Gardening calendar

Working in the garden will not be the first thing that springs to mind as a nice way to spend your free time this month. There are however some pleasant ways to be involved with your garden now, such as making plans, choosing plants and enjoying the first flowering plants, like Hellebores and Snowdrops.

Garden tips for January

• This is the time to plan for the new gardening season!
• Snow provides good insulation for plants, but it can weigh down branches, so it should be shaken off to avoid breakage.
• Feed birds in a spot at least 1.75 metres above the ground so that they are not in danger.
• Avoid frost damage to pots. Check that drainage holes are not blocked.
• Remove dead and diseased wood if there is no frost.
• Check that overwintering tub plants are not too dry. Water sparingly.
• Cover frost-sensitive bushes and perennials. 

Although February can treat us to some severe frosts, many gardeners are already looking to the new gardening season. As soon as temperatures stay above freezing in the daytime you can get going.

Garden tips for February

• Trees and shrubs can be planted if there is no frost.
• Fertilizer can be applied to borders.
• During frost-free periods, (fruit) bushes and trees can be pruned.
• Water tub plants sparingly.
• Salt can be scattered on icy paths, but do this carefully as it can damage borders and lawns.
• Move overwintering tub plants into a warmer, lighter place and repot if necessary.
• Remove dead flowers from winter-flowering plants.
• Weeding now will save a lot of work during the rest of the year.

The first signs of spring are now clearly visible. Plants in the garden and on the balcony are gradually coming to life, and gardeners are keen to get down to work, as there is plenty to do this month to prepare the garden for the coming season.

Garden tips for March

• Spring is in the air! Winter protection can now be removed.
• This is a good time to plant new plants!
• Feed and aerate the lawn and sow grass seed in bare spots.
• Sow peas, broad beans, cauliflowers, brussels sprouts, onions, turnips, beetroot, parsnips and leeks.
• Pot plants can be repotted.
• If you want to divide perennials, this is the time to do so.
• All plants can now be transplanted.
• Prune roses, lavender, late-flowering shrubs and ivy.
• Plant summer-flowering bulbs now.
• Fertilizer can be applied to borders and roses.
• Now is the time to start protecting your garden from slugs who enjoy the taste of new perennials.

The striking colours of spring flowering bulbs bring life back to the garden after the dull winter months.
Here are some useful tips to help you make the most of your garden.

Garden tips for April

• The lawn now requires attention. Start sowing your new lawn as it is warm enough for the grass to start to germinate. Feed with nitrogen and mow weekly.
• Neaten up the edges of the lawn.
• Enrich borders with compost, fertilizer and damp peat.
• Early-flowering shrubs can be pruned after flowering.
• Remove wild branches (suckers) from rose bushes as soon as they appear.
• Clean the pond (if you're lucky enought to have one).
• Cut old foliage from ornamental grass and ferns.
• Evergreen shrubs, conifers and hedges can still be transplanted.
• Trim winter heather. Rejuvenate your hedges that may have grown in all angles.
• Pot plants that are still indoors should be watered adequately once they start to shoot.

The month of May is characterized by new life and abundant flowering. Spring is now in full swing, and you can enjoy it to the full on sunny days in your garden or on your balcony, admiring all the gorgeous colours and flowers. Here are some useful tips to help you get the most out of your garden.

Garden tips for May

• This is an ideal time to plant annuals and herbs.
• All hedges can be trimmed.
• Tub plants and frost-sensitive plants can now be moved outdoors, although you should still beware of night frost!
• New plants and vulnerable plants must be watered regularly.
• Combat aphids and snails.
• Plant oxygen-producing plants in the pond.
• The lawn could use an extra dose of (granulated) cow manure.
• Cover flower borders with peat.
• Remove dead wood from hortensias.

June is the first real summer month. Gardens and patio plants are still a fresh green but they are getting more and more colourful every day. Although there are many jobs to do in the garden, take your time, sit back and enjoy the warm sun and all the new colours and fragrances in the garden.

Garden tips for June

• Roses now require attention. Administer fertilizer and cut off dead flowers.
• Removing dead flowers prolongs the flowering period.
• Deciduous hedges can be trimmed at the end of the month.
• Do not mow the lawn in sunny weather as the grass may burn.
• Plants that have already flowered can be divided and transplanted.
• Combat harmful insects.
• Do not plant anything else in the pond.
• Water in the morning. Watering in the evening can encourage the development of mould.
• Get rid of those weeds!

This is a real mid-summer month that should most of all just be enjoyed. Relax in the sun surrounded by the summer colours and fragrances and leave the chores for a slightly less sunny day. But what should you be doing on those days?

Garden tips for July

• Feed the lawn if you have not already done so.
• Water plants, especially tub plants, early in the morning.
• Give tub plants a weekly dose of fertilizer.
• Remove dead flowers from perennials to encourage a second flowering.
• Tie in the new shoots of climbing plants.
• Combat aphids and other insects.
• Remove flowers from lavender and roses that have blown over.
• Hedges can be pruned.

In this summer month, the garden is full of festive colours and scents. Your garden or balcony serves a summer lounge where you can enjoy the long warm evenings to the full. Overcast days are perfect to get on top of little chores that will prolong the abundance of flowers.

Garden tips for August

• In periods of drought, your borders will be parched and will need plenty of water.
• Sprinkle the lawn for a few hours once a week, but not in full sunshine.
• All hedges can be trimmed again.
• Thin out pond plants if necessary.
• Aerate and seed the lawn if necessary.
• Mow the lawn and tidy the edges.
• Remove weeds.
• Prune conifers.

The summer is not yet over and there is still plenty to enjoy: the first spiders' webs decorated with pearls of dew, the colourful berries and butterflies, and the fabulous late-summer light on the flowers in the garden. But there are also a number of jobs that need seeing to.

Garden tips for September

• Spring-flowering bulbs can be planted now.
• Add new winter-flowering and spring-flowering plants to the border.
• Tie back tall plants to protect them from autumn gales.
• Do not seed or feed the lawn after mid-September.
• Conifers can still be pruned.
• Continue to remove weeds.
• Bulbs and tubers that have finished flowering and are not winter-hardy should be removed from the ground.

At this time of year there are masses of beautifully coloured berries, that together with the fiery coloured autumn leaves, make it a real pleasure to do the necessary garden chores. Although the weather can still be pleasantly sunny and warm, we can also expect night frosts during this month.

Garden tips for October

• Spring-flowering bulbs can be planted now.
• Add new winter-flowering and spring-flowering plants to the border.
• Tie back tall plants to protect them from autumn gales.
• Do not seed or feed the lawn after mid-September.
• Conifers can still be pruned.
• Continue to remove weeds.
• Bulbs and tubers that have finished flowering and are not winter-hardy should be removed from the ground.

We often get an encore of summer at the end of this month, it is wise to start preparing for winter. Still there is no need to rush. Weather permitting, there is always something to do or see for the true gardener. The garden can still look quite glorious with the last of the late-summer flowers in bloom.

Garden tips for November

• It is still possible to plant if there is no ground frost.
• Prune roses in preparation for winter, but not too drastically.
• Cover perennials with compost or a mixture of manure and peat.
• Weed for the last time.
• Prune fruit trees as soon as they lose their leaves to rejuvenate them.
• Keep tub plants frost-free and water sparingly.
• Aerate the lawn in dry weather by pricking holes.

December is the winter month in which we can expect the first serious frosts. This is your last chance to take preventive measures against frost damage, like covering sensitive plants.

Garden tips for December

• Pick Christmas greenery from your own garden. Suitable plants are holly, ivy, conifer sprigs, rose-hip, Gaultheria and Monarda.
• Protect vulnerable plants and roses against frost.
• As long as there is no frost, all tree varieties can be pruned and bulbs can be planted.
• Keep a section of the pond ice-free.
• Cut back vines.
• Disconnect the outside tap.
• Protect pruning wounds with a sealing agent.