December 2024/ January 2025 From The Potting Shed
With all the wet weather we have been having the ground is quite wet. Any areas that you were thinking of digging I suggest that this winter you just cover the ground with home grown compost, manure, rotted leaves or any other organic matter you can get. This will cover the ground therefore stopping erosion by any more rains. Worms become more active and take the organic matter down into the ground thus leaving the soil undisturbed. Next spring the soil will be in better condition for sowing and planting with little cultivation required.
Damaged leaves on hellebores can be removed to allow the flower stalks to come through. If you are on heavy clay soils then lift dahlia tubers and store in a cool dry place over winter. On lighter drier soils you can cover with straw and compost and leave them in the ground to grow next year.
With this mild weather we may need to be mowing lawns even up to Christmas, so do not put the mower away yet. Keep the blades reasonably high if you have to mow.
Enjoy the cold winter evenings going through the seed catalogues either physical catalogues or ones on the internet. There are always new varieties to try next year.
Seasons Greeting to All.
Geoff.