Getting ready for spring’s arrival
It’s still dark and cold but hope is in the air, says Ruth
Idon’t know how winter has treated you so far, but here we have been given a mixed bag of weathers. I can’t remember such a wet end to the year as we experienced at the close of 2023, and the sharp, sudden freeze of late November came as a real shock, but when the sun shines, there is a delicious warmth in its rays, making it a pleasure to get outside, to bask and breathe.
There are definite signs that spring is just around the corner as the daylight hours slowly start to stretch out and lengthen. Catkins are dangling from the hazels, the spring bulbs are pushing their snouts above the soil and the first buds on trees and shrubs are starting to swell. We mustn’t get too optimistic though, as the next few weeks can bring some of the year’s harshest weather, but there are grounds for hope - and there is work to be done in the garden to keep us looking ahead.
At the moment I’m trying to stay off the soil as much as possible because it is so wet, and treading on it in this state only compacts it solidly, forcing out the oxygen needed for healthy growth and damaging the lovely crumbly structure we’ve been working hard to create.
However, certain things do need to be done among the borders so help protect your soil by working off a board or a plank to distribute your weight more evenly.
While you’re making the most of the breaks in the weather, don’t forget to check in on any plants and cuttings overwintering in the greenhouse, opening doors and windows on milder days for ventilation, remembering to close them at dusk. Some may start to grow and even bud in warmer spells, and if this happens, pinch out any leggy shoots and buds to keep plants compact and encourage them to put their energies into steady growth rather than early blooming. Only water if plants are looking very sad, adding water to trays and bowls at their base and pouring away any that isn’t absorbed.
Hellebore care
Cut back and mulch now
1 Hellebores are one of the first signs of rejuvenation in the winter garden and when their new leaves start pushing through, it’s time to remove their old tatty leaves to make room and remove the risk of diseases.
2 The buds often emerge before the leaves, so mulch around them to feed the soil and insulate their roots. Don’t worry if they droop after snow or hard frosts, they are sturdy plants and will soon resurrect.
