Archive for the ‘Festive’ Category

Winterise your Garden

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

Image from The Baltimore Sun

Brrrr…… it’s certainly getting chillier and chillier, and whilst we might all be feeling toasty inside wrapped up in our favourite blankets and with a log fire burning, it’s important to take a few moments to think of our garden in the chilly outdoors. Whilst we may not have experienced the snow of last year, there’s still plenty of time for frost to set in and balcony gardeners need to know how to weather the storm.

This is a great time to weed off any dead plants, particularly old tomatoes and climbing plants. To prevent the build up of disease and insect, use this as an opportunity to clean out the dead plants. Start the year afresh!

Be careful of bringing too many plants inside to a dry space – particularly if you have the central heating turned up. Make sure you keep them refreshed with plenty of water and close to a window so they get plenty of natural light.

Image: Red Butte Garden Winter Solstice Celebration, Photographer: Laurie Rubin

If you have a container garden, glass cloches are a great way to protect your plants from the frost and any impending snow. They’re great for small containers in a spot away from wind. Keep containers warm by wrapping them with bubble wrap and brown paper. For those less hardy plants, shrubs and herbs can endure the chilly temperatures under a cold frame. A cold frame is a glass-roofed enclosure built close to the ground used to protect plants, letting the sunlight in the cold frame acts as a mini-greenhouse. Use your cold frame to house your plants and as decorate it with fairy lights for a spot of festive cheer!

Whilst you have a break from watering and taking care of your garden, you can use the time wisely to plan your Spring-time blooms and planting for the New Year!