Garden Thoughts

Now the Christmas festivities are over we can start January afresh and prepare for a new gardening year. It may seem that the garden is asleep but there are lots of jobs you can still do.

Houseplant growing has been a favourite hobby of mine for many years. I particularly like growing exotic and tender plants that can live inside the house in winter and outside in Summer. Houseplant growing has gained popularity again having been a hobby since the Victorian era.

Trees are vital for our countryside and gardens in both rural and city environs.  The chlorophyll in the leaves absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and converts it to oxygen, vital for human and animal life, and glucose the main food source for plants.

We often plant little conifers in our Patio Tubs for interesting autumn and winter displays together with pansies, violas, primroses and dwarf spring flowering bulbs but these evergreens offer so much more to our garden schemes.

After the summer heat September brings the first signs of Autumn with shortening days, lower daytime temperatures and soil that is damp with early morning dew but still warm.  Such conditions are perfect for planting as the remaining ground heat is great for root growth.  Here are some plants we recommend to plant now for your containers and borders.

August is the middle of our Summer and Holiday Time with good weather to enjoy our outdoor spaces so keep them looking vibrant and colourful.

Summer Flowering Shrubs were one of the fashionable trendy themes of this year’s Chelsea Flower Show but we “Gardeners” already knew the value of these stalwarts. They are the plants that are there come rain or shine, never failing to flower their hearts out against all odds.

There is “Summer Colour” to be planted in our gardens beyond bedding plants.

It’s May so time to get those patio pots, troughs and hanging baskets planted and enjoy lots of flowers around the garden all summer.

Trees are probably the most important plant you can add to your garden.

Not only do they contribute to the air that we breath they are profoundly important for wildlife.  They provide shelter and homes for insects, berries and fruits for mammals and birds and shade for some plants, ourselves and our pets.

Often the wet and cold winter weather of January will put our gardening jobs on hold for a while.  By February high pressure should herald less rain and even if cold the bright sunny days will finally encourage us to get some early gardening jobs done.

Whopeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

It’s January and our Gardening Year begins again.

Here in the darkest winter days there’s a fresh enthusiasm and plans to be made for the garden in this whole new Gardening Year.

Venture to the Garden Centre and you will see some of the delights that could be colourful and exciting in your garden even in the middle of winter.