Gardening Jobs for January
Now is a great time to repair and reshape your lawn edges keeping a special eye on the areas around the flower and shrub beds. Dig out the damaged area using square cuts on three sides using a spade to remove and lightly fork over the now empty area. Replace the same piece turned 180° so damaged edge is now on the inside. Trim the new edge to match, cut away any damaged area and re-seed or re-turf using turf from a garden area that will not be missed. Lightly water in.
Take a look at any unused plots you are planning on planting up in the spring. To get a good start soil preparation is a huge benefit. The fine root systems of your plants will adapt much quicker in a crumbly soil surface.If your soil is not a heavy clay one, then all you need to do is a light raking over. For heavier, lumpy soil a three prong cultivator will be the best tool, then rake over to a fine tilth. Be sure weed the area thoroughly now and just before planting.
As temperatures drop, birds need to eat as much high energy food as they can in order to keep warm. Because there are less insects around and not as many berries, it’s a great idea to leave wild bird seed, peanuts, sunflower seeds out for the birds in your garden. Apples cut in half and speared or even whole left on your lawn are good for Blackbirds or other members of the Thrush family. Cheese, suet, fresh coconut can be used by birds. Meat trimmings and lumps of suet can be hung out on strings or melted fat can be poured over bread to make bird cakes. An easier way would be to come on in to the Pavilion and avail of our high energy seed/nuts and high fat bird suet/balls and feeders.
