Edition Thirty Three -
December 2008
Gardening is an important part of many people's lives. You
don't have to give up gardening because of accident or illness, the
onset of disability or the problems associated with growing older.
Gardening can help individuals accomplish many things. It can help
rebuild a person’s strength after an accident or illness, and can
provide a purposeful activity for someone coping with a difficult period
in their life.
Through my love of gardening I have become familiar with Thrive which is a small
national charity that uses gardening to change lives.
They champion the benefits of gardening, carry out
research and offer training and practical solutions so
that anyone with a disability can take part in, benefit
from and enjoy gardening.
I have also written some tips for 'downsizing'
your garden,
here
*********
At this time of year Garden centres are usually made over to christmas
gifts, decorations and activities rather than plants, but what nicer
places can there be for christmas shopping?
Are you troubled by grey squirrels pinching food put out or
the birds? The RSPB recommend dusting a small amount of
the food with Chilli powder which is harmless to the
birds;
see here
Jobs for December
- Don't forget to keep the bird food topped up over the holiday period. If
you
are
going away ask a neighbour to do this for you.
- If your pond freezes over make sure you keep a hole in the ice for the
fish to get oxygen, which is another job for the neighbour..
- There is still time during December to plant any tulip bulbs that you
haven't got in the ground yet. Dig them in deeply enough and they can stay
in the ground year after year, rather than take them out as the experts
recommend.
- If you are planning on planting any bare-root trees, late autumn or early
winter is the best time, while the soil is still fairly warm. Don`t
forget to stake them for protection against strong winds.
- Forget about going to the gym, get some exercise by raking all the leaves
off your lawn. Leave the ones that have dropped in the borders as they will
rot down naturally and help the soil nutrition. (I usually hoe them in)
- It is all to easy to hibernate in the winter months, but a brisk gardening
session, when you are well wrapped up against the elements, will do you the
power of good. Try it...
- If we have bad weather, keep your paths and access routes free of snow and
ice. Get rock salt from your DIY store to put on the paths to melt the ice.
- Knock thick snow off evergreen trees to avoid the weight of it breaking
branches
- Cheer your home up with some potted hyacinths, cyclamen, azalea,
paper white narcissi and of course the beautiful seasonal poinsetta.
- Don't forget to ask Santa for some new gardening hand tools, or a
gardening book, or a new plant, or.......................
Happy Christmas to you all....
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