January in the Garden by
Anne Edge-Rowe & Ivor Spade
From Chester City Council Forum Magazine
January in the Garden by Anne Edge-Rowe and Ivor Spade
Ivor thinks it's a good idea to plant a tree or two to celebrate the new century, and as there is no more room in our garden he's decided to plant them in Pandora's. Well she is tree-less at the moment, due to Ivor and Titus's efforts on her behalf the other week-end in clearing out her leylandii.
Pandora and Ivor had been having one of their discussions (I'm not sure when these take place but they do seem to happen on a regular basis) and Pandora was complaining about the conifers around her garden keeping the light from her greenhouse, and her newly installed conservatory. Ivor immediately offered his services and roped Titus in as well.
It took them all week-end to cut them down and dispose of them. Let this be a lesson to all you out there ( you are out there aren't you?) never plant conifers in your garden, if you do you'll spend the rest of your life regretting it!! Of course Pandora's been extremely grateful ever since and has even invited me round for tea in the conservatory. Anyway he decided to plant Rowan and Silver Birch to compliment the ones we planted at the end of 1998 which had taken so well in our garden.
Any dry days we've had Ivor's been out checking for bulbs coming through and making sure the bird bath is full and the bird tables are stocked for the wildlife this month.
Don't neglect your houseplants just because it's winter, any pale and anaemic looking ones soon look better after a teaspoon of Epsom salts dissolved in rainwater ( and there's no shortage of rainwater so you've no excuse), plants also enjoy left over tea when it's tepid, and wine and beer when they've had a little water added to them.
When you're buying plants watch out for roots popping out of drainage holes, mottled or yellow leaves or brown leaf tips, faded labels are always a sign that the plant is past its sell-by date. Don't buy a houseplant that has been sitting outside on a pavement or inside in the draught of a doorway, it may look healthy but it's life will have been shortened due to the neglect of the seller.
Hope you've remembered to order your seeds for next year don't forget you'll get them cheaper if you order through your local garden club.
Best wishes for a fruitful New Year
Anne & Ivor