JANUARY

ESSENTIAL JOBS CHECKLIST FOR JANUARY

Clean and sharpen mowers, shears and other tools
Mulch around fruit trees and established plants
Protect phormiums, cordylines and other tender plants by wrapping them with bubble polythene or horticultural fleece
Clean out your greenhouse wash down hard surfaces using Armillatox
Keep an area of your pond ice-free
Don ’ t forget to leave out food and water for our Native Wild Birds

TOPICAL TIPS FOR JANUARY

Flower Garden

Tidy up your borders if you didn't do it in the autumn and put the debris on the compost heap. Mulch between trees and shrubs, to improve soil structure and fertility. You can use Westland ’ s Farmyard Manure if your soil needs feeding up. Phormiums and cordylines need to be protected from sever frost and snow – tie the leaves loosely together and cover with horticultural fleece or bubblepack. If you are planting a new hedge, prepare the site before planting by digging it over and adding homemade compost or Westland Farmyard Manure.
This is a good month to put a fresh layer of bark around plants, this helps to keep plants insulated in severe weather.
Seed is now available, its always a good time to stock on these to avoid disappointment

Going Green

Start saving all used egg shells, these form a very environmentally friendly way of deterring snail and slug damage to plants in the summer months.
Remember even in winter put all kitchen waste such as potato skins onto the compost heap.

Lawn

Take the opportunity to check over your lawn mower and trimmer and clean them. Arrange to have the mower sharpened if necessary.
Ensure the last of any late falling leaves are cleared to avoid a build up of pests and disease.

In the Greenhouse

Hygiene is crucial in the winter greenhouse; otherwise grey mould may infect over-wintering plants. Pick off old flowers and dying leaves and dispose of them. Don't over water plants. Open vents during clear days to allow airflow.

Containers

Even in winter containers of winter bedding such as pansies and ivies may need watering in dry conditions.
If you have tender specimen plants protect them from the cold with fleece or bubble pack.
A lot of people loose expensive plants such as Boxwood and Bay trees this is not due to the weather but lack of water so don ’ t forget to check every two weeks.

Vegetable Garden

Dig over new plots and leave roughly dug to allow frost to break down the large clods.
Empty out your compost bin over the vegetable plot this will allow the elements to break down large pieces naturally.

Fruit Garden