January is the month for planning

January 25, 2013

Brrrrrrr It's very cold outside at the moment and very wet.  Lovely weather for sledging down Belton Way but not the best weather for gardening!

Walking on the lawn when it is frosty can damage the grass, snapping it underfoot. Try to avoid treading on lawns and gardens when very wet because it causes the soil to become compacted.  This reduces the drainage, as does working and digging  the soil. Plants thrive and grow better in soil that is not compacted and waterlogged. So use the good excuse not to do any hard work out there and enjoy the plants in your garden that look their best in winter.

It's a perfect time to grab a cuppa, and sit down to browse through your seed and plant catalogues. You can start planning next year's veg garden or spring/summer planting schemes. If you are growing your vegetables and flowers from seed then get ready to start sowing as some varieties can be sown under cover from January/February. Look through your packets of seeds to check they are still in date.

The gardens look stunning in the snow.  A covering of the white stuff certainly makes them look magical. Instead of my usual frantic rush around Leigh doing shopping etc I  slowed down and looked at the area through my gardener's eyes. 

The Garrya elliptica (the silk tassel bush ) outside Leigh Library is at its best. The long silvery catkins are beautiful.  This  evergreen shrub grows well against a wall, as well as a free standing shrub, and is obviously happy in its position on the Library wall. They grow best on a north or east facing wall and prefer a well drained soil. 

I took a picture of some brave little snowdrops (Galanthus) peeping out of their icy blanket. It's wonderful to see these pretty little flowers, they look so delicate, yet are the first  to pop their heads out of the ground, giving us something wonderful to look at in the cold months.  If you haven't planted any snowdrop bulbs don't worry, there is no need to miss out.  Snowdrops are best planted  in the green', which means when they are fully grown rather than from bulbs.  If possible you should plant them as the flowers have faded but the leaves are still 'green'.  If you are dividing an established drift of snowdrops they can be freshly lifted from the ground when the leaves begin to die back.  They can also be bought from nurseries or by mail order ready to plant. 

Plant them in groups to make a good display.  There are many different snowdrops to choose from.  They look stunning planted amongst other winter interest plants such as Cornus (dog wood), Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens' (black grass), and they bring a splash of light to dreary areas of the garden.

Plant your snowdrops in leafy shade/partial shade. They do not like to dry out so a moist soil is needed. Adding organic matter such as leaf mould or compost to the soil will help.

Keep moist until they are established.

Ensure they are planted to the same depth as they were in the ground,  or if your snowdrops are in a pot then to the same level as the compost in the pot.

Your snowdrops should now thrive and multiply giving you drifts of pretty flowers each year.

After flowering simply let the foliage die back.

Mulch with compost each year before the flowers emerge.

Snowdrops do not like to be too congested so divide them approx every three to four years. 

Some other jobs to do in late January/ early February

Cut back perennial grasses removing brown leaves and stalks before the new shoots emerge.

Deadhead winter pansies and violas to keep them flowering.

Renew the top layer of compost in large pots that hold permanent plants

General clean up and tidy of tools and equiptment ready for the new gardening year ahead.

Keep an eye out for weeds. It's always good to keep ahead of the weeding before they take hold.

The daffodils (Narscissus) are popping up along with the other spring bulbs, it wont be long before the colder weather has gone and we get to see them in all their glory, enjoy.