February: frosts and fertilisers

There has been something deeply comforting about treading on firm soil when parts of the world appear to be gripped by fear and religious madness. Getting the spade out and stamping on it to create a slit for a tiny Hawthorn tree seems a wonderfully optimistic act.  

Centuries of co-operation between diverse farming communities in many troubled areas give a different perspective too; somehow the tangible nature of plants and livestock can bring people to their senses. Maybe we then realise we are not independent, but co-dependent.

So onto more local matters...

There has also been something very magical about going out to the allotment in the sharp, crisp frosty mornings and looking at the ice-patterns. These cold spells are very useful for the garden and veg patch too.

Soils can be "broken down" by frost; the moisture in them will expand and push apart the particles. So heavy soils becomes better aerated, better drained, more penetrable by worms and easier to work.

And there is some truth in the saying that the frost "kills the bugs". Whilst there are microbes that break down vegetation in the compost heaps there are also plenty of "bugs" that would eat crops, flowers, stems and roots.

Fruit trees can be vulnerable to aphids and other pests. An application of an oil-based plant winter wash will kill overwintering eggs.

There is still time, if you feel so inspired to get bare-root trees, shrubs and fruit trees planted. The advantage of bare-root stock is that it is cheaper than the pot-grown equivalents and dormant at this time of year. Always handle plants carefully and never let the wind dry the roots.

And yes, as always - add plenty of well-rotted organic matter / compost around the roots but also use this as a mulch. If you are planting on a tricky slope as I have done recently you can always dig in a cut-off piece of drainpipe and fix it straight to the base of the roots from the surface. This is a great way of irrigating the roots in the growing season. Just leave the hose trickling into the pipe - but be careful not to drown the poor tree by over-watering everyday!

In summary:

• Try to get any bare-root trees, shrubs and hedging ordered and planted by the end of the month.
• Add food-enriched compost, manure or general fertiliser to your veg patch - anything that releases the nutrients "slowly" over the coming months.
• Climbers such as Honeysuckle and Clemetis do surprisingly well when planted in February.
• Avoid tramping over the lawns in frost - it damages and marks the grass.
• For the Bee-lovers you should try planting early-flowering Heathers ( Ericas ).
• Bird-feeders are great entertainment and give valuable sources of nutrition.

And don't forget to take your hat, your gloves, your balaclava and your waterproof...and possibly leave behind the mobile for a few hours with the latest news feed too? My senior allotment neighbour had a cure for the recent ills of the world -  

" Put all them compooters in a bucket of water...that's the best place for them".

Ahem! Do you mind..............

January; Tackling the waste, the waist and the wasteland.

You are staring at the garden from the kitchen. In front of you is a dull, disheveled array of leafless trees, messy shrubs and piles of unswept leaves. Beside you are the Christmas left-overs; a brandy-laced pudding, mince pies, chocolates from the office and an array of different creams and sauces.

Let me help you. There is a way to access your higher self here. You can move onto the path of righteousness; her name is purity and she can be attained by one of the following methods;

a) A bonfire
b) Stocking up your fire place
c) A trip to the tip

At the time of year when daylight hours are few and the blood-sugar levels are all over the place there is something primordial about using the wrapping paper to start a fire and watching it grow as you incinerate the leaves, branches, Christmas letters and useless present packaging. Yes - it is better to re-cycle or compost them - but fires ain't half fun.

It's also very useful.

Piles of leaves collect mould and trees and standard fruit trees should be pruned now. ( The term "standard" is a horticultural term meaning a single-stemmed tree or shrub without branches for approx the first 2m of height).

The reason these are best pruned now is that they are dormant. With fruit trees you are aiming to ensure good air circulation, an open habit to allow light in and space for growth by removing crossed branches. A rule of thumb here is to create five main branches.

This is also the time to move any trees or shrubs - for the very same reason. You can get away with some chopping of roots to free them from the soil but be careful. These are the arteries which take up food and water from the soil. To increase your chances of success you need to reduce the top growth of branches in proportion to the amount of roots cut or damaged. The roots will therefore have less top-growth to sustain and will be less stressed in the growing season.

If you can then keep as much soil as possible around the roots. Put a sheet or a sack under the plant after you have dug around the roots. Pull this tight before you lift it and support the base when moving. Easier said than done but a quick look at a U-tube video will help.


In summary;

• January is the best month for pruning fruit trees
• Plant deciduous hedges now. Hornbeam, Beech, Blackthorn and Hawthorn.
• "Native" hedge mixes that one typically sees around farmland and in the countryside are best planted now too. They often come as "whips" ( spindly 45cms one or two year old plants).
• Unlike most of us, the pigeons are starving at this time of year so protect your winter greens
• Keep an eye on the temperature and be prepared to cover any vulnerable-looking trees and shrubs with a fleece or extra compost for herbaceous plants
• Avoid the temptation to run all over a lawn in the frost as it damages the grass
• If you need some winter cheer for the coming winters then consider planting for colour and winter scent. Viburnum fragrans, most Cornus ( Dogwoods ), Chimanthus praecox (Witchazel), Lonicera fragrans and Sarcoccocca will all give you something.
• For a spring lift plant spring-flowering heathers - Ericas. They will also bring the bees.

And once you have done all the above the mince pies will probably have all been eaten anyway. Those are the ones you said to yourself that you weren't going to have anyway.

For more ideas and picis try; www.facebook.com/wrgardendesign