Hitchin People has teamed up with Garden Designer, Maxine Tricker to bring you some helpful hints and tips to keep your garden looking its best!

The Garden in Winter  

The snow of the past few weeks is like a big rug covering over the ‘not so tidy’ bits of the garden - here’s a few ‘garden’ things you can do whilst the snow is still about… and once it’s gone! 

When there’s snow ...

• Lawnmower – book it in for an annual service so it is ready to go 1st thing in the spring. 

• Snow weighing down branches - tap the branches gently with a soft broom to remove the worst of the snow as branches can be damaged.   

• Seeds – order some seeds for growing flowers and veg in the spring

… and remember to feed the birds  !! 

When the snow has gone...

• Ground cover - Clear away the worse of any fallen leaves, especially around the lower ground covering plants, as these can harbour diseases. Also remove any damaged/diseased lower leaves … just so they can breath a bit and they look much happier too! You don’t need to pick up every leaf… leave a few for the worms to play with! Also look out for any bulbs that are emerging, so you don’t tread on them. 

• Pruning – prune apple & pear trees, deciduous shrubs/trees (after flowering, if they flower) 

A few ‘Winter’ plants to look out for…

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter fire’ (pictured above) – gorgeous salmony/red coloured stems 

‘Rubus cockburnian us’ (pictured above) - white stemmed bramble (goes well with Cornus.. and what a great name !) 

Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’ – delicate pink flowers on bare stems (lovely scent) 

Happy New Year  

Max

e-mail : Maxine@maxyourgarden.co.uk

 

Maxine Tricker Garden Design