We want to help those who took up gardening during the 2020 lockdowns continue with their new hobby this year. With us all currently being at home again for the foreseeable, now is the time to plan what projects you can do in the garden.
It’s a great way to keep your mind occupied and give yourself some exercise too, so wrap up warm and get out there.
There’s lots to be getting on with at this time of year, including, if you have the space, erecting fences, trellis, pergolas, arches and other garden structures.
As long as the weather is mild, now is also a great time to buy and plant hedging, fruit, roses and other shrubs.
Why not create a new rose bed or you could opt for an orchard or plant a new hedge for privacy and to act as a windbreak.
Is your garden looking a bit dull at the moment? Then brighten it up with evergreen shrubs.
Get them off to the best possible start by planting with composted bark or other planting medium and adding a slow-release fertiliser.
Don’t forget the birds this month too. Food and water needs to be put out on a regular basis and in severe weather it’s a good idea to feed birds twice a day.
They require high energy, high fat foods during the cold winter weather to maintain their fat reserves so they can survive frosty nights.
Always adjust the quantity given to match the demand and never allow uneaten foods to accumulate around the feeders.
Indoors – there are lots of lovely houseplants to add to your windowsill collection. Most houseplants prefer to be kept cooler during the winter months. They don’t like fluctuating temperatures or draughts, and they aren’t keen on dry, overheated rooms.
Some houseplants are more sensitive to low temperatures such as Gardenia, Phalaenopsis (moth orchid), Saintpaulia and Stephanotis. These need to be kept at a minimum of 16-19°C.
During these cooler times of the year your houseplants will not require as much water as normal. Take care not to overwater them. Always let the surface of the compost in the pot dry a little before watering again and never stand plants in water for long periods.
Orchids are very popular as Christmas and New Year gifts, but they have a reputation for being difficult to look after, however by following some simple steps, you’ll see they are fairly easy to care for.
Do not overwater. Leave until the roots and compost are almost dry before watering. Keep them in the shade as in the wild they would grow under the jungle canopy.
They will benefit from a correctly balanced and quality feed. They don’t like a build-up of salts so it’s vital to flush an orchid with water before feeding to avoid a build-up.
There are more than 70 species of orchids, but the most popular is the Phalaenopsis. Within the home environment they are less sensitive to heat and light than the other varieties.