Happy New Year!
What better way to start the new year than getting back in the garden. There’s always something to do at this time of year, and here are my top gardening tips for this month.
- Plant a tree for 2023! Provided the ground isn't waterlogged or frozen, winter is a good time to plant trees and shrubs. If you're planting hedges or redoing a shrub borders you can grab a bargain in the January sales!
- Mulch your borders and vegetable beds with a thick layer (at least 5cm/2in) of well-rotted farmyard manure, soil improver or compost. This will improve soil structure, helping the soil retain moisture during dry periods and drain better in wet weather.
In the winter months, it is important to offer extra food for birds and a fresh supply of water:
- Frequently top up bird food and choose feed with high fat content, like suet balls, specially formulated, high energy seed mixes are available as well as specific feeds for our winter friends. Make sure there is clean water in bowls or birdbaths for birds to drink and wash their feathers.
- Put up a nest box for added winter shelter, if you didn’t do so already in autumn.
- For those animals that are hibernating or overwintering, it is important not to disturb them.
- Avoid any midwinter tidying of piles of leaves, so as not to disturb insects, or even hedgehogs.
Plan those garden projects: Whether it’s a new raised bed made with sleepers or a new garden shed, this time of year is an ideal time to get them done. We have sleepers from as little as £20 each, topsoil to fill from £60 per bulk bag, and a range of aggregates and sheds.
Your last job for January: Visit us to stock up on all your gardening essentials! You’ll find everything you need in our nursery, and if you can’t – we’ll find it for you 🍃