You may be feeling a little bit sluggish after the festivities in December, but if you fancy burning off a few mince pies, check out some jobs to do in the garden this month.
Winter blooms
If you didn’t manage to plant bulbs in the autumn, don’t worry; you can buy ready-grown bulbs from garden centres and even supermarkets. Generally, garden centre plants tend to be better quality, so if you can, go to your local garden centre. Narcissus and hyacinths are great seasonal favourites; keep them in a cool spot in the house and plant them out for next year when the flowers die.
Festive Veg
If you grow your own vegetables, a roast dinner is an opportunity for you to show off your green fingers and showcase the fruits (or vegetables!) of your labour. You don’t have to be a pro; a few choice vegetables, such as sprouts, carrots and parsnips are relatively low maintenance and taste delicious. When you harvest veg, keep it in a cool, dry place and make sure that you keep mice away!
Feathered Friends
Birds can bring a lovely splash of colour and life to even the dreariest wintry garden. Entice birds into your garden (and away from your holly berries!) with some feeders. Invest in a feeder, or make your own using fat, nuts and seed.
Tidy Up
Gardening is a great way to work off that Christmas pudding! Clear your veg plot and borders, composting any old plants and clearing away redundant netting and canes. If you like a dig, turn your soil; if you prefer a more laid-back approach, top the soil with a layer of manure or compost and leave the rest to the worms.
Wrap Up Warm
Don’t get caught out by a bitter frost. If you use a heater in your greenhouse, check that it is working properly; if not, invest in one with a built-in thermostat. They are a little more expensive but cheap heaters can be a false economy as they use a lot of electricity. Check your other winter protection and insulate any external pipes to stop them from freezing.
There are plenty of other jobs that you can do in your garden this month if you have the time (and the inclination) but the above jobs will keep your garden ticking over nicely. If you don’t seem to have enough time to maintain your garden, a local gardener will be able to keep on top of it for you, all year round.
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