How to Draw Back the Curtains on Your Winter garden
In February, first thing in a UK morning ,a peak out of the window often yields to the eye a rather grey, green and otherwise colourless vista.What to do, I ask myself, no lifelong gardener- the day is bright but frosty.This time of year is a great opportunity for prepping for spring and ridding the garden of perennial weeds ,and this work will also be good for me .A great amount of scientific research suggests that Gardening isn’t just about making your house look good, although even a little curb appeal never hurts. Caring for plants can also do wonders for your own wellbeing. Even some light work in your garden means you are interacting with nature whatever the season of the year. This is so beneficial to your mood and therefore your mental health.So resist returning to the warmth of the duvet.
No stress or strain
Gardening can have its ups and downs.Although many people are refreshed when spending time doing even the simplest tasks ,others can find the experience greatly stressing.If you are new to gardening keep it simple and stick to realistic targets to avoid attempting to do too much.
Weather protection
If your home has a small patio, you can still have a garden by growing plants in containers.Container gardening gives you the choice of growing all kinds of flowers, plants, and also vegetables.Be careful, though, to bypass the problem of frost by taking your containers into the protection of your home, shed or garage.
Planning
A little planning can ensure that your workload throughout the coming seasons is kept down. By selecting perennials you can reduce the the amount of care your garden requires.So go for plants that return year after year which require little weeding and pruning.Edible perennials, such as asparagus, rhubarb, oca, sea kale and sorrel, can provide tasty additions to your salads as well as attractive fillers in your borders.Another general tip, when growing vegetables to eat in a dedicated patch save on energy, cost and resources by not planting more of a crop than you can use or readily give away.
Compost
If you use compost, plan to put this down two or three weeks before you plant.Allow the compost enough time to mix with the soil so that the soil pH becomes stabilised for testing and your plants given the best opportunity to thrive.
Pruning and Tidying
-Some early in the year tasks in the garden are pruning and tidying.
-Checking tools to ensure you have the ones you need now and for the rest of the year and that they are in good working order
-Prepare seed beds if you are of a mind to grow your own
-Have a go at getting rid of those perennial weeds that seem to appear from no where particularly during winter when nothing is supposed to be growing!
_ coupled with weeding I shall be lightly hoeing my flower beds to freshen-up the soil
Bending and Lifting
Gardening at anytime of year usually requires a lot of bending and lifting.Doing it right is important to avoid undue strain on the body and consequent injury.Planting and weeding the wrong way can place a lot of strain on the lower back so a good technique is to squat or put one one knee on the ground rather than bend at the the waist.Try switching knees every few minutes.A small pillow or a kneeling pad is also recommended if the groundwork is prolonged.
Lifting shrubs and bags of soil or waste should be done with caution.When lifting keep a straight back and bend at your knees.Use your legs not your back to take the strain.Tasks are better done safely, without twisting the body and over a period of time.
That’ll Do Me For Now
The positive aspects of gardening are many and maintaining a garden can be far simpler than one might think and a healing place. At any any level of skill, we can learn from new tips and challenges that make the experience more enjoyable and a less stressful one.Simple tips may seem just that rather simple but remaining mindful of how you garden will be sure to result in enjoyment and will encourage good safe habits.
I feel much better already but it’s time for a warm drink. Keep-up the fluids!
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