THE weather may still be gloomy but it doesn’t mean your garden can’t look its best.
January is the perfect time to invest time in your outdoor space, according to the experts.
Peter Chaloner, Managing Director of garden machinery brand Cobra, says: “The new year is here and before the gardening season fully begins, it’s time to clean up the garden and take stock to see what needs doing ready for spring.”
But before you get stuck in, he warns that there are three jobs you shouldn’t tackle this month.
CAN YOU DIG IT?
January is the best month to crack on with the garden, however there are also risks – and things not to do.
Peter explained: “Avoid heavy digging or turning over frozen soil, as this can damage soil structure and the roots of any winter-hardy plants.
“It’s also wise not to fertilise lawns yet, as the cold ground can prevent nutrients from being absorbed effectively and could even encourage premature growth that gets damaged by frost.”
BLOW AWAY THE COBWEBS
Work in the garden has probably been minimal over the past few weeks for many – but it’s time to get back outside for some small jobs.
Peter says: “Even those of us with the greenest fingers weren’t likely to be out there pruning and cutting back on Christmas day.
“One of the first gardening jobs of the year could therefore be to have a tidy up and remove any debris, particularly from the grass, to avoid it becoming severely damaged.”
Parts of the country that have experienced snowfall over winter might leave your garden desiring a little extra TLC, the expert says.
He added: “A thick layer of snow on lawns can cause the grass to suffocate, starving it of the light and oxygen it needs to survive. It can also create a damp environment, and the roots and soil were most likely to have frozen, giving nowhere for the excess water to run to, increasing the risk of nasty diseases developing.
“Brushing and raking snow from frozen lawns can easily cause the blades of grass to split, and potentially damage the roots, so it’s important that you have a gentle approach.”
CUT BACK
Pruning influences the production of flourishing, healthy plants and trees and during the winter many are dormant, so now is the perfect time to cut them back.
Peter says: “Winter pruning is best suited to plants such as roses, clematis, apple and pear trees, grapevines, wisteria and deciduous ornamental trees and shrubs.
“Most trees should be regularly pruned though to remove any damaged or diseased wood to ensure it stays healthy and grows vigorously.”
GO WILD
If you’d like to create the perfect garden shelter for wildlife, save your unwanted wood logs or thick branches from pruning and stack them behind shrubs or between borders.
Peter advised: “Bugs, birds and other creatures will still be outside bracing the cold and looking for shelter, so using branch cut-offs and wood will give them a nice, warm home against the harsh elements.”
If you still have branches or logs left over from your wildlife den, shredding them into smaller particles to make mulch will benefit you for future growing seasons.
Peter suggested: “Shredded wood materials make an excellent mulch for plants, and when mixed with nitrogen-rich grass cuttings once grass is growing again, it can also be used as compost to help other areas of your garden flourish.
“Be careful not to include any diseased branches when shredding undamaged debris though, as this could cause the disease to spread.”
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