The Gardener's Almanac

Overview ;

This month in the Ornamental garden is usually all about 'the weather' meaning that tasks completed are generally subject to this.

 

A word of warning! Be patient! and do not be tempted to carry out tasks if less than ideal conditions prevail!

 

Week No. 5 - 29th Jan to 4th Feb

 

• Protect emerging Lily shoots.

 

• Top dress established containerised lilies by carefully removing the top 50mm (2") of compost and replacing it with new potting compost.

 

• Pot uo new Lily bulbs.

 

Week No 6. - 5th to 11th

 

• Dead head winter flowering pansies.

 

• Cut back Clematis if not done previously.

 

• Layer Clematis if soil conditions allow, failing that layer them into pots/trays of compost.

 

• Check beds containing ericaceous plants, remove any weeds, then mulch with peat, lime free compost or bark chips.

 

• Check for any plants that display chlorotic markings (cream marks on foliage) and apply chelated iron at recommended dose if necessary.

 

Week No. 7 - 12th to 18th

 

• Protect plants from rain and snow with temporary overhead cover, e.g. cloches.

 

• Emerging Crocus and Primula attract birds, to prevent them stripping the flowers, criss cross the bed/s with cotton thread or proprietary humming lines.

 

Week No. 8 - 19th to 25th

 

• If conditions allow; prune established Brugmansia / Datura plants back to 150mm (6") from the plant base.

 

• Cut back all growths on Wisteria to within two or three buds of the base of the previous year's growth.

 

• If not done already, and soil conditions allow; bare rooted roses and shrubs.

 

• Trim down old foliage on ornamental grasses.

 

• Check shrubs for 'reversion' and remove shoots on variegated plants that have reverted to green.