ACTION PLAN
NIGEL COLBORN’S ESSENTIAL JOBS FOR YOUR GARDEN THIS WEEK
DO YOU have snowdrops or yellow winter aconites (right) and want to build up the numbers? You have two choices. Lift, divide and re-plant the largest clumps now or dig up the dry bulbs or tubers in September.
For autumn division, mark exactly where those clumps are now. Top- growth will disappear after spring and you’ll need to know where to dig for the bulbs.
To divide your plants, dig up your selected clumps and gently shake surplus soil off the roots. Tease the crowded snowdrops apart, down to individual bulbs.
With aconites, gently break up the knobbly tubers, making sure each fragment has at least one stem and some roots.
Re- plant your divisions immediately, where you want them to grow. Plant snowdrops deeply, but set the aconites so that their leafy ‘collars’ are clear of the ground.
Leave developing aconite seed heads attached — they’ll ripen and self-sow.
FROST WARNING
THE recent cold spell reminds us that winter is not yet over. If you have marginally hardy plants that are outdoors but protected, don’t remove covers or mulches yet. Wait until early spring and even then, have fleece handy for cover on extra-cold nights. Vulnerable plants such as tree ferns, bananas or tender climbers need full protection for several more weeks. Don’t cut back tender perennials such as penstemons or New World salvias until the end of March. If you have dahlias still in the ground under mulches, watch out for slugs.
WATCH OUT FOR NESTS
BIRDS will soon be nesting and should not be disturbed. If you have any hedge clipping still to do, complete it as soon as you can. This applies especially to dense or evergreen hedging — a favourite nesting site for wrens, longtailed tits and dunnocks. Blackbirds and song thrushes love nesting in leafy wall plants and climbers. Leave some dense growth in honeysuckles and jasmines. The birds will thank you for it by providing musical entertainment. Evergreen hedges such as yew and box benefit from an annual cut in August.
READER’S QUESTION
I HAVE a problem with my weeping fig tree, which I have had for 15 years. I may have overwatered it, but most of the leaves have fallen off and it looks pretty sad. If I re-potted it, what type of compost should I use and which plant food is best for feeding?
Jane Aston, London. WEEPING fig, Ficus benjamina, is a tropical tree, which thrives in low light levels.
Potted specimens won’t tolerate waterlogged compost but, if any green leaves remain, you can probably save your plant if you act now.
Turn it out of the pot, shake off most of the compost and prune away any dead stems.
If the roots are congested, gently tease them out. Re-plant in a slightly larger, free-draining pot.
Use good quality potting compost and support your plant with a cane. Keep it watered — but never leave it in standing water — and place it close to a good source of indirect light.
Don’t begin feeding until the plant has fully recovered and is in growth. Then use a liquid product such as Baby Bio Original every ten days.