Garden Tasks For Mid Winter

I have just spend a rainy day planning, researching, sketching, sourcing materials and selecting plants for our next stage of planting at the garden at the Berkshires.

I have a few large areas to plant out that probably won’t happen until next year but Im starting to work out what steps are involved in preparing these areas.  I love that in winter the sense of urgence you feel in the warmer months has disappeared.  I think this then works in my favour as I find I can focus better and achieve more when we aren’t rushing arounds trying to mow and weed in every spare second of the day.

Now is a great time to do exactly that take time to reflect, to think and to consider what you want in the garden, what works in the garden and what doesn’t work.

Some of the task I will be doing in the garden this month are;

Mulching (see article above)

Shaping some of my evergreen shrubs – most of these are in sheltered location so wont be affected by frost

Winter pruning on our deciduous trees will be in full swing this month – see my article about this topic on my blog here 

Planting out lots more leafy greens – the Mesclun seed mix I planted a few weeks ago is really going well. I can’t get enough of these green leaves.  Also in the veggie garden I’m just planting out some seedlings of beetroot, cauliflower, sprouting broccoli and kale. With these grey days none of my seeds in the veggie garden are germinating quick enough for my liking.  

Indoor plants – They are all getting some extra attention this month I will be feeding them with a weak liquid fertiliser, top dressing soil in pots and removing any old leaves

Make sure your frost protection is ready to go on your frost sensitive plants – we have only had one hard frost so far but they always happen when you least expect it..

I will be doing lots more planning for the next stages in the garden.