During this season, the biting cold winds and relentless rain may make the garden seem daunting. However, amidst winter’s severity, there are plants to appreciate and numerous tasks to undertake. This is the time when the beauty of tree barks truly shines. Among my personal favorites are Prunus serrula, Betula jaquemontii var utilis, and Acer griseum.
If the weather keeps you indoors, use this time to plan for the upcoming year. For those considering a garden redesign, now is an opportune moment to engage a designer. The process, from initial consultation to completion, can take up to three months, or even longer during the peak season. By starting now, your garden could be ready in time for Easter.
Key Tasks:
- Dispose of the old Christmas tree by shredding it or taking it to a local waste recycling center.
- When weather conditions permit, prepare beds for the new season. Avoid working on wet or frozen ground, as this can cause more harm than good. If the ground is frozen, consider spreading a layer of manure or garden compost over the beds.
- Trim back grasses and other perennials that remained throughout the winter to showcase their seed heads. Remove dead leaves from herbaceous plant crowns to prevent rotting. In milder regions and during dry spells, consider lifting and dividing herbaceous perennials to rejuvenate them. However, in wet soils, it’s advisable to wait until early spring when new shoots emerge.
- Continue winter digging when soil conditions allow. This is an ideal time to amend heavy soils with organic matter and assess soil pH levels. If you’re working with a professional designer, they can assist with this.
- Shield tender plants overwintering outdoors with horticultural fleece or straw.
- January offers an opportunity to relocate deciduous shrubs or trees that are in unsuitable positions or have outgrown their current space. This task requires careful handling to preserve as much of the root system and surrounding soil as possible. Even if you’re not moving trees or shrubs, pruning them into shape and inspecting tree ties and stakes is advisable.
- If soil conditions permit, plant bare root trees and shrubs. Ensure thorough soil preparation and ample compost incorporation for their long-term health.
- Lastly, if snowfall occurs, remember to brush it off trees, shrubs, and hedges to prevent damage from the weight.
