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After a very mild autumn in 2016 we have only just started to get some sharp frosts over the last week. It is best not to stand on your lawn or flower beds when they are frosted as you will damage brittle plant stems and leaves. So I recommend that you enjoy admiring your frosty plants - above are my fennel seedheads and Adiantum fern sparkling with frost. Then wrap up and take a walk through the local parks or the countryside.
If you're itching to get on with some gardening I suggest you start planning your seed sowing schedule for 2017. Have a look at my Top Tips sheet for information on planning and good suppliers of seeds.
Seasonal Tips
The new year means a chance to plan out your seed sowing for the new season. While it's early to sow your seeds now, you can take time to look through catalogues and websites to see what is available. I usually select unusual flowering plants to grow from seed which are difficult to buy as plants from garden centres or online suppliers. Also, if you have a cold garden (as I do) you'll find that plants grown from seed in your garden will be hardier than the same varieties grown by suppliers in perfect conditions. For small gardens it is hard to have flower colour all year round due to lack of space, but with annual flowering plants you can add interest by squeezing these 'temporary' plants into borders or pots. Click here for help with your seed sowing schedule. If you are completely new to growing plants from seed come along to my Plant Propagation Workshop in May.
Update on Gardens to Visit
Be inspired by the Dunham Massey Winter Garden this month. There is a large garden area developed for winter interest which includes scented Witch Hazel and Sweet Box with Dwarf Irises, Snowdrops and Silver Birches. And don't forget the Deer Park and lovely cafes!
As you may know, the RHS is developing a fifth garden in Salford, on the site of Worsley New Hall, which has been named RHS Bridgewater. Tom Stuart-Smith (a garden designer with multiple RHS Chelsea Gold Medal wins) is designing the site. The first phase is not due to be opened until 2019, but the garden Curator Marcus Chilton-Jones, will start this month. Click here to follow updates on developments.
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Grow Your Own Vegetables and Fruit Course
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Thursday Evening Class with four sessions. Starts 2nd February at Whalley Old Grammar School Community Centre. Ideal for beginners; the course covers all the basics on growing vegetables and fruit. Click below for more details and to book online.
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Garden Design Basics Course
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Thursday Evening Class with four sessions. Starts 2nd March at Whalley Old Grammar School Community Centre. Ideal for beginner gardeners who want to improve the layout and planting in their own garden. Click below for more details and to book online.
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Grow Your Own Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit Workshop
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Saturday 18th February This one-day workshop at Didsbury Parsonage in South Manchester covers all the basics of how to grow vegetables and includes a hands-on seed sowing session. Click below for details and online booking.
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Springtime Pruning Skills Workshop
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Saturday 11th March At this one-day workshop at Brinscall Hall near Chorley you will learn how to choose and maintain hand pruning tools and practice pruning techniques for a range of shrubs and small trees. Click below for details and online booking.
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More Spring Workshops covering wildflowers, wildlife and growing plants from seeds and cuttings
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