kate burtonwood -- Lover of Green Things, rhs and botanically trained horticulturist, happy gardener
A really gratifying task at this time of year is working with snowdrops. Snowdrops (Galanthus) are a beautiful winter-flowering plant. My excitement bubbles up on seeing them because they feel also like the first heralds of an approaching spring. Other gardeners have commented …
Start sowing: You can start off vegetables and flowers indoors. If you don’t have a greenhouse or a propagator, a warm windowsill will do. Start weeding: Even at this time of year unwanted plants are sprouting. Common weeds like hairy bittercress and celandine are …
Winter pruning: Now’s the time to prune wisteria, some fruit trees and climbing roses. Additionally, if you haven’t been out properly since the winter snow, you may find damaged trees and shrubs you need to tidy up. Plan ahead: Choose and order your …
If looking out at your garden in winter is making you unhappy, it may be time to take stock of your seasonal selection. Gardens, especially more traditional English gardens, can be synonymous with flowers. But it is worth paying as much attention to structure …
Just before I left on my holiday to India, a former colleague from Oxford Botanic Garden pointed out that Kerala is an area of great horticultural interest for its “forest gardens”. These are sustainable gardens around a residential house, from which the owners either …
Delhi is incredibly green compared to my expectations. New Delhi is spread out, with tree-lined streets and frequent parks. This is no accident. When the new city was designed and built, avenues of trees were a major part of the plans. Specific …
Have a good tidy of the shed. It’s clichéd, but it’s a good way to spend some “outdoor” time inside. And if you find you’re missing some vital equipment you could always add it to the Xmas list. Move plants – if …
Plant hedges: Now is a good time for bare root planting, and if you are thinking of installing some hedging (either evergreen or deciduous) mid autumn is ideal. Repot Acers: In Autumn you can work on deciduous trees. Acers in particular will appreciate being …
Cut back borders: It’s time to chop your herbaceous plants to let them overwinter quietly in the ground. Visit gardens with Autumn colour: Leaves are changing fast and soon they will be gone. Head out to great tree collections (I like Stourhead, Westonbirt and …
