It can be hard to motivate ourselves at this time of year but, if you are a keen gardener, then there are plenty of things that need attending to in the garden. So, when it stops raining, put on a warm coat and some sturdy boots and get some fresh air outside.
If you have trees and shrubs growing around the perimeter of your property, then you will need to remove any dead or diseased branches. Autumn and Winter strong winds may have loosened shrubs and bushes and you will need to make sure these are standing firm. If need be, they may need supporting with canes. You can prune tough, deciduous hedges this month, like privet and hawthorn, though it is best to tackle this job on a mild day. You can also prune fruit trees. Make sure you burn the old branches and cuttings as a precaution against the spread of disease.
It won’t be that long before the garden is looking more colourful with Spring bulbs and Summer blooms, but you will need to prepare beds for sowing seeds. Make sure the area is free of weeds and large stones. Dig over the soil to break up any large clumps of earth.
If you have chrysanthemums growing in cold frames then check for any mould. Ventilate the frame on milder, sunny days. During frosty spells, it is advisable to protect the frames with matting or hessian sacks. Likewise, check stored dahlia tubers for mould. Chrysanthemums and dahlia can be sprayed with captan or thiram if you do discover mould.
