Jobs for winter (wear scarves and gloves!)

[Sara]

A glance out of the window shows it's time to bring out the winter woollies. Here at Grow Your Own, we're looking ahead to the colder months.

We'd like to hear your essential jobs for January. Whether you'll be mulching the Christmas tree, harvesting kale or sitting in the potting shed with a pile of seed catalogues, we want to know.



Your answers may be edited and published in Grow Your Own magazine's January issue.

[Alison]

Mending the fence and general maintenance jobs on the plot. Sowing chillies / peppers / aubergines / onions / shallots at home in anything from a heated propogator to the greenhouse at home as appropriate. Harvesting cabbages, kale, sprouts, leeks, parnsips, carrots, swede etc from the plot and enjoying the stored onions, spuds, frozen green stuffs and chutneys & jams at home.

Tend to still go up to the plot every weekend but don't stay as long as it's too cold and goes dark so early. If it's above freezing then I'll be doing a bit of general weeding too as well as finalising the plans for 2012

[Garden_Chris]

I'm hoarding every and any Spring 2012 seed catalogues I can get my hands on for when January arrives.

[shona_b]

January jobs include making the final decisions on which crops are going where in my higgledypiggledy rotation system and trying to work out exactly how many squashes I can fit into my half plot without it resembling "land of the triffids"! But best job on the plot has got to be breaking out the flask for a warming brew and having a catch up with other hardy winter allotmenteers.

[binley100]

I will be sowing onions, tomatoes , chillies, aubergines and peppers ........depending on the weather I will also be going to the lottie as there will still be plenty to do to kick it into touch for the year ahead.

[pauco]

Greenhouse cleard of Tom's & Peppers, clean down for winter done, main clean out done in Spring.
A few more Winter Onion sets to go in tomorrow, the compost from tomato growbags & from the Peppers will be spread around flower borders for winter soil feed & a bit of protection for small bushes.
Then just keep an eye on things as the winter weather sets in to do its worst
Roll on Spring

paul.

[solway cropper]

I tend to do all the 'architectural' jobs in winter as I'm far too busy growing things at other times. By architectural I mean things like mending fences, and paths, straightening wonky steps, tidying up edges of borders, slapping on wood preservative where needed, etc. Then there's fruit tree pruning and taming some of the more rampant shrubs.

The most eagerly anticipated event is the arrival of the new seed potatoes. Once I've set them away to chit I really feel that the new season is starting in earnest.

the recycled gardener

[Ananke]

I've got a patio to finish laying, a shed to move and most of the plot to dig over. I want to get all the paths covered in cardboard and topped with chips but that will depend on whether we get a chip delivery. The greenhouse roof needs fixed.

I also need to to move my trees to a little 'orchard' area rather than them dotted around the plot. I have lots of large containers that need emptied and moved then refilled.

Theres so much more to do but i've just remembered that you just said January lol, I'd
need several winters to get everything done

[JamesM]

I'm planning on growing more flowers next year so i'm sort of having a think of where everything's going to go. We don't have much space and 99% is in pots so it's a case of what needs to be grown in what size pots.

Also making a big effort to keep bird food well stocked- fat balls, sunflower seeds and peanuts.

[pauco]

Whilst on the subject of food for our wintering garden birds, please try not to forget their need for WATER! Moreso if we have bad ice/snow. IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT for their plumage and health.
If you read this i thank you.

paul.

[Piggle]

I'll be digging and mending my badly built paths ........... also I'll be praying that my PSB pulls through as the -20c winters have seen it off the last two years. Who knows I may actually hate PSB but I'll never know!

[chucks]

This winter I will mainly be building more raised beds, problem is, come spring, I'll still not have enough space!!

I'll also be building a sturdy "greenshed" for undercover growing, paths need made and existing ones tidied up a bit and I hope to plant a lot more beech hedging, but thinking of Willow or Hazel too - decisions decisions

For me, it seems impossible to find the right balance. In summer with long days, I'm too busy in the garden, weeding, dead heading, sowing, mowing or just sitting enjoying the peace, when I should be doing the things I don't want to do when it's freezing, wet and dark in winter

[planetologist]

Sterilising soil and then using it as potting compost. In January that's probably leeks and broad beans.

[secret santa]

I usually have a jolly good sit down, a cup of tea or two and get to grips with any repairs to my sleigh.

[chefgage]

January will see me in the garden looking at the raised beds and shaking my head. It does not matter how much I plan
I always seem to end up wanting to grow more than I have space. As it is the front garden has two large raised beds to grow the veg in along with numerous pots.

So I think January will be spent with a paper and pencil trying to fit it all in (unless I move into next doors garden when their not looking