*Februarys Star Plant*

Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus) - This is a robust perennial. In late winter/early spring it boasts slim, goblet shaped flowers. They are available in white, lilac, red and purple. The average size is 10cm high. It is best to grow Crocus's in full view of the sun, however it will tolerate slight shade. Plant them in well drained soil that is fertile and healthy.

Gardening Tips for February

Here are some general gardening tips for the month of February...

*Top up food and water supplies for wild birds.

*Its time to apply organic-based fertiliser

*Firm newly planted trees and shrubs if they have been lifted by the frost.

*Prune winter flowering shrubs that have come to the end of their flowering season

*Prune any hardy evergreen shrubs you may have

*Start Dahlia tubers into growth

*Divide and plant snowdrops

*Now is the time to Lime vegetable plots if required

*Check that your garden tools are in working order and have a clear out to prepare for the spring.

Planting your tree

Spring is a good time to plant your tree and give it a good chance of survival.

Preparation - clear the area of any grass and weeds; you do not want them to compete with your new tree for moisture, nutrients and light. If you are planting in a lawn it is a good idea to cut out a circle of turf in the area to be planted.

Planting - Dig a hole big enough to take the roots and ensure there is enough room for them to spread their full extent. Keep separate any good quality top soil because this can be used later. Fork the bottom of your hole and loosen the soil slightly so as to enable the roots to establish in the surrounding soil, this is more important if the soil is heavy or clay. It is worth considering digging the hole a little bigger and putting a layer of gravel and compost in the bottom especially if the soil is of poor quality. Remove the pot off your tree and place it in the hole. It should be planted at the same depth as it was in the pot. Insert a stake next to the rootball not through it. It should be on the side of prevailing wind so the wind blows the tree away from the stake to prevent any chaffing. Start to refill the hole using the top soil you put to one side, ensuring the tree will not move. Firm down the soil well to eliminate any air pockets but not too much to compact the soil. Fasten your tree to the tree stake using a rubber tree tie and water well.

Aftercare -It can take up to 2 years for a tree to get fully established. So it is important not to let it dry out during this period especially during dry spells. Feed your tree from the first spring after planting there is no need to before that. Always check the stake and the tie regularly especially during the growth season.

*Januarys Star Plant*

Skimmia ( Skimmia Japonica) This is a tough evergreen shrub. It produces dense clusters of pink buds during the winter which open to show white flowers that produce a beautiful scent. This shrub requires little pruning. The leaves are a glossy dark green that stay like this all year round. Female plants will produce red berries if grown next to a male plant. A Skimmia should ideally be grown in the shade in rich fertile soil.

How to care for birds in your garden.

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At this time of year food is very important for wild birds as natural supplies are low. There are many ways that you can feed birds and attract them into your garden at this time of year.

Finches, Sparrows, Buntings, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Robins and Chaffinches are predominantly seed eaters, you can encourage these species into your garden by providing hanging seed feeders or bird tables with plenty of seed resting on. Some also prefer to have seed scattered on the ground for easy access.
There are many blends of seed that are available including sunflower seed, millet, hemp and flaked maize. Some mixtures may contain dried mealworms or fruits for extra nutrition.

Yellowhammers, Reed buntings, Blue tits and Siskins are frequently found eating peanuts. You can hang peanut feeders in trees, poles and from a bird table to provide nutritious food. Peanuts are packed with energy and are rich in oils and proteins, this makes them an ideal food for wild
birds during the winter. Make sure you check your peanuts and
feeders regularly and discard any mould which may appear. Peanuts that have been roasted or salted should not be given to birds.

Plants to attract birds into your garden - Aucuba, Barberry, Budlei- Butterfly bush, Japonica, Clerodendrum, Cotoneaster, Daphne, Euonymus europaeus, Hebe Veronica, Hippophae- Buchthorn, Hypericum-St johns wort, Holly, Mahonia, Prickly heath, Pyracantha- Firehorn, Rhus- Sumach, Snowberry, Lilac and Viburnum.

Pest control: How to keep Cats/Moles out of your garden!

Most gardeners experience a visit from a Cat or a Mole at some point. There are many products available to rid your garden of these menaces! Click here

For Cats there are 4 main products avaliable. These are "Growing success cat repellent" which consists of small pellets, " Get off Crystals", this product is a gel which you scatter on your garden and "Silent roar" which is also sold in a pellet form. All of these products have odours which cats do not like; this therefore deters them from entering your garden. The final and usually the most succesful cat repellent avaliable is a "Sonic Cat repeller". This uses a battery for energy or an adaptor from an electricity supply connected to your house. The product sends sonic signals to the area which the cats need to be repelled from.

For Moles you can use a Claw trap or alternatively a product called "Growing success repellent". These are crystals which are dissolved in water then sprayed onto the area. You can also obtain a sonic Mole repellor which works in the same way as the Cat repeller however you can also have a solar powered Mole repeller.

Planting Tips for January

Here are some general gardening tips for the month of January...

*Check the supports of your trees and shrubs
*This is the time to be planting deciduous hedging
*Prune your trees and shrubs to help them maintain shape
*Also It is the time to Prune Wisteria and other climbers
*Brush any snow off of trees and shrubs to keep them strong and make sure branches do not break off.
*Aerate your lawn to improve the drainage
*Plant Sweet Peas under shelter
*Get ready to plant seeds and summer flowering bulbs.