by Janis on 27th January 2023 / 0 comments
A New Year and new challenges
Happy New Year to you all; let’s welcome in 2023 with open arms.
We may be in the depths of winter in the UK but let’s be positive, as the shortest day is now behind us, and the evenings are gradually stretching out.
What I do enjoy about this time of year is when we get a beautiful bright day, and the sun is shining. It may be a little on the chilly side, but it’s such a pleasure stepping in from the garden and snuggling up with a mug of velvety hot chocolate.
Pinterest?
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What we’ve been up to this month
In the garden and on the websiteWell, we’ve certainly had a mixed temperature of the weather. Our late winter/early spring flowering bulbs can’t make their minds up whether to peep through the earth or remain hidden.
I planted lots and lots of bulbs in pots on the patio, which are slowly coming to life; however, I’m longing to see the first sign of our snowdrops coming into bloom.
Bulbs in our patio pots
In January, when we did head out in the garden between bouts of flu, we’ve mainly been tidying up and ensuring our garden waste bin is always full.
This year our council decided they will not take our whole Christmas trees anymore, so we’ve managed to break them down into smaller pieces, and both of our Norwegian Firs fit into one bin. By hook or by crook, the council were going to take them.
The squirrel feeder
Gary has secured our new squirrel feeder in the garden, so hopefully, it’s just a matter of time before our new fluffy friend shows its face.
Achievements for January
Let’s keep ticking those boxesAs you would expect, January has been a reasonably quiet month in the garden. Although we’ve managed to tackle the ivy around the back of our potting shed.
Gary has previously cleared some of the rampant evergreen, but it seems as though no sooner you turn your back and it weaves and creeps its way around again.
Clear ivy around the back of the potting shed.
Tidy and clear some pots on the patio.
I've been flicking through my garden magazines for inspiration for the coming months.
Flowering Hellebores
Lessons learnt & mistakes made
You live and learnIt’s been another quiet month for learning new lessons; however, I’m pleased I made an effort a few months ago to plant hundreds of spring bulbs. Fingers crossed that they all appear.
Our plans for the coming month
What’s on your to-do list?Start clearing weeds and unwanted planting in the Cottage Garden section.
Keep cutting back and managing our overgrown and unruly shrubs in the Secret Garden.
Progress with planning the different garden sections and understanding the likes and dislikes of our plants.
Prune our two standard roses; I’ve read that living in the southeast of the UK, it’s safe to prune them in February.
Clean out our bird feeders.
Prune our Contorted Hazel, our RHS Planner, has assured me late winter is the correct time of year for this job.
Tidy up the front garden.
The Contorted Hazel
Please let us know what you have planned in your garden this month; we’d love to know.
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