Jobs for January

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Big Planter - Jobs for January

It may be wet and cold outside, but there are still jobs to be done in preparation for spring in the garden. A little planning and thinking time now will pay dividends and help you make the most of your Big Planter.
• Think about what you would like to grow in your Big Planter. If you will be using it for long term planting, such as shrubs, small trees or even fruit trees, spend some time researching the best varieties to use in a container and the conditions the plants will prefer (including soil type). Large specimen plants can be quite pricey so it is important to ensure they get the right conditions to help them thrive over a long period.
• If you will be using your Big Planter for floral displays or vegetable growing, many a happy hour can be spent looking through seed catalogues and websites! However, it pays to be realistic about how you will grow your seeds. If you have a greenhouse or polytunnel you should be able to grow a large quantity and variety of plants. It is also possible to sow seeds successfully with just some space on a windowsill but the seedlings must receive maximum light to ensure that they don't get too spindly.
• Although it is tempting to get sowing seeds early, bear in mind that conditions outside will need to be favourable before you plant them out. Many flowers and vegetables are not hardy (frost proof!) so you will need to delay sowing seeds until April or May. We will be trying some of the new vegetable varieties which have been specially bred for container growing this year. We will plan our sowings to ensure that we make maximum use of the planter throughout the growing season, starting with a few hardy salad leaves. The information on seed packets can be really helpful - use it to work out when to sow, how long it will take to fruit or flower and how big the plants will be.
• If you will be using your Big Planter in a school setting, you might be able to take advantage of the free seeds often offered by the bigger seed companies. We hope to write about gardening for schools and children at greater length throughout the year.
• January is a good time to clear out the greenhouse and clean your seed trays to ensure that you are ready to start sowing once conditions improve. It is also a good idea to buy a fresh supply of seed compost to give your precious seedlings the best possible start.
• Alternatively, you could order (or buy) plants in the spring which will be ready to plant out once conditions have improved. A wide selection of flowering and productive plants is now available in garden centres and online if you do not have the time to grow from seed. Once again, ensure that your plants are hardened off before they go outside, and wait until frosts have finished if they are likely to be tender.

 

Posted: 1st January 2010

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