2012 Dec - Cotton Parish

Parish and Community News December 2012
IN THE GARDEN
Just Gardening
Now we are at the time of year with not a great deal of colour available in our
borders.
There are a couple of things you can do which will improve the situation.
First of all use your summer hanging baskets. Replace the contents with a multipurpose
compost and mix in a slow release fertiliser. Place the basket in an old
chimney pot or other container keeping the basket stable. Use multi-coloured
winter flowering pansies, with a deep red winter flowering cyclamen in the centre
of the basket. Put out a number of hanging baskets as you would in the
summer.
There won't be any need to add water retaining gel to the compost before
planting out as this will keep the baskets too wet during the winter. Winter rain
fall and snow thaw will be sufficient to keep the baskets supplied with enough
water over the winter period.
Large winter containers, any of your choice, wooden or terra-cotta. Put plenty of
drainage material in the bottom of the containers.
Again, mix in a slow release fertiliser with fresh multi-purpose compost. Fill to
about three quarters full and start planting out.
I have used a centre piece of variegated Euonymus and planted bright red winter
flowering cyclamen, with multi-coloured winter flowering pansies and trailing
ivies around the centre piece.
In another large container I have used red and white heather, already in flower, as
my centre piece with pansies around them.
Don't forget to keep all the leaves off your lawns. Dispose of any dead plants or
twigs around the garden. Keep it all clean and tidy.
Wipe all your tools clean and put them away dry.
Happy Gardening............Norman Parcell
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