January Tips |  |
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The days although short and cold, are beginning to lengthen and the promise of spring is beginning to show with the emergence of early flowering plants such as snowdrops. |
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Borders | |  | • | Continue to tidy beds and borders, then mulch with compost, well-rotted manure or bark and apply a slow release fertiliser such as bonemeal. | | • | Continue to prune out dead, damaged, or diseased branches from established trees and shrubs in frost-free weather. | | • | Continue to firm in the roots of trees and shrubs that are lifted by frost. | | • | Remove snow from evergreen trees and shrubs to prevent branches being snapped. |
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Bedding Plants | | | • | Now's a good time to decide on the plants you'd like to plant for summer colour. | | • | Look back over the successes from last year and decide what didn't work so well that could be improved for this year. | | • | To save disappointment order your plug plants as soon as possible. |
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Containers | | | • | Check the fixings on hanging baskets to make sure they are secure. |
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Lawns | | | • | If not already done, clean and overhaul any machinery, oiling parts and storing under cover. | | • | Choose different paths when crossing the lawn, as continually following the same route will cause compaction. | | • | Avoid walking on your lawn when it is frosty as this will cause damage. |
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Fruit | | | • | Continue to plant new fruit trees and bushes providing the ground is not frozen or too wet. | | • | Continue to prune apple and pear trees. | | • | Check and firm in all newly planted fruit trees and bushes. | | • | Check the stakes on fruit trees, and tighten or loosen them as necessary, replacing any that are broken. |
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The Vegetable Garden | | | • | Select the varieties you intend to grow during the year and order seed or baby plants. | | • | Continue to dig over vacant ground and dig in well-rotted manure or compost providing the ground is not too wet or frozen. | | • | Towards the end of the month consider putting up plastic cloches to warm the soil before planting early crops. | | • | If not already ordered, buy and store seed potatoes in a dark place. |
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The Greenhouse | | | • | Do not water plants too much - only when the compost is dry. | | • | Check plants regularly for pests and disease i.e., moulds and fungus. | | • | Ventilate only on warm days. | | • | Start to heat Greenhouses that have peaches and vines in them. | | • | Prune grape vines now before the sap rises. | |
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Ponds | | | • | Keep an area of the pond free of ice to help fish to breathe. |
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General Tasks | | | • | Provide food and water for garden birds. | | • | Clean and oil all garden tools. | | • | Check Dahlia tubers, Gladioli and Begonia corms that are being stored and remove any that are rotting. |
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