Accrington Web - Jobs For January

Remember that the garden is still there in january even if it does look barren,
I have put up a list of things that you could be doing in this cold month indoors & outdoors to prepare you for the season ahead.

Use this month to check your houseplants:
divide and re-pot any pot-bound plants'
Prune heavily to create a compact, attractive plant

Remove aphids from houseplants with a mixture of equal parts rubbing alcohol and water and add a drop of washing up liquid. Apply this to troubled plants with a soft brush.

Open windows when it doesnt get too cold to give your house a change of air. your houseplants will be glad of this.

Provide extra protection to houseplants on window sills if it is very cold. Place cardboard between the plants and the glass. Be sure the plants don't touch the windowpanes - or take them off the window sills at night - like you should do for next week when the snow arrives !

Check any bulbs and tubers you may have stored (dahlia or chrysanthemums) to check if moisture is okay. Repack bulbs that seem too damp, discarding any moldy ones. If bulbs seem too dry, try moving them to another location.

FOR OUTSIDE

You can make a list this month of three important garden subjects: compost, pesticides, and the best seed varieties.

Plan your garden and make a diagram drawn to scale before buying large plants and impulse buys - you may find that you run out of room !!

Remember this rule for planning perennial gardens: The width of the garden should be about twice the height of the tallest plant growing in it.

Review your gardening chemicals and check for deteriorating containers. Consult local authorities for the proper ways of disposing of chemicals you no longer use - NOT DOWN THE DRAIN !!!

- If anyone was/still is unsure as to what garden chemicals are now banned due to new EU laws then contact me I can email you the list or you can tell me what you have & i can say if its usable or not.

Look at your garden just now while its relatively empty and look for places where an evergreen might go.

Remember to supply fresh water & food for the birds.

By now you should have pruned back your 'Spirea's, Astilbe's, Cornus & Buddhlejas (butterfly bush).

The weather next week is bad snow and while heavy snow protects evergreen foliage from windburn, too much weight will break branches so it is better to cut back slightly on them.

Prune fruit trees now. The prunes can be gathered up into bundles to be used in the compost heap.

Repair all fences, trellis, and garden furniture before the hard work of spring starts because you may forget about it come the time.

PLAN AHEAD

Start some annual flowers this month. Good picks include marigolds, sweet peas, impatiens (bizzie lizzies), petunias, and snapdragons.

Choose some perennials to start now from seed. Delphinium, carnation, digitalis, and armeria are good choices.