Must do's for this month

Jobs that won't wait
Order or buy seeds as soon as possible - especially seeds of those plants that should be sown in mid and late winter so that they have a long growing season.

Check bulbs being forced for Christmas and New Year flowering. Do this regularly to ensure they do not dry out and make certain they are given light and warmth at the right time.

Protect any shrubs of borderline hardiness, especially in cold regions. Even if some damage has already been done, it may not be too late to provide protection as the majority of garden shrubs will grow out of limited frost and wind damage.

Take winter hanging baskets under cover, either into the greenhouse or porch, before very severe weather arrives. Baskets are particularly vulnerable because the compost in them is exposed to cold from all sides and can freeze solid.

Bring under cover herbs potted up for forcing.

Check on the condition of stored apples and pears.

Lift chicory for forcing, pot up and keep in darkness in a warm place. Also lift rhubarb roots for forcing indoors, and start forcing selected crowns outdoors.

Lag or protect outdoor pipes if not already done. Better still, turn off the supply and drain the pipes.

Knock snow off branches of shrubs, conifers and hedges to prevent them breaking under the weight.

Keep an area of the pond ice free if you keep fish.



Information in this section comes from Reader's Digest New Gardening Year - a month-by-month guide to success in your garden