Clear the Lawn

It's important to clear leaves from the lawn - they not only stunt growth but harbour snails. Whilst I was out there, I clipped myself a branch of Pyracantha for my mantlepiece, lit up with beautiful, bright yellow berries of sunshine.

Pruning

Now is a good time of year to prune certain plants. such as blackcurrant and wisteria, and even the pretty pink rambler rose, which is still in flower - perfect for a table decoration.

Mulching

Wet leaves collected from the lawn are great as a 'mulch'. Lay them on the soil around your favourite plants to keep in the nutrients and protect against weeds. This has kept my jasmine flourishing through winter. It's belting out a perfume that is just begging to be brought into the boudoir, so I snipped some for my dressing table.

Repairs

With wood supports and fencing free from foliage, take the opportunity to check for damage and make any repairs. The delicate flowers of my Abelia were hanging untidily over a drooping trellis. Killing three birds with one stone, I cut a bouquet of these lovely pink blooms and hammered the trellis back into place

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Planning

Now you can go back inside for some armchair gardening. During winter, your garden is stripped of foliage, revealing its underlying structure. I stood at my window dreaming up schemes for the spring.

That evening, I curled up with Steve Bradley’s Winter Gardening. A rare thing in a gardening book, this is both inspiring and practical.

 

Ask HackneyHome

Ask HackneyHome any question about winter gardening. Or, ask us for a quote to do any of these jobs for you.