In the garden: Plan ahead... and look out for snowdrops

The beginning of a new year is upon us, and January is always a mixed up month in the garden and in life as we put the festivities behind us and start to focus on the plan for the year ahead.

The unseasonably mild weather at the end of 2024 is resulting in spring flowering bulbs pushing on up through the soil and making an appearance earlier than expected this year.

There is always such a different feeling in the new year than at the end of December, as a new growing season awaits, and this year it does feel imminent indeed.

The winter has been mild and damp so far and as I write this there are reports a colder spell is on the way, which will be welcome to keep pests and disease under control for the year ahead. It will also check growth, and the sooner it arrives, the less damage it will do as growth will not be too advanced.

The mild and damp weather has resulted in plenty of leaves composting naturally in corners where they have gathered, and they will benefit from collection and adding to the compost, or bagging up and leaving to rot for a few years before use.

There is generally a window for tidying up after all deciduous leaves have fallen, and while leaves can be left in situ on areas of planting to compost, they are best removed from paths and hard surfacing as they will create hazardous slippery conditions underfoot, and indeed under vehicle also, so collection is a good idea in locations where they may create such hazards.

Time now too for seaweed collection and addition to the polytunnel or glasshouse, to mulch the soil, replenishing nutrients for next year’s crops to avail of.

This time of the year is all about laying the groundwork and thoughts can begin to wander towards sowing seeds, although it is much too early to consider most crops and flowers just yet.

Onions do have a long growing season, as does celeriac, so with a heated bench it is a good time to start getting things set up: Sorting seed trays, getting compost in order, and pulling out heated foil sheets or cables as necessary.

It is also great to get some sweet peas in, to have some strong plants which can be planted out in April or May to begin flowering early to fill the air with that nostalgic summer scent.

Sweet peas are hardy annuals and will tolerate frost so may be planted out earlier than most transplants.

The essential element will be to provide some sort of support for them to climb up from early on. Trellis, pergola or hazel or bamboo supports can all be used to good effect.

Back to what is performing well in the garden right now, and on the vegetable front, kale, cabbage and brussels sprouts continue to be harvested. They all have a pretty long lead in time before harvesting, with the exception of kale, but they are so worth it - what a bonus to pick from the vegetable patch in December.

If kale plants are looking like flowering, then pinch out the flowering part at the top of the stem in an effort to encourage leafy side growth on the stem.

Purple sprouting broccoli has not yet begun to produce and that will be anticipated in February or March.

The polytunnel is due its annual wash soon, to wash off the grime and green of winter, preparing for the new year of growing. Now is a good time to get this job done while the tunnel is pretty empty and before any new planting is done.

Cleaning the plastic now will also ensure good light levels for new young plants later in spring.

Vinegar is a good disinfectant, killing bacteria, fungi and harmful pathogens, and maintaining the protected growing environment as a healthy one. White vinegar mixed one part vinegar to nine parts water works well.

An old sheet or bath towel can be used to shimmy along the top of the tunnel, with one person working either side.

Snowdrop watch time of the year is upon us again as we eagerly anticipate these spring-heralding gems to appear at ground level. They are popping up earlier this year as a result of warmer soil temperatures so keep a close eye on the garden for sitings!

It is a quiet time in the garden with soil soggy underfoot, making any digging work counter-productive. It is a time to sit back and observe as we patiently wait for life to unfold later this month and into February, depending on what the weather brings.

Stalwarts like Daphnes, mahonia, sarcococca and viburnums keep the air filled with sweet scents and help to draw us out into the garden as we search for emerging life.

Small birds will regularly visit the garden if feeders are put in place and filled, and they can bring great life and activity to the garden during January.

Happy New Year to you all!

Plant of the Week

This week, Daphne bholua ‘Spring Beauty’ is starting to flower beautifully but its leaves are yellowing a lot at the edges. It may need a feed of chelated iron to correct this in springtime as the soil is quite fertile and well drained, which rules out nitrogen deficiency and waterlogging as likely causes of the leaf discolouration.

Camellias can suffer from this nutrient deficiency also, which results in an unhealthy yellowing of the leaves.

Early spring is the best time for application of the chelated iron and this will see a healthy green colour restored to the leaves.