A new year takes hold

The end of 2013 was for hibernation, but the month of January and the first snowdrops, will encourage us back into the garden, writes Peter Dowdall

WELCOME to 2014 in the garden. Last year is put to bed at this stage and a new gardening year, with all of its promise of new growth and opportunities, awaits.

January is the month for fresh starts, and resolutions to change your life that may already have been broken. So, too, in the garden, this is the month for change. Our body clocks may have forced us inwards to hibernate during the end of last year, but our connection to nature and the natural world will start forcing us out of doors towards the end of this month.