Early springgetting started!

Posted:22 January 2011

Although the weather is still likely to be at its worst there will be plenty of signs that things are beginning to wake up. Bulbs are breaking through the soil, buds are beginning to swell on trees and shrubs, and inevitably you’re anxious to get working.

Begin by tidying old leaves left on herbaceous plants by cutting with shears, and rake out rubbish and leaves that have collected under shrubs.

This helps prevent pests and disease harbouring in piles of rotting vegetation. Do bear in mind that weeds will still grow this time of year, especially if this month stays frost free and damp. Remove these ensuring deep roots of perennial weeds are dug out completely.

If soil is prepared for planting cover it with polythene sheeting, this will stop it from getting wet and warm the soil so that when you do plant they will get away quicker.

It’s an ideal time to plant any new bare-rooted specimens, such as deciduous trees and shrubs along with roses. These will benefit from the addition of slow-release fertiliser to the surrounding soil, which in turn should be applied to all your beds.

It is also time to prune late-flowering clematis. These flower on the current years growth, so cutting the stems hard now will prevent plants becoming tangled and untidy. Cut back to the hard woody stems, removing any green growth from last year.

Take pleasure in the emerging snowdrops, aconites and cyclamen they may be small, but they are also wonderfully colourful!  Just whats needed to cheer you up on a cold misty morning.

The best place to be at this time of year is in the greenhouse, but dont start your annuals to early, its a long time for seedlings to be in trays and they could get drawn.

Since we have many frosty days this month, its a great time to find a comfy seat, a steaming cup of coffee and cake and look through the seed, plant and landscaping catalogues to let you imagination run wild and decide how you can improve your garden this coming year