29th January 2024

I have always held the belief that, for many reasons, the difference between a good gardener and a bad gardener is two weeks i.e. do the job at the right time. Well, the good news about January is that the clock stops and the pressure is off. Most plants are sensibly hunkered down under ground and digging at this time of year compacts the soil. Too soon to sow most seeds and not good to plant into frozen ground. The water table is high and the ground sodden with exceptionally strong winds. We are still picking Kale and Leeks from the Vegetable Garden and the unheated Greenhouse is now a shelter spot for tender pots of Geranium or Fuchsia but seed sowing will wait until the temperature warms up.

There are some exceptions of course – pruning jobs for the Viburnum, Sambucus and fruit trees, but most hedges and roses at Hindringham have already been done. Another exception is the Nut Walk. This is a major January task taking 2 or 3 weeks, skilfully tying in, weaving and cutting shoots and forming the beautiful framework that visitors appreciate in the summer. Photos on Facebook/Instagram.

We have yellow Jasmine on walls, purple Iris Stylosa (Unguicularis) along the foot of walls and Hellibore starting to flower. Snowdrops and Aconites are up but still tightly closed; some Primroses are appearing on sheltered banks and we have the lovely Iris J S Dijt (Reticulata) pushing up through the gravel beside the front porch.

^{So in January and February our thoughts turn from plants to maintenance and these are the months for repairing lawn edges, filling potholes, cleaning Greenhouse pots and windows, putting down fresh gravel, and renewing signs, fences and posts. All the wear and tear jobs that get neglected or forgotten once the plants require attention.}

Rabbits are a nightmare with holes appearing everywhere and the same is true for moles. The sheep seem very contented on the lush grass and our Hebridean flock usually start producing lambs from about April 1^st.

Who knows what challenges the February weather will bring but the lawn mower has returned from servicing, bulbs are poking through the soil, the birds are loudly singing and we have a whole fresh new year of gardening to plan and look forward to.

 Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker