds
and Borders
Now
that most of the herbaceous plants have finished
and died back for the winter, you can brighten them
up using winter bedding, such as Pansies, Violas,
Cyclamen, Bellis and Primroses.
Some
of the biennials in the garden like Sweet William
will need fallen leaves removing from them. If they
get smothered in leaves too much in the cold damp
air they are likely to rot.
Rock
Gardens and Pools
It
is advisable to try and keep one part of the pond
unfrozen in order to allow noxious gases to escape.
If not these can are harmful enough to kill fish
and plant life. Protection, such as fleece or weed
control fabric can be draped over the pond to try
and prevent it from becoming frozen. If the pond
does become frozen, you can put boiling water in
a pan and stand the pan on the surface, as this
will melt a hole in the surface.
Lawns
If
the ground isn’t too wet spiking can still be carried
out to improve aeration and drainage.
Fruit
In
favourable weather hardy fruit trees and bushes
may still be planted out. Apple and Pear trees may
still be pruned For ‘stoned’ fruit trees, leave
the pruning until spring.
Vegetables
Vegetables
in open ground will benefit from being protection
so that they aren’t spoilt by the frosts. Late cauliflowers
may be saved by breaking a larger outer leaf over
the head to protect it as it develops.
If
you have any vegetables in store then it is wise
to check them regularly for disease. Remove any
that are diseased as it can contaminate the others.
Greenhouse
and Frame
If
you haven’t yet cleaned the glass or frame it is
a good time to it using Armillatox or Jeyes Fluid.
It is a good time to insulate them as well with
bubble wrap.
House
Plants
Keep
newly bought plants away from draughts, as these
plants have been protected in plastic sleeves in
transportation and will need time to get used to
the air flow around them. Be careful not to over
water. It is too easy to make the compost too soggy
and if this happens the roots lack sufficient air.
