All that is gold does not glitter

“All that is gold does not glitter. Not all those who wander are lost: the old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.” J.R.R Tolkien

The natural world has slowed down and much of the garden and its many life forms are now resting for the winter.  In terms of gardening, winter is a great time to do the more practical jobs like fixing things, cleaning tools, containers and pots, sharpening tools and turning compost heaps.  I spent a good hour or two digging over the veg patch the other morning – the sun was shining, the air was fairly mild and I needed to enjoy some physical exercise after all the indoor ‘festivities’.  

​According to various books and blogs turning and treating the soil now is beneficial for the upcoming growing season.  Apparently once soil temperatures drop below 7°C (45°F), biological activity slows to a crawl, and the soil and all its life forms (worms, bugs, bacteria) hibernate. 

Soil is a bit easier to work with when it’s damp and the weeds that will be invariably prolific will also be shallow rooted and therefore easier to remove.  The wind, rain and frost will damage the top layer of soil and it will lose nutrients and structure and start to erode. Therefore, January is also a good time (if you’re so inclined and industrious) to add garden compost, rotted manure, and other green waste  and maybe add seaweed solution and fish emulsion (which is a mild fertilizer) to strengthen plant roots. Seaweed is a soil conditioner and root tonic which helps to improve the balance of soil bacteria, support root growth and strengthen plant stems. Also, cover areas of the veg patch and/or flower beds with old rugs or carpet as this will help maintain a steady level of moisture in the beds, reduce the chances of the soil becoming compacted during the winter months  and ultimately keep the soil warmer for when seeds and plants can be sown outside. Admittedly, it doesn’t look particularly attractive but as you’re unlikely to be lounging in the garden much, and it’s dark late and early in the day, what you can’t see can’t offend you!
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Check out:  Soil Association: Winter

Other jobs that can be attacked if you’re really bored…

POTS:
Protect terracotta pots from cracking in freezing weather by bringing them indoors or wrapping in bubble polythene.  Move plants in pots to a sheltered spot if conditions turn very cold, as their roots are more exposed to the elements. Plant fragrant winter shrubs in pots and place near to the house or paths, such as chimonanthus, sarcococca and Daphne odora.

LEAVES – conflicting advice!

• Rake up accumulated fallen leaves in borders that could be harbouring slugs and other pests….

OR

• Don’t be too tidy – relax and leave parts of your garden to its own devices, giving places for animals and insects to shelter, a safe place to find food and water, or even to hibernate. For example, leave teasels for goldfinches and look out for butterflies resting in sheds.
  

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ROSES
Plant bare-root roses and other deciduous shrubs, plus ornamental trees; hang bird feeders near roses to attract hungry birds that will also pick off any overwintering pests.  Prune climbing roses between now and February.

FRUIT and NUT HEDGES
If you have space, plant fruit and nut hedges like hawthorn, blackthorn and hazel as these provide fruit and nuts through the winter and can support wildlife.

SHRUBS
Pile straw or bracken around the base of tender shrubs and climbers to protect them from falling temperatures.  Hard prune overgrown shrubs and hedges while they're dormant.

BULBS
Check stored bulbs and corms regularly for any signs of rot. Summer-flowering bulbs and tubers that are being stored over winter should be checked for any signs of mould or rot, and those that might be affected should be removed to prevent it spreading.  Any forced bulbs can be brought into a warm room to encourage flowering. January is the last chance to plant tulip bulbs provided that the ground is not frozen.

SOWING & GROWING
Apparently, Boxing Day is the traditional day to sow onion seeds. In December and January it is recommended to choose seeds, rather than sets, and start them off in pots indoors or undercover, to aid germination. The young onion plants can be moved to the beg patch outside in spring, spacing them 10cm apart.
However, in order to show-off, I already have a few rows of very healthy onions, garlic and broad-beans as I planted my sets in October and November… so nyerrrr!

Moreover, now is a good time to look back at the previous year, its successes and failures and to consider what plants to attempt to grow in the upcoming months; it's a good time to plan, to dream, and to sort seeds!