The Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2023

4. Disperse worm casts
in lawns
Earthworms are useful in the garden,
including in most lawns, but if you
have unsightly worm casts you
can simply rake over them with an
upturned rake and disperse the soil
across the lawn.
5. Inspect stored tubers of
Dahlia, Begonia
and Canna for rots or
drying out
They should be stored in trays of
sand, coir or vermiculite, with the
crown of the plant (where the stems
join the roots) just showing
6. Prune apple and pear
trees
Your aim is to take out a bit of old
wood each winter, to stimulate
new growth. But the majority of the
fruiting wood should be quite young -
1 to 4 years old - as this is the wood
that fruits the best. Aim to create
an open centre to your tree to allow
more light into the canopy to ripen
the shoots and fruit.
7. Start forcing rhubarb
For an early harvest of tender and
pink rhubarb, cover the crowns
with a layer of straw or bracken and
cover over with an upturned bucket
or a traditional clay rhubarb pot to
exclude light. Stalks will be ready to
pull 2-3 weeks earlier than uncovered
crowns. Crowns that have been
forced should be left without pulling
for the rest of that season.
You can force rhubarb from January
8. Keep putting out food
and water for hungry
birds
Feed regularly so birds will not waste
vital energy visiting your garden
when there is no food. Try to make
provision for birds that feed on the
ground as well as those who take
seed from feeders. Also consider
planting berry-bearing shrubs such
as cotoneaster and pyracantha to
fill gaps and provide an ongoing
food supply for your avian visitors.
And don’t forget to take part in the
RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch from
27-29 January!
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