"Hows and Whys": Winter
A
quiet time in the garden, when even the weeds don’t grow and we toast
our toes in front of a blazing fire. Rain, frost and snow make it hard
for even the keenest gardener to venture outdoors, but read
To dig or not to dig for when you can. 2007
was the year of the slug, so be ready to do
battle with that pest when the temperature warms up and they become more
active. As winter draws to a close, you can start your
winter sowings of vegetables such as
tomatoes and peppers that take a long time to fruit, in the greenhouse
or on a window sill.
Winter is the time to let nature help reduce garden pests and to think
about how to attract more wildlife to
your garden. Be sure the
fruit and veg garden is clean and clear of debris – decaying cabbage
leaves and stalks could harbour overwintering grey aphids, for example.
Hang feeders and fatcakes in the garden to attract birds. They will pick
over the soil, removing slug eggs and millipedes. And though your cat
may catch the odd bird, it’s much more likely to feast on the voles that
would scissor down young seedlings.
The cold weather is not all bad either: the frosts will break down the soil
making it easier for plant roots to penetrate and will reduce pest
numbers.
Winter techniques: