November December 2018
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GARDENING TIPS LATE AUTUMN TO EARLY WINTER<br />
by Phoenix Gardening<br />
Autumn is a busy time clearing away summer bedding, cutting<br />
back plants and preparing for spring.<br />
Now is a good time to start winter digging particularly on<br />
heavy soils, whilst clay soils will hold nutrients they can be<br />
prone to cracking in prolonged dry spells. Try digging in some<br />
organic matter such as well rotted horse manure or homemade<br />
compost. Organic matter breaks down a lot slower than<br />
proprietary composts and will help open the soil. You won’t<br />
change your soil overnight but it’s a good practice to get into.<br />
Blackcurrants, gooseberries and raspberries can all be pruned<br />
now. Cut back the tops of herbaceous perennials, leave the<br />
flower heads on Hydrangeas and don’t cut penstemons back<br />
to hard, as the flower heads and the upper growth provide<br />
some frost protection for the next years shoots below.<br />
Finish planting any spring bulbs and bare root fruit bushes or<br />
trees should be planted now.<br />
You can also take hard wood shrub cuttings.<br />
So, early winter you can still prune blackcurrants, gooseberries<br />
and raspberries, there is still time to take hard wood shrub<br />
cuttings and you can also take root cuttings.<br />
Lift leeks and parsnips as required for use, if the weather looks<br />
like getting more severe you can lift Leeks and heel them in so<br />
they are easier to lift when the ground is frozen.<br />
Once you’ve stopped using the mower give it a service ready<br />
for next season, if you grow alpines, or are thinking of a small<br />
alpine garden in a container, they can be protected from frosts<br />
and winter wet by a sheet of glass.<br />
Check bulbs and corms that you have in storage for damage or<br />
disease and discard any that show signs.<br />
In the greenhouse, if you have a greenhouse ventilate on warm<br />
days where possible, as lack of air flow can encourage diseases.<br />
Gradually give plants less water, except winter flowering plants<br />
that are actively growing. Most plants will cope better with<br />
lower temperatures and diseases should be less of a problem.<br />
Clean the glass to make the most of poor winter light.<br />
Heading into winter is also a good time to think of the year<br />
ahead and what has or hasn’t worked in the garden, so you can<br />
give some thought to changes you might want to make in the<br />
coming year.<br />
Contact me on the number below if you need some help.<br />
Phoenix Gardening<br />
All aspects of garden maintenance - pruning, planting beds & borders,<br />
grass cutting, weeding, clearance, veg plots & allotments<br />
plus shed maintenance & patio\deck cleaning<br />
Reasonable rates - per hour\day\job. Always happy to quote.<br />
Registered Waste Licence Holder<br />
neilsgarden@yahoo.com<br />
Call Neil 07958 408667<br />
Covering Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill,<br />
Battle, Fairlight, Rye<br />
28 GOLDEN TIMES MAGAZINE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER <strong>2018</strong>
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