We’ve a bumper list of jobs to do when the weather allows (but remember to keep off the saturated ground):

1. Prune apple and pears – bush and standard trees and vines.

2. Winter wash fruit trees with Vitax Winter Tree Wash. Apply on a dry, still day before the end of February.

3. Reduce wind rock of taller plants such as roses and buddleia by pruning back a third.

4. Check all ties on plants even wire securing wisteria and roses as these are often forgotten and cut into stems.

5. Look at tree ties and stakes – loosen off or tighten up!!!

6. Remove tree stakes if trees have been in the ground for a couple of years or more.

7. Planting time for hedging trees/plants either rootballed or bare root.  Also bare root roses and fruit trees.  Add Vitax Q4 Rootmore to planting holes.

8. Open ground fruit trees, roses and hedging plants are far cheaper than pot grown.  These are only available between end of November and March, so do get a move on to order and plant.  

9. Stake brussel sprouts/flower sprouts and remove yellow leaves.  Protect these with netting to keep pigeons away.  This also goes for any brassica plants (i.e. cabbage family). 

10. Plant garlic cloves.

11. Apply mulch or compost to cleared ground on the surface and leave the worms to do their magic through the winter with the frost.

12. Plan changes in the garden - what you want to plant where!

13. Order seed potatoes for 2019 now – some varieties are in short supply because of the drought.

14. When digging over your allotment or veg area and you have heavy soil add Vitax Clay Breaker, it will help break up the heaviest of clay soils and improve drainage.  Add Vitax Garden Lime to sweeten the soil and neutralise acid soil.

15. Remove saucers under outdoor planters and use pot feet to improve drainage and reduce frost damage to pots. Poke a screwdriver up the drainage hole if blocked!

16. Clean pots, seed trays, labels and seed tray inserts with Vitax Greenhouse Disinfectant.  This can also be used to clean tools, bird feeders and bird baths.  This may lead to sorting the shed out….!?

17. Book the mower in for a service – often a discount applies to machinery booked in during the winter months.

18. Pressure-wash decking, patios and stone paths to remove algae and moss.  Treat it with an algaecide such as Vitax Path & Patio Cleaner to stop it coming back afterwards.

19. Wash down white stemmed birch trunks with a gentle brush, soap and water.  The difference will lighten up your garden.

20. Check any stored fruit, vegetables, onions and remove anything soft or rotten.

21. Greenhouse – check the heater is working!  Bubble wrap and insulate the greenhouse as best as you can.  Water plants sparingly and allow to dry out between watering. Ventilate on warm days.

22. Make the most of frosty, misty mornings and go for a stunning walk.  Many shrubs flowering during the winter are scented – Mahonia, Daphne, Viburnum fragrans, Witch Hazel….

23. Armchair gardening is the order of the day, order seeds, new tools, onions and shallots. Plan, design, and please do remember to feed the birds……

 

 

About Peter Mills:

Peter has over 35 years’ experience in horticulture working in garden centres before becoming a radio gardening presenter with BBC Radio Southern Counties. Working as a freelance consultant, Peter works with the RHS as an external advisor as well as trouble-shooting many gardening-related problems for a range of clients. A regular blogger for silversurfers.com, Peter provides ‘Top Ten Tips’ each month for VGW readers.