Peter's tips for January 2021

New Year, new jobs

Looking back at 2020, it was a time for reflection on the strangest of years in many ways.  The autumn and the start of winter proved to be very wet and it has been many weeks since I have been able to cut the lawns, clear beds of dead and decaying herbaceous plants, and too wet to get on the allotment too!!!                                         

Bare root and root-balled trees and plants

Over the last few weeks I have managed to plant bare root fruit trees and root-balled trees using Vitax Rootmore Q4.  It is the time for planting hedging plants, bare root roses, root-balled trees and fruit bushes.  

Bare root plants and root-balled larger plants are very good value and when planted in the winter months get a chance to establish.  

Make sure to protect from rabbits and deer by using tree guards or chicken wire.  Staking is also very important, secured to a stake with a strong tree tie.  Mulch around the newly planted with any organic matter to keep weeds down, moisture in the ground for the next year and to feed the roots.

Jobs to do weather permitting:

• Walk around and make a list of things that need attention.
• Gutters and downpipes to clear now the leaves are down.
• Pressure wash paths and decking, use Vitax Path & Patio Cleaner
• Clean pots and containers, seed trays and labels.  Use Vitax Greenhouse Disinfectant.  Whilst in cleaning mode tackle bird feeders and bird baths too.
• Check tree ties securing plants to trellis, walls and stakes. Look for wire cutting into rose or wisteria stems!  Slacken off if too tight and replace broken ones. 
• Check all stored fruit and vegetables, removing anything rotting. Rodents are very partial to stored apples, potatoes, carrots. Rotten apples can be thrown onto the lawn for the birds to eat.
• Check all bulbs purchased in the autumn have been planted, if the ground is too wet, plant in pots.

One of the best things when the weather is not suitable, is armchair gardening!!  Looking at seed catalogues and plant suppliers.  Get your orders in soon as supplies will be short running into 2021.  I’ve heard of shortages from many suppliers – fruit trees, trees, roses etc.  Please order your seed potatoes too.  Demand with the lockdown has been vast and it takes 18 months to produce a rose, minimum three years for a sizeable tree or fruit tree.

Check sheds and greenhouses are rodent protected, bird food in metal dustbins or glass jars, seeds in tins - tubers and fruit to keep protected too.

Mulch and compost 

Spread mulch liberally on the surface of cleared vegetable areas, and let the worms do their work.

Collect up the last of the leaves to make compost or if you can, blow them under trees, shrubs and hedging to compost down naturally for all bio-diversity to enjoy.  Use Vitax Compost Maker to accelerate the composting process of leaves, grass, peelings and shredded garden waste.

House plants

Reduce the watering of house plants and allow to dry out between watering unless it’s an indoor azalea.  

Citrus plants can be fed with Vitax Citrus Winter Food.  

Keep the bird feeders clean and topped up with fat balls, sunflower hearts and bird baths with clean water.

2021 is here, let gardening and nature help us all recover from a very difficult 2020.

Wishing you all the very best New Year 

Peter

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 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.