Trees
and Shrubs
This
is the best time to be planting shrubs and trees.
The ground is just right as it has been hit hard
by the frost or wet weather. Make sure when planting
large items like trees that they are staked, this
will protect them from the winter gales. If you
live where there is wildlife then use rabbit guards
around the trunks, to prevent them from being nibbled.
It
is an ideal time to plant bare root hedging. You
can also cut back deciduous hedges at this time
of the year.
Climbers
and Wall Plants.
It
is an ideal time of the year to plant Clematis,
Jasmine, Virginia Creeper and Honeysuckle. If you
decide to plant a wall shrub, such as Pyracantha
and Ceanothus make sure you don’t plant the stem
right up against the wall. Leave at least 18 inches.
After planting thoroughly water the plants in. It
is advisable to put some mulch on the surface as
this will help keep the moister in. Climbers such
as clematis like their roots to be in cool soil.
Mulch or large pebbles around the surface will help
this.
Roses
Shrub
and standard roses can now me pruned back. Many
British gardeners prefer to do the final pruning
in Spring (Early March), after most of the severe
frost are gone, but at this time of the year they
can be pruned back by half as this will prevent
the winter wind tugging at them and rocking them.
It is also an excellent time to be planting roses
if you are starting a new rose garden.
Borders
and Beds
In
the herbaceous border cut back all the old tops
off of plants, such as the heads and withered leaves
or stems. Any plants that haven’t been diseased
through the summer, the cuttings can be composted
but any diseased cuttings need to be burned. If
you don’t cut them back they will provide excellent
breeding quarters for pests and diseases. Any plants
that have still got green on try not to cut back.
The green leaves have the function of nourishing
the underground parts of the plants, where reserves
of food are stored on which the plant relies in
order to start the next year’s growth.
If
you are planning a new border then you need to dig
it as soon as possible so that the soil is in the
right condition for planting in the spring. The
best time for planting is thought to be spring,
as the soil is warming up to encourage root growth.
However you can plant out at the end of autumn when
there is still some warmth in the soil from the
summer, but this does need to be done as soon as
possible.
Rock
Gardens and Pools
Remove
any fallen leaves from the rock garden. If you just
prick the soil and sprinkle either, Horticultural
Grit, Alpine Grit or Golden Grit on the surface,
this will combat fungal attack. Some alpine plants
especially the ones with woolly leaves are more
vulnerable to winter rain, so cover these plants
with a pane of glass or something similar. Leave
plenty of ventilation around the side though as
fresh air is essential.
Remove
any leaves from the surface of the pond before they
decay and foul the water. Using Crop and Pond netting
to cover the pond helps to stop the leaves from
falling in. Also it was stop your fish from being
carried off by hungry birds.
Lawns
If
you are planning a new lawn, then the digging for
it needs to be done now to produce the best soil
for sowing next spring. The last cut can be done
early in the month, and then the lawn will need
to be spiked if not done so already.
Fruit
In
favourable weather planting of fruit trees and bushes
can be carried out. Pruning of Apple and Pear trees
can be done. Grape vines need pruning whether they
are inside or outside. This will prevent bleeding
when the sap starts rising next spring.
Vegetables
Now
is the time to be planning for next years’ crops.
Organise what you are going to grow, by getting
the seeds and planning ahead. Then also this month
the plot needs digging and the soil enriching.
Greenhouse
and Frames
Glass
needs a thorough washing to increase the light levels.
House
Plants
To
avoid spindly growth, give plants plenty of light,
but move them away from the window on cold nights.
Keep the foliage plants fairly dry, but plants in
flower, such as cyclamen and bulbs, should not lack
water, or blossom buds may wither and drop.
