The root to happiness

Leave the cosy warmth of your living room, get up, wrap up and get gardening.

We tend to think that the garden goes to sleep during this month and I suppose to a large extent it does. The Herbaceous perennials are now safely tucked up in their subterranean bed nice and cosy just waiting for the spring temperatures to increase and then they will tentatively send forth their buds to test the temperature above soil level. So too are many of our shrubs and trees that are still overground but not interested in doing much at this time of the year. But don’t let that be an excuse because as gardeners we can’t afford to take a rest during this month.

There are particular jobs that have to be done during this month when plants are dormant. Any trees or shrubs that have outgrown their space or need to be moved, for whatever reason, can be lifted now and transferred to their new home, with time to establish before the new growing season starts. Their roots will have time to repair damage that was caused during their move before they start seeking water for growth in the spring.