03/02/2017
Prepare beds for new roses when conditions allow. Avoid wet days and frozen ground.
Test your soil for pH and nutrient levels; this can help you choose suitable plants for your garden, and allow you to rectify any nutrient deficiencies with a spring feed. Simple tests can be done at home or phone Matt 07752500426 to test and help choose your plants.
Improve the drainage of heavy soils by working in lots of organic matter and coarse gravel (if necessary).
Clear up w**dy beds before mulching. Lighter soils can be mulched now, but heavier soils are best left until March, when the soil is warmer.
Mulching with a deep layer of organic matter helps to condition the soil, suppress w**d growth, insulate plant roots from temperature fluctuations, and conserve soil moisture during the summer.
Check whether containers need watering. Pots that are sheltered by eaves or balconies can miss out on any rainfall. Check the compost at a hand’s depth to see if it feels dry. Aim to keep pots moist, not wet.
Pots and tubs benefit from topping up with fresh compost. Old compost can be removed and replaced if there is not much room.
Towards the end of the month, you can top dress beds and borders with a balanced fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone, to feed perennials as they start back into growth.
