WHAT is it about winter so many folk dislike?

In winter it is easy to put on an extra coat or pullover as opposed to the full heat of summer when there is a limit to how many clothes one can take off!

Summer is about trying to keep water up to plants, scorched leaves and pesky insects. Whereas, as we go into the second month of winter, now is a time of renewal.

This winter has been very mild with few frosts and regular rain. Under the ground, the roots of autumn plantings are quietly developing with the warmth still in the soil.

Bulbs are emerging to brighten our spring days. Beautiful buds are developing on spring-flowering shrubs. We are enjoying the first flowers on blossom trees with the delightful flowering apricot Prunus mume. Even the early flowering wattles are starting to brighten dull winter days. Winter is such an exciting time in the garden.

 

A FEW theatrical ideas can add fun to a garden, a few quirky statues or ornaments.

Dare to be different, say, with a bright yellow garden seat rather than the standard stained timber furniture.

Our main garden seat is a rich purple. It adds colour in the winter to an otherwise drab garden. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules in gardening.

Grow vegetables amongst the perennials and shrubs. Lettuce looks great filling a gap of bare dirt or red spinach can add a great splash of colour, too. You do not have to have a specific veggie garden and, in fact, will find less of an insect problem with this style of companion planting.

The main thing is to please yourself, don’t worry about making it look good to compete with the neighbours. Think less about maintenance and more about developing an atmosphere in your garden.

 

I ALWAYS recommend planting shrubs, perennials and even annuals in groups of, say, threes, fives or sevens for a more natural look.

While it is tempting to walk around a garden centre and pick out one of this and one of that, you will not have room for one of everything. That’s the role of botanic gardens (or living museums, as I often refer to them) or you’ll end up, as the late Mackenzie Clay, of Canberra, used to say, with “a fruit salad garden with one of everything”.

Betula pendula or silver birches are often planted in groups, which encourages a tall columnar form. There are numerous other columnar trees that look effective planted in a group. For example Prunus cerasifera “Oakville Crimson Spire”, is an extremely upright purple-leafed flowering plum with white flowers in spring, growing to 5-6 metres tall and just 2 metres wide.

For sunny days…

• In the veggie garden, it is time to plant asparagus and globe and Jerusalem artichoke.
• Most garden books suggest onion seedlings can be planted now, however in this district leave this planting for a few more weeks.
• Plant chives in bold groups amongst the flowerbeds and similarly plant rhubarb as an ornamental with its big bold leaves.
• Plant garlic in groups near roses making sure it is not the imported Chinese garlic. This has been chemically treated in accordance with quarantine regulations and will not grow.
• As buds emerge on early flowering fruit trees spray with Bordeaux or Kocide to prevent brown rot in fruit. Also spray the ground under the trees.