CUT BACK PERENNIALS

AS THE weather alternates between torrential rain and freezing temperatures, gardens have taken a pummelling. I usually leave seedheads and grasses for as long as possible, but this year everything has turned to black mush. I plan to take advantage of this weekend’s dry forecast to cut remaining perennials down with a hand tool. This is also an opportunity to assess which plants might need lifting and dividing in the spring.

IT CAN be difficult to motivate yourself to get out in the garden over winter, but I find organising my tool shed gives me the kickstart I need. Choose a dry day to bring everything out of the shed and give it a good sweep. If you haven’t done so already, wash out old plant pots to reuse them. Sort through seeds and organise them in a recycled box or tin according to which month they need to be sown in. Dip larger tools in a bucket of warm water then wipe dry with an old towel. My top tip for cleaning secateurs and hand tools is use baby wipes — biodegradable ones, of course.