January Garden Tips

  

While we have had a very mild January history suggests that a cold spell may yet manifest itself in February.  Beware of any false spring weather just yet, keep delicate plants indoors and covered. Ground preparation for spring planting should only be done when weather permits. Mend fences and trellising, sharpen your garden tools and have the lawnmower serviced, even tidy the shed and get rid of out of date chemicals and fertilisers. Organise your compost area and clear out any junk under or behind sheds. Don’t forget to insulate any outside taps to protect from frost

LAWNS

Best advice is to stay off lawns, any traffic will damage the lawn before it can start to grow.

ROSES

Complete any planting only if weather is dry enough or there is no frost. Don’t forget to support new plants from gales.   

HERBACEOUS BORDERS

Clear dead buds if they are still there. In established borders you can top dress with fertiliser and then dig it in.

TREES & SHRUBS

Plant  deciduous trees and shrubs in kind weather. Now is the time to clear moss from trees with tar wash. Prune hard any summer flowering shrubs such as clematis or spiraea. Remove inward growing branches on fruit trees.  Apple and pear trees need to be opened up to so prune growth back to source. Large branches yield more fruit. Beware do not prune such fruits as plums or or cherries , leave this to late April or May.

FRUIT BUSHES

Rejuvenate old soft fruit bushes. Remove the oldest branches close to the base of the tree to allow new growth that will be more plentiful at harvest. 

VEGETABLE PATCH

Consider covering the soil with black polythene to warm the soil ready for early sowing.

PATIOS and PATHS

Beware of slippery paths, clean any algea away with a spray or perhaps it may need a power hoseing. Don’t forget to re-grout between slabs or cobble-lock.

Rest for the coming season as it is not far away

Monkeypuzzle.ie will be delighted to help with any of the above or any other garden or landscaping matters.  Please call Daragh at 012897751