Monthly Advice For January

 

Path Gritting.

To help stop you slipping on an icy january morning why not try using sawdust or sand on your paths? Not only will it prevent the paths from freezing over, there is also less chance of damage to your lawns and any nearby shrubs, compared to using salt!

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Feeding The Wildlife.

Ensure your bird baths aren't frozen over, and make sure you leave out seed and fat balls for the bird, as they'll have trouble finding food this time of year. You could float a tennis ball in your pond to stop the water from completely freezing over, and providing a welcome drink for the birds and wildlife!

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Protecting From Frost

Heres a few ways of protecting your plants and shrubs from the frost. However in a harsh winter there are no guarentees for protecting your plants:

• Protect the root systems of dormant plants by covering the soil area with mulch or leaves and straw.
• Move planted containers into the garage or greenhouse to help protect them during the winter.
• Cover your shrubs and plants overnight with a proctective layer. You can use plastic bags, bubble wrap or horticultural fleece. You must remember to remove them in the morning so the plants get light and air during the day.
• To get the most protection, any frost prevention must be in place before the frost hits.

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Pruning.

Now's the time to prune back any climbing roses you have. Ensuring that any dead heads are removed as well as any weak stems.

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Compost Heap.

Why not make a new year resolution and a new compost heap and put all your vegatable waste into it this year. We will have a wide selction of compost bins to get you started!

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Early Vegatables.

If you want an early crop of broad beans, now is a good time to sow them. Also stand seed potatoes in trays with eyes uppermost to encourage them to sprout, but they will need a bright, frost proof place to grow.

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Garden Maintenance.

Its a good time to carry out any garden maintenance, repair any broken fences, gates and paths. Clean your garden tools and get the lawn mower serviced if it requires it.