When it’s cold and wet outside it’s hard to get motivated to get out in the garden. If the sun comes out though, even half an hour spent outdoors in winter can pay huge dividends when it warms up. The mouse family in my compost bin got a rude awakening when I lifted the lid on them yesterday. I’ve set some traps for them today.
1. Spread some mulch
Bare soil is bad soil so use whatever you’ve got to cover it. Lawn clippings, straw, seaweed or compost spread on the surface now will be pulled down into the soil by worms and other organisms. You’ll keep the worst of the weather and weeds at bay and by spring you’ll have richer soil as a result.
2. Sow green manure
There’s usually space in our gardens in winter to sow some lupins, broad beans or mustard. They’ll protect the soil as well as adding organic matter to it. You can either chop the plants in with a spade or pull them out and use them as ingredients for your compost heap.
3. Plan your summer garden
Work out what went well last year and what you want to change. Too many beans? Not enough carrots? Short on salad? Plan for yourself and your family and the time and space you have. Prioritise the things you love and add a couple of extras for luck!
4. Read the seed catalogues
Seed catalogues provide lots of inspiration and information, even if you mostly buy seedlings from the garden centre. Remember that sowing seeds is cheaper and gives you more varieties from which to choose, even though it’s a bit more work.
5. Divide your rhubarb
Split each clump into three with a spade every three to five years for a bumper crop. Dig a big hole and fill it with compost before replanting. Give away spare pieces to a rhubarb-loving friend or neighbour.
6. Plant a fruit tree
Winter is the best time to plant fruit trees as they’re dormant. It’s surprising what you can fit into even a small garden. Perhaps a climbing grape or an espaliered apple, peach or pear.
7. Make compost
Keep collecting all your garden and kitchen waste to make compost to spread in spring.
8. Clean your tunnel house or cold frame
If you have a tunnel house or cold frame, give it a good scrub with soapy water and rinse well to get rid of any mould and let the sun shine in. Consider building a simple cold frame out of a recycled window and some scrap timber so you can give your seedlings a good start.
9. Set some mouse traps
Mice will be searching for seeds and shoots in spring so keep their numbers in check with a few peanut-butter baited traps.
10. Plant your garlic
The middle of the year heralds the start of the new season and is the traditional time to get garlic started.
Even if you just do the things that you can do from your armchair, getting a head start in winter will get you set for a great spring garden!