WELL we certainly know that winter is on its way now.
Some cold nights, a couple of frosts and the spells of heavy rain have brought us into winter at a quick pace.
However, don’t hide indoors. There are plenty of things to be done in the garden. Doing them now will pay dividends next year.
JOBS TO DO NOW
If you haven’t done so already, summer flowering heathers should be trimmed.
This can be done with a pair of hand shears, just to tidy them up for winter.
You should remove all of this year’s dead flowers and at least half of this year’s growth.
It also helps to mulch the plants around this time with peat, as they are ericaceous (lime-hating).
In the vegetable garden a lot of vegetables have now finished and have already been harvested.
You may have picked the last few of the beans or peas.
You are not likely to get any more in North Staffordshire. Therefore, cut these down. Remember, though, with peas and beans, to leave the roots in the ground and dig around them.
This is because there are nodules on the roots that help to mix nitrogen into the soil.
This is a macro-nutrient and very important for the health of next year’s vegetables that are to be grown in the same place.
FRUIT TREES FOR SMALLER GARDENS
This week we have been planting quite a few fruit trees.
There are many different ones to choose from.
However, some of the root stocks are now so good that they control the overall size of the tree, as well as give it extra disease resistance.
So, whereas bapple trees used to grow up to 40 feet tall, you can now get specimens that only ever grow to 10 feet (three metres), which is fantastic for most small gardens.
You can also get what are called family apple trees. This means that they have three different varieties of apple on one tree.
They look fantastic and really grab the attention of children. It is another great way to encourage them to eat fruit.
The trees are also real talking points when friends and family visit.
In conclusion, there are many things for you to be doing in your gardens at this time of year.
The cold mornings are also perfect for long morning walks and can be really quite pleasant.
Why not take in some well-known local gardens and see how they are preparing for winter?
It’s a great way to get new ideas.
If one of the gardeners is about, they might have time for a natter.
GARDENING QUERIES
If you have any specific questions about gardening at this time of year, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you. Sent questions to: letters@thesentinel.co.uk or Gardening column, The Sentinel, Sentinel House, Forge Lane. Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent. ST1 5SS.
Contact Jason on 0800 093 7926 or online at www.jhps-gardens.co.uk
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