March
Mar
10
Today I must....divide my snowdrops…
If you are planning to reposition your snowdrops (species of Galanthus) now is a good time. Unlike most bulbous plants, snowdrops are best moved while growing, not when dormant.
Mar
09
Today I must....prune my gooseberry bushes…
If you did not prune your gooseberry bushes in the autumn, now is the time to do so. Cut back the main stems by a third and side shoots back to the third bud. Make the cuts just above a bud.
Mar
08
Today I must....prune my rose bushes…
Prune rose bushes, cutting back weaker-growing plants harder than strong-growing ones as this will encourage new growth. Use clean, sharp secateurs and cut back to a dormant, outward facing bud.
Mar
07
Today I must....propagate my delphinium cuttings…
Propagate delphinium and Michaelmas daisy cuttings which should be in growth now if they were brought into the greenhouse in January.
Mar
06
Today I must....sow perennial plant seeds…
If you have not done so already, sow perennial plants such as aquilegia, delphinium, Eryngium and oriental poppies (Papaver orientale). Apply gentle heat and the seeds should germinate within three weeks and make substantial plants by the autumn – ready to flower next year.
Mar
05
Today I must....propagate my Chrysanthemums…
To propagate Chrysanthemums, remove developing shoots, trim them, and place them in pots or trays of a sandy compost to root under cover.
Mar
04
Today I must....prepare the ground for hedge planting…
Prepare the ground ready for planting an evergreen hedge next month, making sure you remove all perennial weed roots from the site.
Mar
03
Today I must....check my young outdoor plants…
Check young outdoor plants for wilting, especially if the weather has been sunny and windy as these conditions can quickly dry them. If necessary, damp foliage with a fine spray.
Mar
02
Today I must....sow my dahlia seeds…
Sow dahlia seeds in good seed compost and keep them at a temperature of around 18degrees C (64 degrees F). Once they have germinated, prick them out into seed boxes or individual pots.
Mar
01
Today I must....trim summer-flowering heathers…
Trim summer-flowering heathers with a pair of sharp shears. Cut off the flowered growths but be careful to prune no lower than the base of the flowering spike.
February
Feb
28
Today I must....manage my hedge roots…
If you have a problem with hedge roots crowding into a border take a spade and push it hard into the ground along the length of the hedge, in a line about 45cm (18″) from its centre. This will sever the roots without harming the hedge.
Feb
27
Today I must....check over my canes…
Examine any canes and stakes you intend using later in the year and ensure they are in good condition. If necessary, cut them back to remove any rotting material.
Feb
26
Today I must....prune back my Pyracantha…
If you did not prune wall-trained Pyracantha in the autumn, cut back any long growth that extends beyond the general framework to within two buds of the main frame.
Feb
25
Today I must....prepare to sow a new lawn…
If planning to sow a new area of lawn in the spring, prepare the ground now if it is not too wet or frosty. Use a cultivator with prongs to break up lumpy areas.
Feb
24
Today I must....check my shrubs for winter damage…
Check shrubs for any signs of disease, weather damage or dead wood and remove using a clean and sharp pair of secateurs.
Feb
23
Today I must....thin out my hardy annuals…
Finish thinning out hardy annual plants sown in autumn, but only do this if the weather is dry – don’t walk on the soil if it is sticky. Use spare plants to fill up any gaps elsewhere in your garden.
Feb
22
Today I must....cut back my clematis…
Cut back Jackmanii and Viticella groups of clematis to about 30cm (12″) from the ground. However, if you want early flowers prune less severely.
Feb
21
Today I must....complete my tree pruning…
Formative pruning of deciduous trees should be completed by the end of this month, otherwise developing buds could be damaged. Cherry trees and other Prunus species are best left until early summer.
Feb
20
Today I must....formative prune my deciduous trees…
Formative pruning of deciduous trees should be completed by the end of this month, otherwise developing buds could be damaged. Cherry trees and other Prunus species are best left until early summer.
Feb
19
Today I must....continue dead-heading winter-flowering pansies…
If you dead-head winter-flowering pansies regularly they will reward you by continuing to bloom right into spring or even early summer.
Feb
18
Today I must....increase my favourite heathers…
Increase a favourite heather by ‘dropping’ it. This technique involves digging the plant up and putting it in a large new hole leaving just the tips showing. Backfill with a gritty compost. Within a year the stem tips should have formed new rooted plants.
Feb
17
Today I must....cut back my autumn-fruiting raspberries…
Cut back autumn-fruiting raspberries now to ground level, to allow new growth in the spring. Feed with a high-potash fertiliser afterwards.
Feb
16
Today I must....keep watering my containers…
Plants left in containers grown outside can often dry out at this time of year – especially evergreens. Water as necessary, ideally in the morning, but be sparing and don’t do it if a frost is forecast.
Feb
15
Today I must....move my sweet peas into a cold frame…
If you sowed sweet peas in January, the seedlings should be ready now to be moved into a cold frame. Pinch out the growing tip of autumn-grown plants to encourage bushy growth.
Feb
14
Today I must....start my dahlias into growth…
Start dahlias into growth by putting the tubers into fresh, moist compost – do not simply dampen the compost they were stored in. This will encourage them to make shoots to use for cuttings.
Feb
13
Today I must....feed my fruit trees…
Feed fruit trees, bushes and canes with a nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous fertiliser to encourage growth, strong roots and good fruit. Mulch them afterwards.
Feb
12
Today I must....plant my bare-rooted deciduous hedging plants…
It’s not too late to plant bare-rooted deciduous hedging plants; but if the soil is wet, wait until it has dried out before firming them in completely.
Feb
11
Today I must....prepare for early planting and sowing…
If you have light, well-draining soil, dig and manure your vegetable patch and prepare seedbeds ready for early planting and sowing.
Feb
10
Today I must....move my strawberry plants…
Move strawberry plants that have over-wintered in a cold frame into the greenhouse ready to fruit in May.
Feb
09
Today I must....plant bare-rooted cane fruits…
If you are planning to plant bare-rooted cane fruits this year you need to complete this task soon. They need lots of organic matter dug into the soil. All the canes will need supporting – apart from autumn-fruiting raspberries.
Feb
08
Today I must....sow early maturing peas…
Sow early maturing peas and lettuce in a pot or seedbox filled with seed compost ready for planting outdoors next month. Peas are best sown individually in small pots to avoid disturbing the roots.
Feb
07
Today I must....plant Anemone coronaria…
Plant Anemone coronaria – for example the De Caen group – for a good summer display. Soak the tubers for a couple of days before planting to stimulate growth.
Feb
06
Today I must....check my alpines…
Check alpines kept in cold frames and greenhouses and pot up any seedlings that have appeared, making sure they are given a gritty, well-draining compost.
Feb
05
Today I must....prick out half-hardy annuals…
If you sowed half-hardy annuals in January they should be ready for pricking out now from their pots or trays into compost-filled boxes to give them more room to develop. Make sure they get good light and enough heat.
Feb
04
Today I must....prune winter-flowering shrubs…
If your Hamamelis (witch hazel) has finished flowering for the winter, prune out any unwanted branches or those that are crossing – if they rub together in the wind this could damage them.
Feb
03
Today I must....sow hardy annuals…
Sow hardy annuals in a cold frame or cold greenhouse. They are best grown in the individual cells of a modular tray – this reduces the amount of root disturbance when you plant them out.
Feb
02
Today I must....nurture spent bulbs…
Bulbs that were taken inside and which have now finished flowering can be returned to the greenhouse or cold frame and fed with a potash liquid fertiliser. Do not apply during frosty weather.
Feb
01
Today I must....fertilise my perennial beds…
Finish off forking over well-established perennial beds and remove all perennial weeds. Sprinkle general fertiliser (we favour chicken manure pellets) to give your plants a good start when they start their re-growth.
January
Jan
31
Today I must....sow spring onions…
Sow spring onions in the greenhouse border, having first worked in some compost and a little light fertiliser. Scatter seeds thinly.
Jan
30
Today I must....protect my evergreen shrubs…
If there is a prolonged spell of cold, drying easterly or northerly winds, protect your evergreen shrubs from losing moisture and drying out by erecting a protective screen.
Jan
29
Today I must....clean up my mower!
Examine your mower and make sure it is in good condition or take it to a specialist for a check. If you wait until spring, when everyone is taking their mower, this will take more time.
Jan
28
Today I must....make a note of early-flowering bulbs…
If you have just moved into a new home, make a note of where any early-flowering bulbs appear, marking the spot or area with twigs or a stick. This will make them easier to find should you want to move them later.
Jan
27
Today I must....prepare for an early crop of strawberries…
To get an early crop of strawberries, cover the plants with a cloche or polythene tunnel and leave them there until about mid-March.
Jan
26
Today I must....create a hardwood hedge…
The cheapest way to create a hardwood hedge is to make it from hardwood cuttings placed where you want the hedge to grow. Dig a trench along the line of the hedge and space the cuttings about 30cm (1′) apart. If drainage is poor, add sharp sand to the trench.
Jan
25
Today I must....cut back yew and privet hedges…
If the weather is mild, yew or privet hedges can be cut back hard now if they are overgrown or have developed a thin patch. Cut back to within 15cm (6″) of the main stem.
Jan
24
Today I must....start sowing bedding plants…
Sow bedding plants such as begonias, pelargoniums, lobelias and gazanias that need a long growing season if they are to flower in the summer. Use a heated propogator to keep ground temperatures around 21 degrees C (68 degrees F). You can also sow half-hardy annuals.
Jan
23
Today I must....spray winter wash carefully…
If using a winter wash on deciduous trees to kill off insect pests and their over-wintering eggs, take care to avoid getting the spray on evergreen trees or grass. Do not spray during strong winds or frost.
Jan
22
Today I must....stop my hedges crowding the borders…
If you have a problem with hedge roots crowding into a border take a spade and push it hard into the ground along the length of the hedge, in a line about 45cm (18″) from its centre. This will sever the roots without harming the hedge.
Jan
21
Today I must....get digging…
Digging is great January exercise, but also very beneficial – the frosty weather helps break down heavy clods of soil. Remove any emerging weeds and add well-rotted organic matter in the top spit and as mulch.
Jan
20
Today I must....continue planting bare-root trees and shrubs…
Continue planting bare-root deciduous hedging plants, shrubs and trees and move any established deciduous trees or shrubs if necessary – but only providing the ground is not sodden or frozen and there are no strong winds forecast!
Jan
19
Today I must....collect twigs and small branches…
Collect material for making pea sticks to support herbaceous perennials; hazel and birch are best.
Jan
18
Today I must....start tidying my borders…
Start by cutting back herbaceous perennials, but consider leaving them in certain areas if seed heads and hollow stems are useful for over-wintering wildlife.
Jan
17
Today I must....see what repairs are needed…
When the soil is too cold or water-logged to do anything with, instead spend time carrying out repair jobs. Check for broken or weak fence panels and fix up bird boxes; check over the handles of your tools, sand down and wipe over with boiled linseed oil.
Jan
16
Today I must....set my seed potatoes to ‘chit’…
Seed potatoes for early crops under glass can be prepared now (there’s no rush to prepare for outdoor planting, end-Feb/March is early enough for these). ‘Chit’ (encourage them to sprout) by placing in an eggbox or clean seed-tray lined with newspaper, eyes (tiny buds) uppermost. Leave to stand in a warm, dry place with reasonable light. About 4 weeks later, when buds are 2.5-4cm (1-1.5″) long, the potato tubers are ready for planting.
Jan
15
Today I must....do an early check for weeds…
Some weeds will continue to grow in winter and it is easier to remove weeds with long taproots, such as dandelions and docks, at this time of year.
Jan
14
Today I must....sow vegetables under glass…
Under glass: broad beans, sprouting broccoli, leeks and onions can all be started now. Outdoors: sow cut-and-come-again salad crops, radishes and lettuces (protect the latter). Cut-and-come-again crops will be ready 3-4 weeks after sowing.
Jan
13
Today I must....prepare veg beds for early sowings…
In mild areas fork the beds over, rake well and cover soil with black polythene to warm the soil for early sowings. Leave the polythene in place for between 2-4 weeks, or longer if the weather turns particularly cold.
Jan
12
Today I must....wash and tidy my pots….
When it’s cold and rainy or even snowing, get ahead by brushing off or washing your pots and seed trays, store in plastic bags ready for use in a few weeks time.
Jan
11
Today I must....check my trees for disease or damage…
Check all trees for disease or damage and prune as necessary. Remove any crossing or rubbing branches and check that tree ties are not too tight. Always disinfect pruning tools.
Jan
10
Today I must....heel in any bare-root trees or shrubs…
If your bare-roots trees and shrubs arrive during a period of bad weather, the ground is too frozen or you just can’t get around to planting them in situ immediately, you can heel them in. Pile some soil into a wedge shape, sloping down into a trench large enough to take the roots. Lay plants in the trench with the trunks/stems supported by the wedge. Cover with a good layer of soil, so they are protected from the cold and can’t dry out.
Jan
09
Today I must....deadhead my pansies…
If you can get to your winter-flowering pansies, and they’re not all covered with snow, after the worst of the cold is over it’s a good time to deadhead them. They should recover quickly ready to give another flush of flowers.
Jan
08
Today I must....force a crop of early rhubarb…
Force an early crop of rhubarb by covering dormant buds with straw or dry leaves inside a forcing pot or large bucket that excludes the light.
Jan
07
Today I must....try make my steps and paths safe…
When heavy rain, snow or frost hits, our paths and steps can become quite treacherous. Take early precautions by scrubbing away any algae build-up, then grit when necessary to prevent accidents.
Jan
06
Today I must....protect against frost damage…
Move containers close to walls to offer some protection. If sharp frost or snow is forecast move containers under glass if possible, or wrap with horticultural fleece or bubble wrap before everything freezes solid.
Jan
05
Today I must....look after the birds…
During winter it’s essential to keep food tables full and bird-baths free of ice and topped up with fresh water.
Jan
04
Today I must....continue pruning fruit trees…
They are completely dormant at this time, so continue pruning any mature apple and pear trees (not espaliers, cordons or fans). The aim is to thin the tree to allow in more light and encourage fewer but larger, healthier fruit.
Jan
03
Today I must....tidy my hellebores…
Remove the old leaves from hellebores (Helleborus niger and H. x hybridus) leaving space for the new buds and leaves to appear.
Jan
02
Today I must....check on my greenhouse plants…
On sunny days make sure there’s adequate ventilation. Watering greenhouse or conservatory plants early in the day will give them time to absorb moisture and dry out, which will prevent disease.
Jan
01
Today I must....dispose of my Christmas tree…
If you have a rooted tree give it a new lease of life by planting outdoors. if not, dispose of it in one of the local parks where special pens have been set up, or recycle by shredding to produce small chippings to add to the compost bin.
December
Dec
31
Today I must....enjoy the last of 2009…
Before the New Year begins take time to walk around your garden, take in it’s winter beauty and give some final consideration to what will be needed for 2010…
Dec
30
Today I must....enjoy the snowdrops…
It’s about now that the pointy tips of snowdrops start to appear. If it’s a pleasant day, take a quiet walk around the garden, enjoying the first signs of spring.
Dec
29
Today I must....check on my sweet-pea seedlings…
If it’s cold and wet outside, retire to the greenhouse and check on your seedlings. Pinch out tips to encourage new growth at the base and strong bushy plants.
Dec
28
Today I must....find a spot for yellow witch hazels…
Nothing brightens up the winter garden as much as Hamemelis (witch hazel) which produces yellow, orange or red spidery, spicily-scented flowers in mid- to late winter.
Dec
27
Today I must....consider my winter interest planting…
Now’s a great time to review your winter garden. Does it have good winter structure? The right balance of evergreen and bare-branch shrubs and trees? Enough early spring plants coming through? Make notes and take photos, these will be invaluable when it comes to planning for next winter.
Dec
26
Today I must....check out the garden centre sales…
Today it may be worth checking out what’s on offer at your local garden centre – or, if you can’t bear the thought of hitting the sales, howabout a country walk to refresh the spirit.
Dec
25
Today I must....relax, it’s Christmas day…
Unlikely of course, but if at all possible enjoy some ‘me time’ in the garden – even a brief five-minute walkabout will restore your energy!
Dec
24
Today I must....enjoy the calm before the storm!
It’s Christmas Eve, if you have a moment to spare take a quiet walk through your winter garden – and enjoy the calm before the storm!
Dec
23
Today I must....take a rest…
And prepare for festivities! With family and friends starting to gather around, now is the time to let the garden rest and enjoy some down time!
Dec
22
Today I must....prune my young roses…
Any leggy young shrub roses should be pruned back lightly to prevent wind-rock.
Dec
21
Today I must....join the RHS for 2010…
If you’re not already a member do consider joining the Royal Horticultural Society. Not only do you get free entry to all RHS gardens and discounted tickets to the RHS shows (such as Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace) – you also receive The Garden magazine monthly and have access to RHS expert advice whenever needed.
Dec
20
Today I must....join The National Trust for 2010…
If you’re not already a member, do consider joining The National Trust. Whether you’re interested in gardens, castles, wildlife, or just somewhere peaceful to relax, National Trust membership gives you a wide variety of things to do, as often as you like, for free. In Sussex alone, we have Nymans, Sheffield Park, Standen and Wakehurst Place!
Dec
19
Today I must....continue mulching the borders…
If you haven’t the time or energy to fork over your borders, then sprinkle over a mulch of compost instead. Spread thickly over the crowns of hardy plants, around trees and shrubs, and along the base of hedges.
Dec
18
Today I must....cut down my ornamental grasses…
Miscanthus and hakonechloa can look past their best by December, so now’s a good time to tidy them up. If you leave this task until spring, you’ll find it difficult snipping out the old stems from between the new shoots.
Dec
17
Today I must....wash down the greenhouse…
Give the greenhouse a thorough wash inside and out to remove grime and mould build up. Easist to use is a long-handled brush attached to a hose.
Dec
16
Today I must....choose gardening books as gifts…
If your friends and family are keen gardeners, they will love to receive a gardening book as a Christmas gift. The choice is now endless: consider their interests – allotments or vegetable growing, cutting garden flowers, or specialist plants books.
Dec
15
Today I must....prevent my pond from freezing over…
If there’s any chance of your pond or pool freezing over, float a rubber ball on the water surface so that should ice form you can lift it out leaving a breathing hole for fish.
Dec
14
Today I must....clear debris from around my pond…
Clear dead marginal plants from around ponds, also use a net to collect leaves and floating debris and put onto compost heap.
Dec
13
Today I must....keep my bird baths topped up…
Regularly clear any debris or leaves from your bird baths, and top up every few days with fresh water.
Dec
12
Today I must....bring garden canes into the greenhouse…
Wash soil off your bamboo canes and hazel or willow bean supports. Either wipe over with linseed oil, or steep the ends for an hour or so in preservative. Stack neatly in the greenhouse or shed, out of the wind and rain.
Dec
11
Today I must....tidy away garden furniture…
In heavy winds lightweight garden furniture can get blown about and damage plants, so stack up and hide away behind the shed or greenhouse. Wooden garden furniture would benefit from a coat of linseed or presevative oil; and if it’s particularly wet consider raising table-legs onto bricks or small planks to avoid gradual rotting.
Dec
10
Today I must....put up nesting boxes…
Now’s a great time to put up some nest boxes around the garden. Simple wooden boxes, sited on trees or walls in areas with some shelter or surrounding shrubs, work best.
Dec
09
Today I must....make a Christmas wreath…
Pick a selection of evergreen foliage, berries and crab apples, hydrangea heads and sprigs of rosemary from your garden. Buy synthetic green moss, for your base, plus fir-cones and ribbons to decorate. Make a stiff wire circle, use raffia to tie on bunches of the moss, then using thin florists wire attach or tie-in layers of foliage and decorations.
Dec
08
Today I must....keep checking my forced bulbs…
If your indoor bulbs are still tucked away in a cool shed or garage, don’t forget to keep an eye on them, topping up with a little water, and bringing indoors once an inch or two is peeking above the soil level.
Dec
07
Today I must....cut foliage for indoor decoration…
Viburnum, winter-flowering jasmine, holly and ivy all make wonderful indoor displays. Also branches of late-flowering pyracantha and Hamamelis look stunning on their own in a large vase.
Dec
06
Today I must....buy my Christmas tree…
If you can buy a tree that’s potted complete with roots, it will last longest and you can keep it to use another year. Maybe a conifer that you can plant in the garden afterwards; whilst it’s indoors treat it like a large pot plant, watering regularly and siting away from radiators.
Dec
05
Today I must....take photos of my winter garden…
You may think the garden looks a little unsightly just now, but this is a great time to take photos. Close-ups of decorative seedheads and winter berries and foliage are great for Christmas cards, or look good lined up along your mantlepiece. Long-shots are useful to review in spring when you’re deciding what to plant – think ahead to ensure next autumn you have fewer gaps!
Dec
04
Today I must....cut dried seedheads for decorations…
Dried seedheads make excellent seasonal decorations. Think of teasles, Japanese anemone heads, artichoke and hydrangea heads. If you cut and saved these in dry weather, now’s the time to spray with silver or gold, bunch together and tie with bright red raffia or ribbon.
Dec
03
Today I must....pot up tulips as gifts for Christmas…
Pots of bulbs make fantastic seasonal gifts – old terracotta pots, planted with tulips and muscari, covered with moss or gravel, and tied around with a big festive ribbon!
Dec
02
Today I must....clear away debris from paths and walls…
Now’s a good time to brush the pathways clear of slippery leaves. Also cut back ivy and clear up any rubbish left in corners around the garden to help avoid too many overwintering slugs and snails.
Dec
01
Today I must....clean up my shed…
This is a great time for tackling jobs ‘indoor’ jobs, especially on a cold or rainy day. After a busy autumn the shed is a mess, so clean up garden tools (wash blades and wipe over with linseed oil), wash pots and seedtrays and stack away neatly, and brush up any debris on the floor.
November
Nov
30
Today I must....clear out the water garden…
If you have a pond or water garden it’ll be looking pretty congested and untidy by now. Now’s the time to do your autumn clear-out (if you didn’t last month), and to clean pool filters and check all cables and pumps.
Nov
29
Today I must....order my 2010 catalogues…
Get planning for next year’s planting. Nothing is more fun on a cold winter’s day than thinking about changes you want to make to your garden, pouring over the latest catalogues and getting ahead!
Nov
28
Today I must....visit The Garden House festive fayre…
From 11.30 to 3.30, join The Garden House team for an afternoon of celebration at 5 Warleigh Road, Brighton! Stalls selling inspiring and unusual gifts, home-made preserves and all manner of Christmas delights. Plus food and winter Pimms to warm the heart…
Nov
27
Today I must....lag my outdoor tap…
When hard frosts are forecast, either pop on a specially insulated tap-cosy, or simply wrap well with newspaper and bubble-wrap covered with a plastic bag.
Nov
26
Today I must....check the compost heap for mice…
As mice and rats prepare to hunker down for winter, where nicer to make their bed than in your compost heap! Disturb the heap regularly – also check they don’t tunnel into your shed or greenhouse, and keep any stored fruit or veg well protected.
Nov
25
Today I must....make a cuttings bed…
Use a spare corner of the garden. to create a ‘nursery bed’ where you can overwinter root cuttings and leave undisturbed for the following year
Nov
24
Today I must....check fruit in store…
Any fruit that’s been put into storage needs regular checking. Any showing even the first sign of bruising, damage or going soft should be removed immediately – and baked in a pie!
Nov
23
Today I must....divide fibrous-rooted perennials…
As long as you’re not on heavy clay, now is a good time to cut down your fibrous-rooted perennials, dig them up and divide them (if you do garden on clay, better to leave this task until spring). Aster novi-belgii (Michaelmas daisies), Solidago (goldenrod) and perennial helianthus are all prime candidates for this autumn treatment.
Nov
22
Today I must....prepare my dahlias for winter…
Here in the milder south, and where the soil is well drained, it is safe enough to leave your dahlia tubers in the ground all winter. They still need some protection however, so once the foliage blackens (following the first hard frost) cut down the tops and cover the area over with around 4″ (10cm) of organic mulch, bark chippings or even gravel. In colder areas, cut the stems back to 9″ (15cm) and lift the tubers. Dry them upside down under cover for two weeks then store for winter in dry compost or sawdust in a cool frost-free place.
Nov
21
Today I must....move large deciduous shrubs…
If you’re looking to reorganise your garden and need to move any established shrubs, now is a good time. Ensure they are leaflessand dormant, anytime from around mid-November to mid-March should be fine, dig out the plant keeping as large a rootball as possible and taking care particularly of the smaller fibrous roots (these young roots are better able to take in water and nutrients, helping the plant to recover quickly). If you’re moving it some distance, wrap securely in sacking, then plant as you would a pot-grown shrub.
Nov
20
Today I must....plant bare-root plants…
Whether you’re looking at planting roses, or a new hedge or tree – whilst you can plant bare roots plants any time up to bud burst in early spring, now is the ideal time as the ground is relatively warm and not yet too boggy or frozen. Don’t keep the plants hanging around – once they arrive aim to plant straight away, or at least heel them in (bury the roots in any spare patch of ground to keep them moist).
Nov
19
Today I must....plant my own garlic…
Like overwintering onions, garlic is easy to grow – and in our milder southern climate, it’s fine to plant now. Buy bulbs specially grown for planting, break up the big bulb and plant each clove individually 4-6″ apart, with only the tip showing. They’ll grow slowly over winter, but have a head start over bulbs grown in spring, giving you a great crop in good time for early summer salads!
Nov
18
Today I must....continue mowing…
In today’s milder winters grass continues growing long after you’d expect it to have stopped. You won’t need to mow as often as in summer, but take advantage of any dry spells and keep mowing through the winter months – otherwise it will look a complete mess by spring!
Nov
17
Today I must....protect your outdoor bulbs from squirrels…
To prevent squirrels digging up your container and garden bulbs (they are particularly keen on tulip bulbs!) – cover pots with small gauge wire mesh (cut in squares and fold over the pot edge) or use birch twigs poked into the container to keep squirrels at bay and provide support when the stems emerge.
Nov
16
Today I must....check on the snails…!
Snails start to hibernate around November, so it’s an ideal time to look around – under pots and in crevices – and to deal with them!
Nov
15
Today I must....continue planting outdoor bulbs…
It is fine to carry on planting tulips and hyacinths through November and December. Remember: depth should be three times the height of the bulb, ideally place a little horticultural grit in the planting hole first.
Nov
14
Today I must....collect up dead leaves…
Now’s the time to make your own leafmould and potting compost; collect up dead leaves and set aside in loose weave hessian bags.
Nov
13
Today I must....keep off the lawn…
With increasingly wet weather lawns become boggy, protect with a temporary path and sprinkle with sand if it gets slippery.
October
Oct
30
Today I must....sow peas for spring picking…
This is a good crop for the unheated greenhouse. If you are planting outside choose a sheltered part of the garden or veg bed, and cover with cloches or horticultural fleece to ensure they make it through the winter.
Oct
29
Today I must....plant out my onion sets…
Use hardy, over-wintering cultivars. Plant in well-drained soil, space sets 5″ (25cm) apart in either direction, or 2″ (10cm) apart in rows 7″ (35cm) apart.
Oct
28
Today I must....make my own leafmould…
Falling leaves can be a nuisance, but they are also a ready source of home-grown leafmould. You can make your own container with posts and chicken wire (approx. 1m sq.) or simply store them – wet – in a hessian sack or bin-liner with a few holes punched in it. Then stow away in a quiet corner of the garden – the leafmould should be ready in a year or two.
Oct
27
Today I must....cut down my Jerusalem artichokes…
Cut down Jerusalem artichoke tops, shred them and add to your compost heap or directly as a mulch on a garden bed. Harvest the edible roots during the autumn.
Oct
26
Today I must....plant heathers…
If you like heathers this is a great time to plant them. However, make sure the weather is not too cold or too wet. If the plants are dry, soak them well before planting. Heathers are great for container planting, mix with spring bulbs or evergreens.
Oct
25
Today I must....store my fruit for winter…
If storing fruit such as apples and pears make sure they have the following three key conditions: coolness, darkness and a little ventilation. Store fruit that ripen in mid-season away from late-ripening fruit.
Oct
24
Today I must....sow broad beans…
Sow winter-hardy broad beans directly into the soil, though you may need to protect them with a cloche in colder areas. Space them about 6″ (15cm) apart.
Oct
23
Today I must....tidy up the vegetable beds…
Remaining potatoes should be lifted now for storage, as should carrots and beet sown before midsummer. Cut off asparagus ferns when they turn yellow and before the berries fall – burn them rather than put them on the compost heap.
Oct
22
Today I must....plant my mixed borders…
If planting a mixed border of perennials and/or biennials with tulips, plant the bulbs last to avoid damaging them.
Oct
21
Today I must....take hardwood cuttings…
A wide variety of deciduous shrubs such as buddleja, dogwoods and Philadelphus can be propogated from hardwood cuttings now. It is easy, fun, and above all cheap!
Oct
20
Today I must....net over the pond…
Cover the pond with netting to stop autumn leaves from blowing or falling in. If they rot in water they release gases that are potentially toxic to fish.
Oct
19
Today I must....plant out my spring bulbs…
If you haven’t already done so, plant daffodils plus other spring bulbs such as crocuses, frittileries, muscari and tulips now. Tulips can be planted as late as December – but whenever you do plant them make sure they have good drainage – if necessary put grit below the bulbs.
Oct
18
Today I must....plant out biennials…
Biennials such as foxgloves that you have grown over the summer or bought at a nursery, can be planted out now. If the weather is dry water them well for several days to get them established.
Oct
17
Today I must....not cut the lawn too short…
If you are still mowing the lawn – and in milder areas you can continue to mow right through the winter – don’t cut the grass too short – it could be harmed if there’s a cold spell and this will allow weeds and moss to take hold.
Oct
16
Today I must....remove water hyacinth from the pond…
The water hyacinth is a tender floating plant and should be removed from the pond now and kept in a bucket of water in a frost-free but light environment for the winter.
Oct
15
Today I must....trim the Leyland cypress…
Give Leyland cypress a final trim for the winter but be sure not to cut back into old wood – it will not re-grow!
Oct
14
Today I must....plant clematis…
If putting in clematis remember that it should be planted deeper than most plants to avoid a disease called clematis wilt. The top of the root ball should be 6″ (15cm) below the surface of the soil.
Oct
13
Today I must....plant lily bulbs…
Plant lily bulbs in pots filled with compost to make a great and scented display for next summer. Put grit in the planting hole to ensure good drainage, and leave the pots outside.
Oct
12
Today I must....protect tall stems from wind damage…
If you live in an exposed, windy location cut back the tallest stems of late-flowering shrubs to make sure they are not damaged by autumn and winter gales.
Oct
11
Today I must....prepare the greenhouse for winter…
Once you’ve cleared away any finished plants from the greenhouse beds, take out all your pots, and give the inside of the greenhouse a good washing down with a mild soap solution. A cheap way of helping to keep your greenhouse frost-free during the winter is to line the inside with bubble polythene – a very effective form of double-glazing!
Oct
10
Today I must....plant an evergreen hedge…
If planning an evergreen hedge, now is the last chance to plant it before the winter cold sets in. Make sure the soil is weed-free and fertile before you start planting.
Oct
09
Today I must....try growing shrubs from seed…
An inexpensive and fun way to produce new shrubs and trees is to grow them from seed. These need to be extracted from the fruit, and then cleaned and dried. Many can be simply sown in small pots, covered with grit and then left outside.
Oct
08
Today I must....start clearing my borders…
Start clearing untidy herbaceous borders – apart from any seed heads you are keeping for propogation or for wildlife. Green vegetation can be put on the compost heap providing it is not diseased. Some seed heads such as teasels, achillea and Acanthus spinosus make attractive indoor decorations – so hang on to these!
Oct
07
Today I must....fix grease bands to my fruit trees…
Winter moths can cause damage to pear and apple trees – fix grease bands around the trunks to stop these pests climbing up. If the tree is staked, don’t forget to grease the stake too.
Oct
06
Today I must....protect citrus trees from frost…
Citrus trees do well in pots but they need to be brought in now to protect them from frost. Keep them in frost-free but cool conditions with plenty of light.
Oct
05
Today I must....sow mint and comfrey…
Now is a good time to sow mint and comfrey – the latter makes an excellent organic fertiliser. Parsley sown earlier in the summer will now need a cloche to protect it.
Oct
04
Today I must....dig over empty beds…
Dig over empty beds now while the soil is not too dry and not too wet. The patch can be left bare over winter or planted with green manure.
Oct
03
Today I must....take hardwood cuttings of my roses…
Make more of your old or species roses by taking hardwood cuttings from them now. Put the 12″ (30cm) cuttings in a sheltered spot or in a trench in a garden bed.
Oct
02
Today I must....sow sweet peas…
Sow sweet peas in a cold frame or cold greenhouse. Use deep pots to allow the roots to develop fully.
Oct
01
Today I must....lift and divide my perennials…
This is an ideal time to lift and divide plants in the border – a great way of increasing the number of your favourite plants!