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..............