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December, 2013
New Year Gardening Resolutions
With the last few hours of 2013 ticking away my thoughts are already turning to the new year and all the potential it holds. This is always an exciting time of year: the chance to reflect on the year just gone but importantly the opportunity to start afresh and set new goals. So with that in mind, I have decided to make some New Year gardening resolutions for 2014. Here goes with my top five gardening must-dos for the year ahead...
- Mulch more! We all know it makes sense (good for the soil, good for the plants, and a good weed suppressant) but all too often we get overtaken by events and before you know it new growth has gotten so big it makes the task difficult if not impossible. So this year, I'm going to be more organised and be ready to mulch from now through March.
- Linked to the last resolution, I really should make more of all those autumn leaves, especially since the mighty oak in the adjacent park is so keen on sharing! So, I've already bagged up several bin liners full of them. Now it's up to you, Mother Nature.
- Prune at the right time. My old apple tree served me well this year, yielding a bumper crop that made many a flapjack apple crumble and homely apple pie. But I want to keep it ornamental so I will prune it in January - come rain, shine...or heaven forbid, snow!
- Make time to deadhead regularly. I love the first flush of flowers from my favourite herbaceous perennials but nothing lasts forever. A bit of timely deadheading however will work wonders in encouraging a second flush. Santa's secateurs will come in real handy.
- Last but not least, get out more! With so many wonderful gardens - public and private - to explore, it's a shame not to take time out to visit, and a great way to be inspired. Now, where did I put my new calendar?
Happy New Year!