Trees, Shrubs and Roses
- To establish small wooded areas and shelter belts, plant small whips from now on. These are mostly sold as bare-root stock and as much cheaper to establish that larger stock.
- Make sure all existing vegetation is killed with Roundup or similar before planting hedging or trees or shrubs.
- Evergreens can still be planted but it would be best to wait until spring in an exposed site where winter winds might desiccate the foliage.
- Rose bushes can be planted now.
- Check the tree ties on trees planted and staked in recent years to ensure the stakes are solid and the ties are firm but not rubbing the tree bark.
Flowers
- If there are any spring bulbs still in shop-bags and not planted, they should be planted without delay.
- Dahlias and cannas may need to be covered or lifted and taken under protection if the area is very frost-prone.
- Containers and flower beds can still be planted up with spring bedding, such as wall flowers and tulips.
- Most perennial flowers can be lifted and divided or new specimens planted, but do not do this if the soil is wet and sticky. Do not move grasses at this time.
Lawn
- Growth of grass now slows considerably. Carry out mowing if possible, though many lawns will now be a little soft underfoot for mowing.
- Repairs to a damaged lawn can be carried out and humps and hollows fixed.
- Although seed will be slow to germinate now, it can still be sown.
- If lawn moss is evident, apply sulphate of iron with a small distributor – it is a fine salt and very difficult to apply accurately by hand.
Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs
- Plant fruit trees and bushes of all kinds in the coming weeks. Apples, pears and plums in that order are easy to grow in a good well-drained soil with a sunny aspect.
- Soft fruits, including strawberries, raspberries and currants are even easier to grow and need less space.
- Established fruit trees can be pruned with the exception of plum trees, to avoid silver leaf disease.
- The vegetable area can be tidied up, and perhaps dug over, but weeds should certainly be controlled to lessen the effort later.
Greenhouse and House Plants
- All debris and dead plants should be removed and pots and trays can be washed.
- Water plant pots lightly, if at all.
- The glass should be cleaned to improve light levels.
- Check for pests such as greenflies that can cause a lot of damage now.
- Tidy away old tomato, cucumber and chilli plants. Dry the chillies on a dinner plate.
