As the garden sets into its winter slumber many gardeners retire to the fireside preferring the warmth of the home to the cool of the garden. The gardening day is shortening and the weather is less and less conducive to gardening in earnest without an added layer of warmth protection and some thick and preferably waterproof gloves, only an hour or two can be endured at a time.
Photo: chefranden
For those with the benefit of a greenhouse or even a garden potting shed, the extra protection afforded to the plants can also boost the time even a hardy gardener may spend outdoors. And while time spent in the glasshouse may not be regarded by some as outdoors, it still counts if you are gardening.
Even still as the gardening season is at its ebb the majority of tasks revolve around caring for what you are growing, pruning back the surplus of this year’s growth in the garden and generally tidying up.
The other major event at this time of year is planting, but if your garden is full to bursting, you may not have a need to plant much more. Don’t let that stop you planting a fresh container or two of plants to brighten the winter days and underplant with spring flowering bulbs so that the display continues well into spring. If your garden has space then plan and plant as much as you can possibly afford. Think of it as an investment in your sanity, and imagine every plant at its peak for you to enjoy for seasons on end.
And when you are tired and cold retire to the house and surround yourself with plant books, seed catalogues and wonderful brochures full of trees, plants and more. It’s time to dream about your ideal garden, glean inspiration from books and magazines and plan for the years ahead. If budgets are tight look at it as a challenge and spread your spending over several years. Grow plants that are productive or ones that you can split or take cuttings from to swap with friends and neighbours.
If you like keeping records then start a garden journal where you note down your plans and plants for the seasons ahead, changes in the weather and include some pictures of your garden now, it’s simply amazing how much a space can change over time. Make a garden mood board by tearing out pages from magazines of things you like, plants, colours, furniture and even cushions can be included. Don’t plan something too out of reach or you may be disappointed, instead opt for achievable dreams that can be gradually implemented according to your time and budget. Then immerse yourself in your dream garden, imagining you are really there and before long you will be.
About the Author
To know more about greenhouses and how to grow plants in your greenhouse visit http://growhouse-greenhouses.co.uk/greenhouses.php
Tips on Planting and Planning
6:24 AM
ThanateTan
