December

I offered to write a column for the new Bovey Tracey Horticultural Society website explaining each month what I was doing in my  and the frost make it impossible to work with the soil, and it’s probably best to sit in front of the fire with next year’s seed catalogue and make a few lists.

My Winter Garden

So, what do I write about? Well, I suppose the obvious answer is to write about what has been done already, and what the plans are for the new season.

So far the debris has been cleared from the last growing season. The bean sticks have been put away, the few potatoes I have left are still being used, and the worst of the weeds have been cleared. I made a determined effort to clear and plant out the strawberry runners and they are now all set to grow next year. I have put in the autumn sown broad beans (Aquaduce, of course!), and we have a good supply of winter vegetables which we are now eating. I have some wonderfully prolific sprouts – F1 Brenden, a variety I have not grown before, a good crop of leeks and a double row of parsnips, some chard ,a few gangly purple sprouting broccoli plants, and some kale.

Of course, the main question is, what am I going to do next? I must go through my seed tin and see what I can salvage from last year, and then make my new seed order. I have to admit I am a bit guilty of ordering the same varieties each year – better the devil you know – but I always try to order at least a few new varieties to see what happens.

The other job to get done is the digging! I did read an article by Bob Flowerdew the other day advocating a ‘no-dig’ policy, but I am not convinced. Although a lot of hard work it does break up and aerate the soil and you can dig in manure if needed, and clean out or dig in the last of the weeds. Also, it looks nice when it’s done! I do like looking at my garden, there is a certain satisfaction in knowing that it’s all your own work!

The other thing I need is some energy! Just at the moment it is a case of , ‘Yes, I will start the digging, but maybe tomorrow – if the weather is OK’ – and then find something else to do. But it has to be done, and I will be doing it in easy stages. So far in my life I have not had a back problem, and I don’t want to have one now! So, take it easy!

My Summer Garden

The picture above shows what can be done and makes me think of the long sunny days in the garden, and that’s what makes it all worth while.  Oh, and winning a prize in the summer show as well!

Maurice Bard

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