The Gardener's Calendar

January

January is not the start of the gardening year, but for convenience and the fact that it I am writing this in late December I will start with January.

People are inclined to think that all gardening stops for the winter. It is true that most of the plants in our garden are dormant or dead at this time of year there are still many jobs that can and should be done now.

Birds

Generally speaking one does not regard birds as pests, but many of our ornamental shrubs and trees will be stripped of their buds by them at this time of year. You can prevent this by putting up black thread around the target plant. It is almost invisible to the human eye, certainly from a distance. Birds fly into it once and are confused and frightened by it because it is not easily seen. This discourages a return visit. There are of course various methods of scaring them away. Scarecrows, video tape and noise machines have proven successful in many cases. However, many methods such as the noise machines are not suitable for use in an urban setting. After all, it is unlikely that your neighbours would take kindly to your noisemaker banging away at day break…or any other time for that matter.

Birds are usually helpful in the garden and should be encouraged to visit. They deal with many of the pests and unwanted insects in the garden without the need for chemicals. They also eat many of the seeds that would otherwise sprout into weeds next spring.

Birds can be persuaded to come to your garden more often if the garden is made more hospitable for them. You can do this by putting out food for them and putting up nest boxes. Birds will eat most of the food that is sold for them in your local shops, e.g. peanuts, suet, seeds etc. Be careful when putting out the birdseed as birds are inclined to scatter it around the feeding area and in spring you will have a weed problem. You will greatly reduce the spread by putting the birdseed in purpose built feeders.

I know many gardeners take down their nest boxes for the winter to prevent or at least slow down their deterioration and to do repairs and maybe even paint them. I always leave mine up because I have discovered that many of the small birds in the garden huddle together in them for warmth on a cold winter's night. It does not take all winter to do these jobs, a week at most, and once done the nest box can be put back up.

Wildlife

Most people and gardeners in particular are fond of animals. Whether we know it or not our gardens are probably visited by wild animals on a regular bases. These would include foxes, rabbits, rodents, feral cats, hedgehogs and badgers. The countryside is full of them. It may surprise you to know that with the possible exception of the badger it is likely that your garden, even thought it is in the city, is visited by all of these.

Most animals are welcome in the garden. The only animal I would discourage is the rat. There are several reasons for this. They spread disease and they are very destructive, not to mention that they are dangerous when cornered and breed like rabbits. A good population of foxes and cats keeps them in check but they are always there. Do not use poison if there are children or pets in the area. The best way to keep them down is to keep the garden tidy and make sure that there are no easy food sources available to them in your garden. They will have to go elsewhere to find them.

Like birds, wild animals are used to living on plants and insects that we regard as pests and a nuisance in the garden. The humble hedgehog can, if resident in your garden, eliminate the need for slug pellets altogether. In fact if at all possible try to avoid using them if you think that there is a possibility of a hedgehog living nearby. The poison in the slug pellets is very harmful and could kill them.

Hedgehogs hibernate during winter, so if you want one to stay in your garden keep a small wild area at the back of your garden where you can hide a pile of leaves and cuttings that the hedgehog can crawl into and sleep. You can also buy purpose-built boxes for hedgehogs to hibernate in.

The drawback with encouraging wildlife is that you have to protect some of your plants from them. Rabbits, hares, voles and mice tend to eat the bark of some shrubs and trees at this time of year. I have found that putting out an alternative food supply well away from these plants during the coldest of the weather reduces their need to do this.

Planting

You can plant your trees and shrubs now if you have not already done so. Make sure that they are well staked against the winter gales. Also make sure that the delicate ones are sheltered from the worst of the weather.

The stakes you installed to support your plants should be checked regularly. Make sure that they are still firmly set and doing the job you intended. You may need to adjust the ties if your tree or shrub has grown significantly since you last checked.

Mulching

You should have mulched your flower beds and borders by now. If you have not you can still do it. But once the annuals, delicates and weeds are removed and the bed is tidied and mulched there is little to do there at this time of year.

Greenhouse

Check your heating system and make sure that the temperature is maintained ant the required level. You will need to ventilate the greenhouse from time to time, even in the coldest weather. The last thing you want is an infestation of grey mould (botrytis). It is most comfortable in cold damp conditions.

Pruning

You can still prune your fruit trees like Apple, Pear, Cherry and Plum. Check you fruit trees and make sure that they are disease free. They may have silver leaf of bacterial canker. If they are infected treat them with whatever the local garden centre recommends and then do not touch them until summer.

Your currants and gooseberries should have been pruned before the end of December. If not you still can. Cut the currant year's lateral shoots back to about 5cm (2inches). Tip your raspberries and check their ties.

You should also spray them with Winter Tar Oil Wash to kill the over-wintering eggs of aphids and other insects.

Vegetables

If not already done dig the vegetable garden. While digging you can and should add well-rotted manure compost and peat. If the soil is very acidic you can also add lime to the mix.

Plan your crop for next season. You will need to rotate your crops to avoid the build-up of pests and diseases on the area.

That lot should keep you from getting bored this month.

Gardening Calendar

January

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