December 2023/January 2024
After all the wet weather do not rush out into the garden as soon as it looks good. The ground will
be very wet, lawns will/could be soggy so it is best not to get onto the ground when it is like that.
Allow it to dry out, you will make more mess and destroy the soil if you start treading on soggy
ground. Leave the leaf litter on the soil to protect the soil structure from further damage. Worms
will love the cover and along will micro-organisms will feed on the organic matter creating a much
better soil.
Lawns may need some attention. It is possible that they may need mowing. Keep the blade high and
just top the grass. Any areas that are water logged on the lawn can be spiked using a fork to try and
get rid of any soil pans which are not allowing the water to drain away.
Leaves of Hellebores can be removed to allow the fresh new shoots to come up carrying the new
flowers. Keep an eye on herbaceous plants that may have got too much mushy foliage over the
crown and remove the mush.
If you are using a fresh cut Christmas tree cut off around 25mm off the bottom of the tree and stand
the tree in water until you are going to put it in position in the house. Keep the tree as cool as
possible when you put it in the house as even the ‘no drop’ trees will drop needles if the air is too
dry and hot. Water the cut stem regularly once set up in the house.
Take care and have a Good Christmas and Happy New Year.
Geoff Hawkins