We all feel a little miserable at the moment, what with the credit crunch and the weather of late. But to look on the bright-side, we are now on the other second half of winter – the better half. All down hill from here.
I don’t know if you have picked up on this yourself, but recently there is a pleasant smell in the air. Things are starting slowly to emerge from a winter’s snooze, the air itself it slightly warmer and the days are getting longer. I better not talk about what the birds are up to, but it is a sure sign that spring is on it’s way.
February is not time for slackers in the garden!
We should now be popping to the local garden centres to get stocked up in seeds, compost (peat alternative – of course) and all of the usual gardening gubbins. I can’t help feel a child-like excitement over the prospects of planting and sowing in the coming months. Who said winter has to be a quite time for the avid gardener? There are plans to draw up and land to be cleared.
So far this month, I have purchased my potatoes and started to chit them - shoots are already forming; now is a good to move and divide perenials. You can also plant (under cloches) early carrots, parsnips and broad beans. February is also a good time to get mulching whilst many plants are still dormant. A generous thick mulch of manure or compost will help retain moisture during the summer months as well as provide some nutrients and improve soil structure.
Well, there are plenty of other things to be getting on with. Happy gardening!