It is coming… slowly! I can just begin to detect the days getting longer (though my heating bill is something I try not to think about)!
Snowdrops are emerging and some of the daffs that capture the sunlight are starting to nod their yellow heads. Inspiration at this time of year often comes from some great garden programmes and delicious looking books on international gardens – all carefully edited to bring out the colours and the vibrancy of the subject matter!
The current trend for incorporating more grasses is exonerated too: tanned, sinewy shapes moving in the wind and seed heads on tall stems are not only pleasing to look at but also provide food for birdlife.
Once outside there is plenty to be getting on with and the scent of winter honeysuckle, Sarcoccocca and some Viburnums combined with the sound of birdsong soon gets me motivated. Tasks to undertake this month include:
• Brush and spread worm casts that appear on the lawn.
• Prune Wisteria: cut back summer-pruned shoots to 2 or 3 buds from their base. This encourages short branches (flowering spurs). Best to avoid pruning older, thicker wood unless you have to.
• Tie in any climbing roses that have become loose and unruly. To do this, shorten flowering side shoots by two thirds and remove about a third old branches at the base.
• Clean out bird boxes and feeders washing with very hot water
• Keep your lawn as free from old leaves and debris as possible: these can inhibit light and cause mould.
• Mole activity is most obvious in January and February due to mating and nest making. Remove the earth mounds and sow grass seed in spring.
• Spike areas of the lawn that are prone to water logging using a fork and edge the lawns whilst the ground is soft.
• Snip off old leaves of Hellebores to help keep the plant free from fungal leaf.
• Check tree ties and stakes. The cold winter winds can knock newly established plants all over the place. Give plants added protection if necessary.
• Plant bare-root trees, shrubs and fruit.
• Make the most of the lack of vegetation on most plants to get into shrubberies to remove brambles and self-seeded saplings.
• Take hardwood cuttings of Cornus, Viburnums and Weigelia. Cut 15-30cms lengths and place into sand filled trenches or deep pot of peat-free cuttings compost.
• Try to avoid walking on frosty grass as it marks the lawn.
I don’t mind that – I need all the enthusiasm I can muster in January. A flask of tea or coffee outside always helps and tastes superb in the cold. And left over Christmas cake. And a lot of other things.
Go on, have a bit more – you can always work it off in the spring.