Christmas Greetings

Christmas Garden Tips

December is the month of holidays, family and Christmas jollity. Yes there are still a few tasks that can be done in the garden - weather permitting.  Tidy pots, prune trees and take precautions for the frosts ahead. Time to service lawnmowers, sharpen tools and repair anything in your potting shed.

LAWNS

Dig over areas for spring seeding. Treat lawns against leatherjacket. Clean and service lawnmowers. Because it is still mild moss is thriving so spike we and aerate well to drain that moisture.

ROSES

Complete any new planting but only if the soil is not too wet. Trim back established rose beds for winter and prune long growths to about a meter and a half. Ensure earlier planting is firm in the ground.

HERBACEOUS BORDERS

Finalise any tidying of beds, cut back unwanted roots. Prune any overhanging branches from trees or shrubs. Order any plants for March planting.

TREES & SHRUBS

Keep any grass away from the trunks of shrubs and trees. And remove any self sown trees or shrubs such as sycamore or ash. Prune shrubs that have finished flowering.  Plant deciduous trees and shrubs towards if the weather is mild. Tie young conifers together with sacking as a protection from frost.

PATIOS & DECKING

That patio needs a good clean or power-hosing  to remove moss, funghi and algae. Remove plants that are past their best and move others to a shady place. Clean out pots not required for winter and store. Cover any pots and shrubs for protection against oncoming frost.

HOUSE PLANTS

Keep plants on the dry side and let them have plenty of light.

FRUIT TREES

Spray all fruit trees with tar oil or winter wash once they have shed leaves and fruit. Another solution is a grease trap, a sticky band that you just wrap and tie around the base of the tree. Continue pruning. Cut back newly planted apples pears and all forms of berries such as raspberries.

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