February; waking up from winter

February is always a strange mix. As the waitress in the cafe where I am blogging has just said; "It's weird innit? Everyone has a great time in December yeah? January they are broke and February...like...it's just ...weird innit?". I couldn't have put it better myself.

The holiday break now seems far too many miles away and work is beginning to pile up. My resolutions are being severely tested. There is however plenty of promise and consolation.

You can feel the days getting longer. And there are many glimpses of things to come; more birdsong, snowdrops emerging where you had never seen them before, Hellebores that you had never looked at closely and the saturating smell of sweet box ( Sarcoccocca ). You might even catch some sunlight on the yellow flowers of Witch Hazel.

I think it is the bright shafts of sunlight as a contrast to the winter grey that make it special. They pick out the colours. Mind you - I never get too excited as one moment I will be leaning against a wall warming myself and the next moment putting on extra layers because of the biting wind. You never know when a sharp frost is coming.

It's all definitely on the turn though. And if I can tear myself away from the warm sofa and put some of my healthy resolutions into practice I will get down to some of the jobs to do.

Monthly top-tips for February;

• Lawns can have their first cut if you are sure there are no frosts about. Set the mower at a high cut to start with then gradually lower it through the spring.
• If you do have a frost try to avoid walking on the grass as it damages and marks it.
• Trim the winter-flowering heathers after they have lost their colour.
• Fuchsia, Santolina and Lavatera are all looking a bit scraggy now and ready for a good chop. Cut them back to 30-45 cms.
• After you have cut back the ornamental grasses you can use the cuttings as a thermal layer by heaping them over the plant base.
• If you are lucky enough to have a wood burner or even have a bonfire you will help your roses and your fruit trees by sprinkling the ash around the base. It is the Potassium in it that benefits the fruit and flowers. Coal ash is not good news - too toxic for plants.
• It's still a good time to plant your new rose.
• Birds still benefit from a supply of food but I am reliably informed that providing peanuts when nesting time approaches is not a good idea. ( Health and safety with young fledglings is a hot topic you know).
• If you are going to prune deciduous hedges then do it now BEFORE the nesting season starts.

Well - I could get out now and cut down those Sedums and grasses before tea. Or watch the rugby preview from the sofa with some of that left-over cake, but it looks awfully miserable out there.

Oh dear - what happened to my resolutions? Like - it's just weird innit? 

Witch Hazel

P.s. Blog posts will now be posted on the first w-end of the month not the first day of the month.