Practical Gardening

THE DORMANT season generally refers to the months of November through to February. Four months. Increasingly these four months seem to be being whittled away from either end with deciduous plants holding their leaves longer, preOphelia at least, and breaking bud earlier too. Herbaceous plants are flowering longer, dying back later and re emerging earlier.

Evergreens are now growing a little even in winter and this is to say nothing of the lawns that virtually need mowing year round. This is however still the gardening season of opportunity to plant bare root and root balled trees and shrubs and lift and move plants in your own garden.

A bare root plant is supplied unsurprisingly without any soil attached to the root system. They are grown out in open fields in soil rather than compost then lifted in winter.

This is a very useful way to buy hedging plants in large quantities as they are cheaper , easy to transport and easier to plant. It is also a good way to buy certain trees and for some species in larger sizes at a fraction of the cost of a containerised equivalent.

When planting a bare root specimen it is very important to ensure that it is well and securely staked and tied as obviously it is very venerable to being blown over by winter gales.

A root balled plant is supplied with a undisturbed ball of soil still attached to the root system. They are still grown in an open field but are lifted carefully in winter with as little disturbance to the roots as possible.

There, in the field, they are wrapped in hessian sack or even hessian in plastic wrap for smaller plants and hessian sack and chicken wire cages for large plants. This still works out cheaper than buying containerised plants as the growing costs are reduced.

When planting root balled plants it is advised to leave the hessian sack or wire cage intact but once the plant is in position in its planting hole cut away the tying knots at the top of the rootball or any wire close to the stem. Both the hessian and wire cage will root in the ground within a couple of years without inhibiting root growth. Of course if there is plastic wrap involved this needs to be removed completely.

This lack of root disturbance is particularly important for species like birch and beech that in largers sizes resent being moved and can be difficult to transplant. Planting bare root or root ball plants should be done with the same care and preparation as for container grown plants. Summer watering can be particularly important with bare root transplants in the first year.

The dormant season is also a good time to reassess your existing planting. We all fall into the trap of slightly over planting, after all who wants to wait ten years to feel your garden has a fullness to it.

This doesn’t mean that after five years when your planting scheme has filled out a little that a shrub or tree can’t be shifted to a new position. Many woody plants within this time frame will replant quite happily although Mediterranean plants like lavenders, cistus and Erysimum along with ceanothus are not sucessful.

If moving an established tree or shrub it is best to cut back the existing growth by half, with a tree this is done on the crown only.

This should be done whether the plant is evergreen or deciduous. This pruning will reduce the amount of leaf on the plant in spring relieving the stress on the root system allowing it re-establish more easily.

When digging up get as much soil and root as is possible and disturb as little as possible. Always have the new planting hole prepared and ready to receive the lifted plant immediately.

Herbaceous plants tend to be easily moved in winter with the exception of fleshy root plants like Agapanthus and Paeonia that are best left until early spring to help prevent their roots from rotting. Otherwise it is just a matter of digging up and spliting. This can be done by chopping with a spade or if two garden forks are placed back to back then force the handles together – it will rip the root system apart.

This division of herbaceous plants in most cases is advisable every three to five year anyway to keep the stock plant fresh and flowering well. Always mark where the new roots are planted as this may not be evident later in winter. ABOVE: Iris unguicularis ‘Mary Barnard’. SEASONAL affective disorder is a type of depression. It occurs in the autumn when the days get shorter and the evenings longer and there are less daylight hours. It’s commonly known as SAD. Symptoms can last right through until February.

The lack of light during winter can disrupt your body clock, the circadian rhythm. The reduced hours of daylight can trick your brain into thinking that it is night time during the day; this can then cause the symptoms which include: fatigue, persistent low mood, lack of motivation, sleeping more than usual, and feelings of despair and sadness. Appetite can also be affected. You can feel drained and lack motivation.

Vitamin D is an important nutrient to help with mood and the best source is the sun! Unfortunately we don’t get enough sun in the summer, and when we do we cover up. In the winter the sun is too low to be of benefit to us. As a result many people are deficient in vitamin D which in turn can impact negatively on melatonin and serotonin levels. For this reason vitamin D is an important vitamin to consider supplementing with.

Other supplements that can help include Omega 3 fish oil, Tyrosine, B Vitamins, and Rhodiola.

Rhodiola is a herb which may improve serotonin levels in the brain. Low levels of serotonin affect energy, and mood. It can cause feelings of depression, and affect sex drive and libido in both males and females. Rhodiola can help improve these symptoms and will also help memory and concentration.

Lack of energy, motivation and drive are also common symptoms associated with SAD. One supplement that I have tried myself to deal with these symptoms is Higher Nature Drive. It contains Tyrosine, and B vitamins which support thyroid function, and also support dopamine levels which are important for motivation. It works brilliantly for me.

Getting plenty of daylight is extremely important, go outside as early as possible in the day, take your break and exercise outside when you can. Open your curtains and blinds to let as much daylight into the room as possible. SAD Light Therapy Lamps are another option worth considering.

Call into your local health store for more advice. They may have other options. Check with your doctor if you’re on medication before taking supplements.