Practical Gardening
JANUARY can be a strange month in the garden. Many of us want to hit the ground running and tackle the new gardening year with enthusiasm and gusto but the weather can often dictate otherwise. There are no really pressing jobs timing wise to be done in January so don’t be overly concerned or hard on yourself if you have done little so far this year.
I would in fact suggest that if your soil and lawn are saturated or frozen then don’t push on with tasks that will be detrimental to either and stay off and away from both until the weather improves a little. This mustn’t be an excuse to waste that New Year enthusiasm though so channel your energy into jobs that need doing and are not particularly weather dependent. Gardening should be a pleasure not a chore and working in adverse weather can shake even the most ardent of us so work clever and keep enjoying. Selecting to do these certain jobs now instead of perhaps spring when you had planned to tackle them will free up time in spring which is often the busiest time of the year in the garden and make your crowded schedule then a little lighter.
Getting your lawnmower and power tools serviced and sharpened now is a very good idea. Many of the tool shops get huge demand for such works once people begin to think of using their mowers again and back logs and delays can occur. Get in early and be ready and willing come spring.
Garden furniture can be taken into your shed, garage or even house for an early spring clean. Wooden furniture can be treated with presevative or painted. Metal furniture can be rust treated and painted if necessary. Plastic furniture can be washed down with soapy water or if white a bleach solution. Always work in a well ventilated area. If you are doing this in your shed or garage the tidying of these areas will probably become very apparent.
Go through these storage areas clearing out anything that is not needed and despose of it. Try to create a storage system for you tools and horticultural products that is easy to keep tidy and also allows everything to be seen at a glance.
Patios, decks and hardstanding areas can be jet washed now. These areas can become slippery particularly during winter, jet washing will help stop this as well as giving the areas a fresh clean look. Consider treating decks with a non slip paint once a year too. Gravel areas can also be attened to now. Treat with moss killer, rake and top dress with a little fresh gravel if needed.
Cleaning your glasshouse and polytunnel is another bad weather job. Scrub all surfaces inside and out, glass, plastic and working areas, with a broom or scrubbing brush and disinfectant. Make sure all algae and moss is removed and check and clear any guttering, down pipes and water butts. Once you have cleaned your glasshouse conisder starting off some early potatoes in large containers or sowing some early vegetable or flower seeds.
Any plant maintenance that is near pathways and patios can be carried out from the hard surface without walking on the soft or frozen ground. Likewise if you have an unruly lawn edge that is meeting a hard surface this can be neatened back from the hard surface side to leave a neat and tidy edge. Fruit trees like apples and pears can be pruned now but leave the Prunus varieties, plum, cherry, gage and peach until summer. If planted in an orchard situation the coarser grass in this area will take little harm with foot traffic. If you still have fallen leaves on grass areas remove as soon as possible regardless of how wet the areas might be. If you grow rhubarbs you can now start to force growth under large pots.
Don’t panic yourself into working in poor and unfavourable conditions with soil and lawn jobs, there is still plenty of time for winter work before spring arrives, but remember ‘Idle hands are the devil’s workshop’ and get stuck into some of the jobs listed here and get a flying start for the year ahead. HORSERADISH is something that you don’t hear much about but it’s a fantastic traditional remedy to treat and fight off chronic bacterial infections. It’s been used for many years. Horseradish deals with excess catarrh, helps respiratory ailments, is a mild decongestant, and thins mucous on the chest and lungs. It also helps relieve acute sinusitis, acute urinary tract infections, and is particularly good for acute bronchitis.
Garlic also has a long tradition in natural remedies; it has both anti-viral and ant-bacterial properties. Garlic can enhance immunity and improve resistance to infection that causes colds, flus, and respiratory infections. It reduces the time of infection, as well as the severity of symptoms, and increases the production of immune cells. Garlic is one of nature’s greatest natural antibiotics.
Viridian Horseradish and Garlic Complex contains both which is fantastic as so you don’t have to choose one over the other. Both garlic and horseradish have natural broad spectrum antibacterial properties. It also contains zinc and vitamin C to support immunity and fight infection. It’s a great remedy for viral or bacterial infections including colds, coughs, bronchitis, and chest infections. It doesn’t contain any sugar or honey so it’s a great option for diabetics .Most cough syrups contain sugar, honey or sweeteners.
Beeactive premium raw ivy honey is produced by Irish honey bees feeding on ivy flowers in the autumn. Ivy is a traditional remedy which has been used for hundreds of years to deal with coughs–especially coughs associated with bronchitis. It works by helping to open the airways and thin mucous. It’s particularly useful for treating bronchitis, an infection of the lungs which cause the bronchi to become inflamed and irritated. And excess mucous triggers a cough. Beeactiv Ivy Honey is a fantastic Irish product made in County Limerick.
Comvita Olive Leaf Extract is a natural antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal remedy. It supports immunity and reduces inflammation. It’s useful for both chronic and acute ailments.
Other natural remedies to fight infection with a long history of successes include: Echinacea, Elderberry, Vitamin C and Vitamin D, and Beta Glucans.
You can combine any of these suggestions for optimum results. Call into your local health food store today for more information.