Here we are again coming to the end of another gardening year – one that’s certainly had its moments more so than many recently. But have you noticed that it all sorted itself out and most things ended up doing well, I wonder if that’s a lesson we should apply to life in general? You can probably smell the wood burning in the brain so we’ll get back to gardening!
With more and more chemicals being removed from the shelves and peoples desire to garden more naturally it’s very important that good maintenance and tidiness is carried out at all times. Composting leaves and rubbish to use as a mulch is good for the garden but remember never add diseased foliage from around roses and other plants to the compost heap. Once clearing up is finished borders can be top dressed with compost, well-rotted manure or bark.
While it’s mild and there’s no frost in the ground plant bare root hedging and fruit trees. For some winter colour in the garden use shrubs such as Viburnum fragrans or Bodnantense Dawn, Skimmias, Gaultherias or Leucothoe. There is a wide choice of smaller shrubs available which can be planted into baskets and pots for colour during the winter and then transferred into the garden in the spring when you replant for summer.
Continue planting pansies, wallflowers and winter bedding, the sooner it’s done now the better. If we do get a sharp frost winter pansy flowers will droop down but once they thaw out in the sun they pop back up giving colour even on a cold day. November is the ideal month for planting tulip bulbs.
Check heaters in glasshouses are working to avoid any last-minute panic. If we do get a cold spell, try and open the doors on greenhouses occasionally to allow some fresh air in, this is especially important with paraffin heaters, where fumes build up in a closed area and you can soon lose the plants that you’re trying to keep. Drain down hosepipes and water features that won’t be used again until next spring, to prevent damage by frosts.
As the end of November approaches, many people start to purchase Christmas house plants. One of the best Christmas plants is the Poinsettia. It gives instant colour in a room. They like good light during the day and a warm room, never in a draught. Only water when the soil is dry and never stand in water for longer than 10 minutes.
In a cooler room the brightly coloured cyclamen is ideal. They need good light at all times. Only water just as the foliage begins to wilt and make sure that any excess water is removed from saucers after 15 minutes.Also consider the Christmas Cherry with its shiny red-orange berries, Christmas cacti with its beautiful shrimp like red, pink, white or lavender flowers. Azaleas will flourish in either a warm or cool room and are very easy to keep, requiring plenty of water. The most popular plants this year has been the cacti and succulent which have seen something of a revival in popularity. They’re extremely easy to look after and require watering only occasionally at the moment. They’ll sit on a windowsill above a radiator quite happily and starting at around £1.49 they’re a good plant for children to begin with. Plants are good for the atmosphere too, they take in CO2 and release Oxygen back out, some plants are better than others at this – Calathea, Spathiphyllum, Palms and Chlorophytum.
Along with many garden centres we offer Planted Arrangements in baskets, which along with the colourful houseplants can be gift wrapped, making them an ideal present. For a living gift consider buying a shrub for the garden or a planted-up tub or hanging basket specifically designed for winter colour.
From the end of November, freshly cut Christmas trees will be available in centres. When you get your tree home, put it in a stand or pot that can be kept moist, as warm temperatures and dry air inside the home make the tree absorb water very rapidly. Keep away from hot radiators, open fires and TV sets. This also applies to rooted trees, especially if you’re planning on planting it in the garden after Christmas.
When choosing your Christmas tree, don’t forget to have a look inside the garden centre. Most, like our own centre put on spectacular Christmas displays. There’s always a multitude of baubles, garlands, lights and lit villages and if you don’t want a real tree, there’s an excellent range of artificial ones which can be difficult to tell from the real thing. Have a look in the festive light department if you get a chance – there’s so much choice today from solar powered to battery powered sets and a huge range of electrical sets which will switch on at dusk and switch off a few hours later – you’ll never forget to switch them off again.
If the bad weather arrives, don’t forget bags of rock salt, outdoor tap covers, snow shovels, sledges and window scrappers. Remember the birds during cold weather, keep feeders topped up and offer fat balls and specialist feeds to encourage a wide range of birds into your garden. Put out fresh water regularly especially during freezing weather.