In the Garden in December
Day by day Christmas is getting closer, and
if you’re looking for gifts to give to family and friends
why not have a look at our Inspiring Christmas Gifts section where
we have some great ideas.
My what a change in the weather snow already and it’s only
now December, so why not take the time on these cold, dark evenings,
to sit somewhere cosy and warm browsing through our catalogue
planning your garden for the year ahead. Even better, why not
go online to see our full range and place your order!! Although
there isn’t too much going on this month there may be a
few jobs that could be done, plus we have a selection of seeds
that can be grown indoors at this time, even on windowsills, or
in a greenhouse that you may like to consider. To request a copy
of our main 2011 catalogue just click here.
General
Should you have a few spare hours available, pruning dormant plants
quite severely will prove beneficial for their growth next season.
So as to keep your favourite garden tools and mowers in good condition,
servicing and storing them properly at this time of year is worthwhile
as it will help to make sure they work well and last for years
to come. Another important job is to sweep patios and driveways
so that any slippery algae and leaves are cleared away. Keep clearing
up any leaves so that slugs and snails can’t shelter beneath
them.
Now is a good time for repairing fences, trellises,
pergolas, etc., replacing any loose posts or any that might be
rotting at the base before they collapse which could cause a lot
of damage. Also treat timber with preservative or wood colouring
when perennial and annual climbers have either died away or lost
their leaves.
The remains of any old crops should be cleared
away, and added to the compost heap, tidying the area and preparing
the ground for next year. A layer of compost can be spread over
the soil once cleared and forked into the surface.
During the winter months plants should be watered
sparingly so as to prevent water-logging and rotting. Plants should
be checked weekly and only if the compost has almost dried out
should watering be carried out. Also avoid getting any water on
the leaves.
Flowers
Sowings can be made of coleus, cyclamen and geranium provided
suitable temperatures can be maintained. Taller growing bush roses
can be pruned down by about half which will prevent the wind from
causing them to become loose through swaying and in turn damaging
the roots. The branches of standard roses should also be shortened.
Bare-rooted rose bushes can be planted this month. Bulbs that
have been potted up and placed in forcing frames should be watered
if compost is dry, and only when their shoots are 5cm (2”)
high can they be brought out into light, cool conditions.
Vegetables
Broad Bean Aquadulce Claudia can be sown outdoors and the variety
The Sutton can be sown under cloches. For large onions, seed can
be sown during December and early January transplanting the young
plants outdoors in spring. Vacant areas in the vegetable plot
can be dug ready for sowing and planting in spring. Chicory roots
can be lifted at this time by cutting back tops and potting up
which will force them to produce blanched, tender chicons with
whitened leafy shoots. Three roots should be contained in a 25cm
(10”) pot placing another pot (upturned) on top so that
light can’t penetrate.
Fruit
Soft fruit such as currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries
and tayberries can be planted at this time as they are dormant.
If soil conditions are unsuitable when you receive your plants,
plant them in a spare piece of ground or pot until there is an
improvement. Currants - extra plants can be raised by hardwood
cuttings being taken from existing healthy bushes. The cuttings
should be 25-30cm (10-12”) in length, then buried to about
half their depth. Blackcurrants - established plants can now be
pruned allowing the young wood, which will bear most of the fruit,
to start putting on growth in spring. Blackcurrants - all the
buds that are intact should remain, but in the case of whitecurrants
and redcurrants only the top four should be left, removing all
the others. Gooseberries - cuttings may also be taken. Rhubarb
- lift clumps, pot up in large boxes for forcing and place either
in the greenhouse or shed. The roots should be covered with moist
compost, then with the support of a frame place black polythene
over the top which will exclude light. Apples - store picked fruit
that isn’t going to be used immediately in clear plastic
bags. The bags should be sealed but two or three small pinpricks
should be made in the sides so as to release any gasses produced
by the fruits. The bags should be kept in a cool place and only
healthy fruits stored. Check the fruit regularly and remove any
rotten ones.
Lawns
Using a rake remove any leaves that have blown onto the lawn,
keeping off the grass if wet or frozen. Or to make it easier,
why not check out the labour saving Electric Blower and Vacuum
to keep your lawn free of any debris! Leaves should also be cleared
away from rock gardens and borders. Remove any worm casts when
nice and crumbly by using a stiff broom or besom from the lawn
on a dry, windy day.
Greenhouses
This is the ideal time to clean the greenhouse, pots and trays
in readiness for plant raising. Also check that greenhouse heaters
and propagators are working correctly. In order to keep greenhouses
warmer and reduce heating costs insulate with bubble film which
is easy to fit. Before starting to line glass below staging level
with white polystyrene, wash the glass inside and out as this
will maximise light levels. Remember to keep the gutters clear
of any leaves or debris.
Pests may overwinter on plants so keep an eye
out for them, as small infestations of red spider mite, greenfly
and whitefly can soon spread. This could provide problems in the
future so it is best to control now by either spraying, removing
them from the leaves or, if really necessary, disposing of any
plants that are infected.
Ponds & Wild Birds
Cover with netting to prevent any falling leaves from going in.
It is also a good idea to remove filters and pumps so that they
don’t suffer any damage from freezing water during the winter
months.
With the colder weather arriving, plus birds who fly south from
countries such as Siberia and northern Scandinavia who visit our
shores due to the relatively mild climate during the winter, why
not provide a supply of food and enjoy the pleasure they give.
Please remember to hang feeders at a height so that they will
be beyond the reach of cats.
Bean (Broad Bean) Aquadulce Claudia Seeds
Crops early with longer pods
Long podded, tasty and early to mature, this broad bean is recommended
for autumn sowings throughout the U.K. for the earliest crops the following
spring. RHS Award of Garden Merit winner. White seeded variety.
Culture: For earliest crops sow late October-November
in sheltered position. It is advisable to pinch out tips of plants
when first pods have set to deter blackfly. Packet sufficient for a
double
row of approximately 3.8m (12½'). 12-16 weeks maturity.
Hints: HEALTH BENEFITS: A source of vitamins A, C and E, plus protein and
fibre.
CULINARY TIPS: Cook pinched-out tips as a tasty alternative to
spinach
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