GARDEN: Dry January a Wash Out for Many

Weather wet or dry, January is a great time to get out in the garden

Millions of Brits have given up on ‘Dry January’, where no alcohol is consumed for the month, following the announcement of the latest national lockdown. And so far, the weather this January has been anything but dry too! We have endured heavy rain, wind and flurries of sleet and snow.

If you can’t wait for the weather to dry up then January is actually a great time to get out in the garden. Rain is a gardener’s friend, after all it helps plants grow! And gardening is a perfect activity to enjoy safely at home, so whether you want to get the whole family involved, or escape the family, don’t worry about being dry, just get outside in your garden, get gardening and stay safe at home. Getting outside in the fresh air is great for your mental health and wellbeing too.

This is a great time to:

· Deadhead winter pansies

· Feed fruit trees and bushes

· Prune hedges such as hawthorn and privet

· Firm shrubs that may have been loosed by the wind

· Plant hardy plants such as roses, shrubs, hedging and ornamental trees

· Add vibrant winter colour to your garden with primroses, winter flowering heathers, hellebores, camellias and mini Tete-a-Tete daffodils

You can plant hardy plants throughout the winter provided the ground isn’t frozen. Just try to refrain from standing on very wet borders and lawns to avoid compacting the soil.

Squire’s Garden Centres is available online for local delivery of all your gardening essentials at www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk. You can also shop in store subject to strict social distancing measures.