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As I write this the forecast for Wednesday in Cambridge is looking bright - a good day to be out in the garden or the allotment, or contemplating the window sill! So today's ideas are all about plants and seeds, preparation, planning, planting. There's plenty to be doing indoors as well as outside!
As I write this the forecast for Wednesday in Cambridge is looking bright - a good day to be out in the garden or the allotment, or contemplating the window sill! So today's ideas are all about plants and seeds, preparation, planning, planting. There's plenty to be doing indoors as well as outside!
In the flower garden
In the flower garden
Why not start off with just planting some beautiful bulbs - flowers for early pollinators and bringing joy into the early first signs of spring.
Why not start off with just planting some beautiful bulbs - flowers for early pollinators and bringing joy into the early first signs of spring.
If you have them you might need to prune your roses to prevent wind-rock.
If you have them you might need to prune your roses to prevent wind-rock.
For a good work-out try turning your compost!
For a good work-out try turning your compost!
Winter gives a chance for beds get to truly rest, and for those beds that are going to do so, it’s good to look after them and keep them snug. Now is the time to plant a cover crop mix (green manures) on rotating annual beds, something to protect the soil, to replace fertility, and to provide mulch in the spring. The other idea would be to provide a thick, mulch blanket for winter, emptying out compost bins, dropping crop waste, and piling up extra leaves.
Winter gives a chance for beds get to truly rest, and for those beds that are going to do so, it’s good to look after them and keep them snug. Now is the time to plant a cover crop mix (green manures) on rotating annual beds, something to protect the soil, to replace fertility, and to provide mulch in the spring. The other idea would be to provide a thick, mulch blanket for winter, emptying out compost bins, dropping crop waste, and piling up extra leaves.
Insulate any outdoor containers from frost - bubble wrap or some old sacking works well.
Insulate any outdoor containers from frost - bubble wrap or some old sacking works well.
Leave plenty of seed heads for the birds - and to self sow even if it does look a bit messy, and collect any special seeds to plant in the spring or to share with your friends.
Leave plenty of seed heads for the birds - and to self sow even if it does look a bit messy, and collect any special seeds to plant in the spring or to share with your friends.
The "Kitchen Garden"
The "Kitchen Garden"
There's always lots to do if you're lucky enough to have some space to grow food crops. Here are just a few ideas.
There's always lots to do if you're lucky enough to have some space to grow food crops. Here are just a few ideas.
As well as harvesting the last of any fruits, try to collect and store seeds for next year’s bounty.
As well as harvesting the last of any fruits, try to collect and store seeds for next year’s bounty.
Direct sow outdoors:
Direct sow outdoors:
• hardy broad bean 'Aquadulce Claudia'
• hardy broad bean 'Aquadulce Claudia'
• pea 'Meteor' for an early crop next year.
• pea 'Meteor' for an early crop next year.
Plant outdoors:
Plant outdoors:
• overwintering onion sets and garlic. For something different this year, try the massive elephant garlic.
• overwintering onion sets and garlic. For something different this year, try the massive elephant garlic.
• asparagus crowns for tasty homegrown spears.
• asparagus crowns for tasty homegrown spears.
• spring cabbage plants
• spring cabbage plants
Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem
Cover brassicas with netting if pigeons are a problem
Cold frames are an amazing way for keeping temperatures warm enough to grow greens into winter and, in many cases, harvest from them into spring. Autumn is the time to get the cold frames out, and with them, fresh food in the winter becomes an option. Find out more here
Cold frames are an amazing way for keeping temperatures warm enough to grow greens into winter and, in many cases, harvest from them into spring. Autumn is the time to get the cold frames out, and with them, fresh food in the winter becomes an option. Find out more here
Now is the time to be ordering seeds and plants for next spring. Think about sharing an order with friends - I find there are far too many seeds for me in most packets!
Now is the time to be ordering seeds and plants for next spring. Think about sharing an order with friends - I find there are far too many seeds for me in most packets!
It's also the time to plant - or order - fruit and nut trees and perhaps drop a hint to family or friends about sustainable gift ideas!
It's also the time to plant - or order - fruit and nut trees and perhaps drop a hint to family or friends about sustainable gift ideas!
It’s good to support organic farming which includes seed production, so here are some useful links:
It’s good to support organic farming which includes seed production, so here are some useful links:
Garden Organic: https://www.organiccatalogue.com . The Heritage Seed Library run by Garden Organic is a way to keep old and delisted varieties going. There is an annual subscription for 7 packets because they’re not allowed to actually sell the seed.
Garden Organic: https://www.organiccatalogue.com . The Heritage Seed Library run by Garden Organic is a way to keep old and delisted varieties going. There is an annual subscription for 7 packets because they’re not allowed to actually sell the seed.
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