January
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Welcome to the new year, even though we are just into the winter it doesnt stop the work that can be done in and around the garden.
PLANTS
• Prune your Wisteria plant now, cutting back summer side-shoots to 2 or 3 buds.
• Prune rose bushes now whilst they are dormant. Cut back to just above a bud and remove any crossing or dead branches.
• You can plant bare root roses now in a sunny position for spectacular summer colour.
• If your garden is looking a bit bare try growing a winter-flowering evergreen Clematis such as 'Winter Beauty'. To find out how to prune Clematis take a look at our Clematis pruning guide.
• For a more unusual bare-root plant to add to your borders now, try growing Alstroemeria (Peruvian Lily).
• Cut back the old foliage from ornamental grasses before growth begins - clip them to within a few centimetres of the ground.
• Cut down the old stems of perennial plants like Sedum - be careful of any new growth.
• Remove old Hellebore leaves to make the new blooms more visible as they emerge this spring.
• Cut back damaged, diseased and the oldest stems of brightly coloured willows, and thin overcrowded stems.
• Remove any faded flowers from your winter pansies to stop them setting seed.
VEGTABLES
• Harvest parsnips and leeks.
• If you'd like to grow early peas, place a cloche over the soil to let it warm up for a few weeks prior to sowing.
• While you're waiting for the weather to warm up, try growing your own mushrooms using one of our mushroom kits indoors.
• Start chitting (sprouting) early potatoes - stand them on end in a module tray or egg box and place in a bright cool frost-free place
• You can start growing potatoes in containers under cover for a very early crop ( Charlotte potatoes are a good variety for this). Potato Patio Planters are ideal for growing early potatoes in small spaces.
• If your greenhouse is unheated, protect your potato grow bags with horticultural fleece on cold nights.
• Remove yellowing leaves from your winter brassicas as they are no use to the plant and may harbour pests and diseases.
FRUIT
• Begin pruning your apple trees and pear trees if you haven't done so already - this is best done whilst they are dormant.
• Leave plums, cherries and apricots unpruned until the summer as pruning these fruit trees now will make them susceptible to silver leaf infections.
• Prune blackcurrant bushes, gooseberries and redcurrants to maintain a productive framework.
• Try forcing rhubarb plants by placing an upturned bucket or bin over the crown. This will force tender pink stems to grow that will be ready in about 8 weeks time.
• Continue to plant raspberry canes on sunny sites with free-draining soil.
• If you're looking for something a bit different to add to your fruit garden, try the nutritious Blueberry PinkBerry.
• Order fruit bushes such as currants now and plant in a well prepared bed in a sheltered position; they will be a lot tastier than supermarket produce!
GREENHOUSE
• Brush heavy snow off of greenhouses and cold frames to prevent the glass being damaged.
• Keep your potato planters inside as frosts will kill the foliage.
• For better seed germination, try using electric propagators to help your early seedlings along. Looking after your lawn
• Avoid walking on your lawn when it is blanketed by heavy frost or snow, as this will damage the grass beneath.
INDOORS
• Order your seeds now. Have a garden plan drawn up to help decide the quantities you need.
• Plan your vegetable plot for this year to ensure good crop rotation and prevent pests and diseases building up in the soil.
• Consider dedicating a bed to perennial vegetables such as asparagus , rhubarb and artichokes . Order spring-planting crowns and tubers now in preparation for the spring.
• If you'd like to have a go at growing your own fruit, order your fruit trees now ready for planting in the spring.
• Now is the ideal time to order Clematis ready for planting in the spring.
• Start to think about your hanging baskets for this year. Order your Fuchsia plants , Geraniums and Lobelia now in preparation for the busy spring period.
ODD JOBS
• Brush heavy snow of off hedges and conifers to prevent the branches from snapping out under its weight.
• Hang fat balls and keep bird feeders topped up to attract birds, who will in turn eat pests in your garden.
• Get rid of slimy patches on the patio, and paving by scrubbing with a broom or blasting with a pressure washer.
• Wash empty pots by scrubbing them with hot water and a mild detergent. Rinse them well afterwards.
• Consider purchasing water butts now ready for the summer. Rainwater is particularly useful for watering acid-loving, ericaceous plants (tap water is often slightly alkaline).
• Continue planting trees and shrubs while they are still dormant.
• If all you can see from your windows are unattractive sheds, composting areas and bins this winter, think about using evergreen climbing plants like Clematis ' Winter Beauty' or Clematis armandii as a screen, or just to add winter interest.
• Keep an eye on fruits and vegetables in storage and remove any that are diseased.
• Check Dahlia tubers in storage and remove any that are showing signs of rotting.
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February
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As we have more snow with biting cold winds , most jobs are put on hold, however here is a list of things that can be done if weather permits.
PLANTS
• Prune your Wisteria now, cutting back summer side-shoots to 2 or 3 buds.
• Towards the end of the month prune summer-flowering Clematis before active growth begins - find out how with our clematis pruning guide.
• Cut back shrubs such as Cornus and Salix cultivars (grown for their colourful winter stems) down to their bases.
• Cut back the old foliage from ornamental grasses before growth begins - clip them to within a few centimetres of the ground.
• Prune overwintered fuchsias back to one or two buds on each shoot.
• Prune Winter Flowering Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) after flowering to encourage new growth for next year's blooms. Cut back the previous years growth to 5cm from the old wood.
• Prune winter flowering shrubs such as Mahonia and Viburnum x bodnantense after their colourful display has finished.
• Trim winter-flowering heathers as the flowers disappear, to prevent the plants becoming leggy.
• Remove any faded flowers from your winter pansies to stop them setting seed. This will encourage a flush of new flowers when the weather warms up.
• Lift and divide snowdrops still 'in the green' if you want to move them or create more plants.
• If you need to move deciduous trees or shrubs, now is the time to do it provided the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.
• Plant Lilies and Allium bulbs.
• Plant bare root roses in a sunny position for spectacular summer colour.
• Plant fragrant winter flowering shrubs to add interest to borders. Try Daphne, Viburnum x bodnantense, Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia) and Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox).
• Hardwood cuttings taken last year may need planting or potting on now.
• Pot on rooted cuttings of tender perennial plants taken last summer.
• Look out for Hellebore leaf spot (rounded brown spots on the leaves) and remove any leaves that are affected.
VEGETABLE
• Force rhubarb plants for an early crop. Plant new rhubarb crowns now. • Mulch perennial vegetables such as Asparagus and Artichokes with well rotted manure or garden compost.
• Start chitting early potatoes - stand them on end in a module tray or egg box and place them in a bright, cool, frost-free place.
• Start sowing vegetable seeds such as leeks , onions and celeriac under cover now.
• Prepare vegetable seed beds by removing all weeds and forking in plenty of compost. Cover prepared soil with sheets of black plastic to keep it drier and warmer in preparation for spring planting.
• If you garden on heavy clay soil but want to make an early start in the garden, build raised beds before the growing season gets under way. The soil will warm up faster and raised beds drain quickly too.
FRUIT
• Cut autumn-fruiting raspberry canes to the ground to stimulate new canes, which will fruit in the autumn. Cut the tips of summer-fruiting raspberry canes that have grown beyond the top of their supports; cut just above a bud.
• Continue to plant raspberry canes for the coming summer.
• Prune apple trees and pear trees whilst they're still dormant. Leave plum trees, cherry trees and apricots until the summer as pruning these fruit trees now will make them susceptible to Silver Leaf disease.
• Prune blackcurrant bushes, gooseberries and redcurrants to maintain a productive framework. Currant bushes can also still be planted between now and the spring.
• Protect the blossoms of apricots, peaches and nectarines. These stone fruit trees can also be planted now.
• Mulch fruit trees with well rotted manure or garden compost taking care not to mound mulch up around the trunk.
GREENHOUSE
• Don't be tempted to sow too many seeds this early in the season - they may become leggy due to low light levels. Later sowings will catch up and grow just as fast.
• For better seed germination, invest in an electric propagator to help your early sowings along.
• Soak sweet pea seeds in tepid water overnight before planting them, to speed up germination. There are several opinions about this method but I have had better results with it.
ODD JOBS
• Trim deciduous hedges before the birds start nesting.
• Vines such as Ivy, Virginia Creeper and Boston Ivy can be cut back now to keep windows, gutters and roof tiles clear.
• If you're adding woody prunings to compost bins, shred or chop them first as they are slow to decompose.
• Wash empty pots by scrubbing them with hot water and a mild detergent. Rinse them well afterwards.
• The weather is still cold this month so hang fat balls and keep bird feeders topped up to attract birds, who will in turn eat pests in your garden.
• Install water butts now ready for the summer. Rainwater is particularly useful for watering acid-loving, ericaceous plants (tap water is often slightly alkaline).
• If you don't already know what type of soil you have, invest in a soil testing kit to help you choose the right plants for your garden.
• If all you can see from your windows are unattractive sheds, composting areas and bins this winter, think about using evergreen climbers such as Clematis armandii or Clematis 'Fragrant Oberon' to screen the area, or just to add winter interest. Bamboo plants also make a fantastic screen |
March
Although the temperature is slowly rising and last years record temps for this time of, you should still be prepared for sharp frosts that may hit your area on those cold clear nights, you can also expect cold winds, benefits from these are it helps the soil dry out. At last the nights are longer clear which is a boost in itself, more time after work to potter in the greenhouse or garden so here is a list of some of the tasks you can get on with
PLANTS
• If the soil is workable, dig in a 5cm (or more) layer of compost or well rotted manure into your beds to prepare for the growing season ahead. You can also work in a general purpose fertiliser such as pelleted chicken manure or fish, blood and bone.
• If you need to move deciduous trees or shrubs, now is the time to do it provided the soil is not frozen or waterlogged.
• Feed trees, shrubs and hedges with a balanced fertiliser by lightly forking it into the soil surface.
• Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as Gladiolus, Lilies and Ranunculus into beds, borders and containers.
• Plant out any forced flower bulbs in the garden, such as hyacinths and daffodils which have finished flowering indoors.
• Plant snowdrops in the green to brighten up your winter garden next year.
• Now is an ideal time to plant herbaceous perennials. Lift and divide established perennial plants now to improve their vigour and create new plants for your garden.
• If any of your garden plants will need supporting this year, put the supports in now so the plants grow up through them. Adding supports afterwards is difficult and often looks unattractive.
• Plant bare root roses.
• Roses should be fed with a special rose feed as they come into growth. Prune roses to encourage strong new growth. Remember to wear gardening gloves to protect from thorns.
• Sow your flower seeds now so they are ready for planting out in June.
• Hardy annuals can be sown directly into the soil. Alternatively sow them in pots or module trays for planting out later in the spring.
• Begonia tubers that have been started into growth will start to produce new leaves. As leaves appear, pot them up individually.
• Hardwood cuttings taken last year may need planting or potting on now.
• Prune early-flowering Clematis once their flowers have finished and summer-flowering Clematis before they start into active growth - find out how using our clematis pruning guide .
• Finish cutting back shrubs grown for their colourful winter stems such as Cornus alba and Salix cultivars. Cut them back to their bases. • Cut out the top rosette of leaves from Mahonia shrubs after they have flowered to encourage branching.
• Finish cutting back any dead foliage left on your perennials and ornamental grasses to make way for new growth.
• Prune overwintered fuchsias back to one or two buds on each shoot.
• Prune Winter Flowering Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) after flowering to encourage new growth for next year's blooms. Cut back the previous years growth to 5cm from the old wood.
• Trim winter-flowering heathers as the flowers disappear, to prevent the plants becoming leggy.
• Cut off the old leaves of Hellebores to remove any foliar diseases and make the spring flowers more visible.
• Continue to deadhead faded flowers from your winter pansies to stop them setting seed. This will encourage flushes of new flowers throughout the spring.
• Deadhead daffodils as the flowers finish and let the foliage die back naturally.
• Dead-head Hydrangeas before new growth appears. Cut to about one third of last season's growth.
• Keep an eye out for slugs as the weather warms; they favour soft new growth. sometimes
VEGETABLE
• If the soil is workable, dig in a 5cm (or more) layer of compost, well rotted manure or green waste into your beds to prepare for the growing season ahead.
• Prepare vegetable seed beds by removing all weeds and forking in plenty of compost. Cover prepared soil with sheets of black plastic to keep it drier and warmer in preparation for planting.
• If you've grown green manures over the winter, now is the time to dig them in whilst their stems are still soft.
• Begin chitting (sprouting) seed potatoes on delivery.
• Towards the end of the month plant your chitted early potatoes outside in the ground. If you don't have enough space for growing potatoes on your pot, why not try potato growing kits for your patio? To find out more growing potatoes in bags or in the ground, take a look at our potato growing guides.
• Plant asparagus beds from crowns. Weed and mulch existing asparagus beds. Asparagus has shallow roots so weed by hand to prevent damage.
• Start to direct sow vegetable seeds such as carrots, radishes and lettuce in greenhouse borders or under cloches. In the fruit garden Plant apple trees , cherry trees and other fruit trees now in a sunny, sheltered spot.
• Continue to plant raspberry canes. • Cut autumn-fruiting raspberry canes to the ground to stimulate new canes, which will fruit in the autumn. Cut the tips of summer-fruiting raspberry canes that have grown beyond the top of their supports; cut just above a bud.
• Remember to feed your blueberry plants with ericaceous plant fertiliser .
• Protect the blossoms of apricots, peaches and nectarines from frost with a screen or some horticultural fleece. These stone fruit trees can also be planted now.
• Mulch fruit trees with well rotted manure or garden compost taking care not to mound mulch up around the trunk.
• Mulch rhubarb with a thick layer of well-rotted manure to keep it healthy and reduce moisture loss through the soil.
• Spray the emerging leaves of peach and nectarine trees with Bordeaux Mixture to prevent peach leaf curl.
• Covering your strawberries with a cloche will encourage earlier fruiting.
GREENHOUSE
• Start sowing winter brassicas in a seed trays in a cold greenhouse.
• Start sowing your bedding plant seeds now ready to plant out after the last frosts.
• For better seed germination in cold weather, try using an electric propagator to help your early sowings along.
• Repot orchids and other houseplants before they start into active growth again.
• Pot on rooted cuttings of tender perennial plants taken last summer.
• Bring strawberries under cover for an earlier crop.
• Bring bags of compost into the greenhouse to warm up for a week or two before you start sowing.
• Ventilate greenhouses and coldframes on warm days.
LAWN
• Recut any lawn edges if necessary. Try installing lawn edging to make future maintenance easier.
• If your lawn needs mowing choose a dry day to complete this. Ensure the blades are set higher than usual.
• New turf can be laid if the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
• If you'd rather grow your lawn from seed, prepare the soil now to allow it time to settle before sowing.
INDOORS
• Order your seeds and plug plants online now ready for beautiful displays in your containers and hanging baskets this year.
• Order your fruit trees now for planting this spring. If space is limited in your garden try growing dwarf fruit trees or edging vegetable plots with stepover apple and pear trees .
• If you're running out of windowsill space this year, try buying vegetable plants for a hassle-free start to your vegetable garden.
• Sort your seeds by sowing date, month by month.
• Use a diary to keep track of which seeds you are sowing and when they were sown - it really helps later in the year.
• Consider using green waste to improve your soil; visit your local council’s website.
ODD JOBS
• Re-surface paths before plants grow and smother them.
• Get rid of slimy patches on the patio and paving by scrubbing with a broom or blasting with a pressure washer. For an easy alternative try Algon path and patio cleaner .
• If you don't already know what type of soil you have, invest in a soil testing kit to help you choose the right plants for your garden.
• Top up raised beds with compost and good quality topsoil.
• Begin weeding as the weather warms - weeds are more easily controlled if removed young.
• Buy fresh compost from your local garden centre and store it in a cool dry place in preparation for the season ahead. Check your compost bins to see if there is any compost ready to use.
• Check containers to ensure the soil hasn't dried out.
• Top-dress containers by removing the top 2.5cm (1") of soil and replacing it with fresh compost.
• Now is a great time to build a compost bin before the growing season gets underway.
• Water butts are a worthwhile investment for the season ahead. Position them under a downpipe to make the most of rainfall.
• It is worth giving your watering cans a scrub to prevent fungal diseases.
• Move plants from the greenhouse to a cold frame before planting out to give them time to adjust to cooler temperatures.
• Plant native hedges to encourage wildlife.
• Now is a good time to install a new pond or water feature.
• Remove any netting left over your pond from the autumn/winter.
April
Even though Easter has past there is still a chance for ground frost so keep an eye out for those fruit tree blossoms, beware the need to get all your young plants out unless protected under cloches or in a frost free greenhouse. Keep on top of watering your newly planted trees especially on dry days.Get your evergreen trees and shrubs in protecting any that are on exposed sites. Pruning for the month start with your early flowering shrubs and those shrubs that are grown for large or colourful foliage.Dead head your daffodils once finished and get to spraying your Roses for blackspot. get to work staking your perrenials and start potting up or transplanting any selfsown seedlings that you find in your beds.Keep on top of those annual weeds and dig out the roots of the perennial ones.Spring feed your established lawns.
Sow any greenhouse crops and continue sowing and planting vegetabes outdoors, prick out and pot up seedlings before they get leggy and overcrowded.
Remember time is marching on to get those Summer flowering bulbs planted, dont want to miss out on their beautiful display.
May
But now that spring has moved into hyper mode you will start to see a new life in the garden, changes being visible daily. Get those spring flowering shrubs that have finished flowering pruned and while you are at it get shrub soft wood cuttings done and in the pot to get those choice plants increased, ath the same time get cuttings of your herbaceous perennials. Those spring flowering perennials can be tidied up and slpit as required, start hardening off summer flowering(dont forget those cold nights!). In the veggie plot ,start thinning out all your earlier sowings, remember to protect plants from the dreaded carrot fly. Finish planting up your evergreen shrubs.get a start on your biannuals for next spring and always spend a bit of time inspecting your plants for signs of pests and diseases as a stitch in time!!
June
The show season is well under way by this time of year and Gardeners World live is one not to miss
July
Dead head all flowering plants to keep the beds looking fresh and hopefully get a second flush of flower for later in summer. Remember to take plenty of semi ripe cuttings from your shrubs, the way the last two winters have been, better to get some stock just in case of more losses! although there has been a fair bit of rain keep watering your veg, hanging baskets and planters, to avoid poor results. Th extra moisture will encourage the grass to grow so where possible get it mowed, before it takes over.Keep an eye on those pests and disease that thrive in these conditions, treat as required. If you are planning a holiday over the next few weeks make sure you have a plan in place to look after your plants, write a schedule good sitters may not have same regime as you and better keeping things right for both parties.
August
Plans in place for your long deserved break good enjoy, for those still at home keep up with the watering, deadheading and weeding a routine that should be second nature. Keep on top of the lawns but caution do not cut too short, avoid the scorched effect plus it will only encourage it to grow faster. Collect all the ripening seed for propogation you can never sow too much and if you manage to give it to friends and neighbours. trim your lavendars once flowers have faded to avoid going woody, perfect time layer your Rhododendrons,pinks and Clematis. Get the summer pruning of your gooseberries andredcurrants and while we are on fruit, harvest the first Apples and Pears. Start christmas Hyacinths and plant up spring bulbs especially your Daffodils. At the end of the month start dividing your perennials.
September
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Start clearing autumn debris to prevent pests and diseases overwintering. Now is the time to start planting new trees, shrubs,climbers and perennials. Assess what needs moved or removed from the garden Ideal time to move those evergreen shrubs. Begin splitting your evergreen perennials and remeber to support those late flowering plants. Make a start to planting your spring flowering bulbs, spring flowering biannuals and get your containers filled with spring bedding. Sow or lay new lawns and scaify and aerate established lawns. Last chance to force Hyacinths for Christmas, plant onions sets and plant new strawberries. And after all that you can start pruning your climbing roses once flowers are over. Clean your greenhouse in time for winter and sow hardey annuals for flowering next year. |
October
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Utilise the fallen leaves and pile them up to make leafmould, or mix in with your compost bin. Dispose of any diseased or material with signs of fungal infection. Take hardwood cutting from shrubs and fruit bushes. Collect berries from trees and shrubs for seed sowing. Divide perrenials, and finish planting new climbers and perrenials. Protect Alpines from winter wet. Plant out your Lily and Tulip bulbs. lift and divide your Rhubarb Last chance to harvest Apples and pears before they are damaged. Lift and store tender perrenials. lift and store your potataoes and carrots. If you still have some time up your sleeve, then make some early sowings of broad beans for next year and get a start to sowing sweet peas undercover |
November
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Nows the time to get the garden tidied for the winter.clear out your birdboxes and get feeders on the go.Plant your bare rooted trees, shrubs and new roses, remeber to protect these from the wind. get your tulip bulbs in and finish off any winter digging. Remeber to stay off your lawn after a frost to avoid damage and get your lawnmower in for a service. Get those Dahlias lifted and stored. Last chance to get spring bedding in and dont forget the Garlic. You can get started to winter pruninig of your decidious trees and get on with the renovation of your hedges. |
December
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Spray your fruit trees and roses with a tar oil winter wash.Keep feeding the birds and remeber not to let bird baths and water features freeze over.Good chance to get the fence and shed repairs done also get the path cleaned.Repair lawns if the weather conditions allow.Sow your Alpine plant seed, get your celery lifted and heeled in for winter supplies and earth up your tall brussel stems for support. Protect plants and pots vulnerable to frost damage and insulate your garden taps and exposed pipes. Sow some pelargonium seed and early crops under cover to get ahead for next spring. | | 
