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WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN IN
Gardening need not stop for the winter. There are plenty of enjoyable tasks to carry out in readiness for the coming spring. Even in the depths of winter, buds on the trees show promise of the leaves to come in spring. Take a walk around the garden from time to time, there will be plenty of colour if you look for it. Bark on the bare trees ignored all summer long, is a mass of pattern and hue. Spring flowering bulbs and corms will be showing their shoots and with luck, snowdrops will appear.
Get Digging At this time, pay attention to the glasshouse. It is important to clean the glass inside and out so that the plants get as much light as possible, benefitting from any small period of sunlight. Put as many plants near to the outside but avoid letting their leaves touch the glass. More Information GO TO NEXT
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WEEK'S "WHAT TO DO"
DECEMBER 1st to 7th
The ground, hard from the frost presents an ideal opportunity for winter digging. Wheelbarrow loads of compost and manure can be easily wheeled over the firm ground, without fear of sinking and placed near where it will be dug in. If the ground is not too heavily frozen, the soil can be dug over. The soil spits hold together when lifted with the spade, leaving a rough, lumpy surface with plenty of small gaps. The cold air penetrates, destroying soil pests and their eggs. Wind and rain completes the job. The worms will have already moved deeper. Look for robins, accompanying the digger to make a feast of the grubs exposed on the surface.
The last loads of leaves can be raked up, ready for composting.
For more detailed information and timings go to our individual
vegetable,
herb and
fruit pages. If you want to see a
condensed vegetable advice page with planting, sowing, care and
harvesting information for the entire year on one page then go to our
vegetable calendar.