Online Gardening Calendar

January

Wintry weather and a shortage of daylight hours at this time of year can often inhibit gardening activities. Use this spare time to look at last years successes and failures, and plan the year ahead.Nurturing plants and flowers from seed is one of the gardener’s greatest joys.
Visit North Wales Garden World to buy your favourite seeds and try something new.

Fruit

Prune apple and pear trees, and provided the ground is not too frozen or wet, plant soft fruit bushes and raspberry canes. Prepare ground for fruit trees and bushes to be planted later.

Trees and Shrubs

Winter is an ideal time to plant trees, hedging or shrubs. Mix some organic matter into the soil when filling the planting hole and throw a handful of bonemeal. Stake any new trees and support with a tree tie.

Vegetables

Place seed potatoes in trays with eyes upwards to encourage sprouting, and store somewhere light, away from frost. Plant rhubarb when soil conditions are suitable. Continue to dig over vacant area of vegetable patch and add some manure.

Flowers

Protect any annuals sown in autumn from frost. Give flowerbeds a light working with a fork to let in some air, taking care not to disturb bulbs. Spread a thin layer of manure over the soil between border plants.

Lawns

Book your mower in for a service to ensure it is in full working order when you come to do the first cut. Stay clear of the grass on frosty days, as walking on it can damage the shoots.

Pots

Place potted bulbs in a cool spot indoors until the shoots measure over 8cm high. When the flower heads appear, move the bulbs to their chosen flowering position, feed and water.

Ponds

Clean the area around the edge of the pond, removing all dead leaves. If you have fish, try to ensure the water does not freeze so that the fish can breath. Keep your pond heater switched on especially in icy periods.