February in The Garden
by Anne Edge-Rowe & Ivor Spade
From Forum
Magazine of Chester City Council
February in the Garden by Ivor Spade and Anne Edge-Rowe
We don't know whether you've noticed but Spring is on its way. The garden is showing signs of wakening up, we even noticed some daffodils out the other day.
But have you heard the first cuckoo? Ivor says he has but I don't believe him it's probably Pandora trying to attract his attention.
The seeds have arrived via the Garden Club so Ivor's been busy cleaning out the pots and seed trays ready for planting. He's been checking the geraniums and potting on his cuttings that are ready. The fuchsias have been pruned by cutting back the side shoots and main branches to 25 cms. He's planning on lifting and dividing the herbaceous plants and pruning the clematis - don't forget to remove any debris from climbing plants as this will collect water and damage the plants.
Now would be a good time to make your own compost bin if you haven't already got one. All that is required are two sides and a back made from wooden slats and the front from the same material but separated from the rest so it can be moved easily to get at the compost. It's a good idea to have two sections so that you can have new compost in one and old compost in the other. Alternatively you can purchase a compost bin which you can site on soil in a part on the garden of your choice, remembering to keep it out of sunshine and string winds. The compost material needs to be moist not wet and when adding dry material, moisten it first.
There is a widespread belief that garlic is difficult to grow, untrue, it is very hardy and easy to cultivate. Now is the time to plant cloves. You can use the ones you have in the kitchen. You can either plant the whole clove or break them into segments. By late Summer they should be ready to pull and leave to dry. I hang mine on the fence. It is true they do keep out witches, especially 'er next door.
Sowing tip - don't buy special seed trays. Cardboard egg boxes make excellent containers for young seedlings, one seed per compartment. The box can go straight into the ground when planting out as the cardboard will disintegrate.
Never let a weed see Sunday is Anne's motto which is why I'm sitting here drinking a pint of guinness while she's out there with her hoe (HoHoHo).
If you haven't yet cleaned up around your garden or your yard yet, you really should.
Time will run away and you will have more jobs than can cope with. So what do you think Anne will be doing next? You are correct, tiding up. Me I'm off next door to help Pandora. No I'm not saying what. I am in enough trouble as it is. But I do have a lovely valentine surprise for Anne. So I should be ok. Next time might even let you know what I am really up to with Pandora.
(Anne -: your going to tell me or its no more sugar on your flakes that's definite).
PETUNIA UPDATE. No not flowers but our cow. As none of you contacted us we now have a freezer full of home produced beef. Problem is Ivor says he will not eat an old friend. So do any of you fancy a leg of beef or a steak or three.. Absolutely free. If so please ring Mike McGivern on 402362. First come first served.
Good gardening Anne & Ivor
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