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Winter Gardening and Landscape Maintenance
We haven’t had a proper frost in central London for the last three years, which means that it’s been possible to leave some of the less hardy plants outside completely unprotected through the entire winter. In fact, I know someone who even leaves their lemon tree outside all year round without the fear of damage. After having said that however, it is a risky game to play and it will only take one really harsh frost to destroy some plants completely. Other parts of the country are less fortunate and are assured a cold winter every year, but at least they can plan ahead, and it doesn’t mean that you can’t grow some of the less hardy plants, as long as enough caution is taken to protect them during the colder months. Whether protecting plants as a necessity or a caution it will also help to speed up new growth next spring.
Any tender plants grown in the ground should be mulched with a thick layer of organic material. Plants such as dahlias and canna lillies can be left in the ground after cutting back all the top growth to the ground. It’s a bit risky, and they will probably flower better next year if lifted and stored, but if you can’t be bothered to store them it’s worth leaving them in and seeing what happens. If they don’t come back you will at least have learnt something.
Plants grown in pots can be moved to a more sheltered area of the garden. As they are in pots the root system may be susceptible to cold and it may be worth wrapping the container in fleece. I move my Agave americana and Dasylirion right next to the house where they are protected from cold winds. If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse then move all your tender plants inside. If they are grown in the ground and aren’t too big it may even be worth digging them up and putting them in pots so they can be over-wintered in the greenhouse or conservatory. If the conservatory is centrally heated the tender plants will probably prefer to be protected outside as the heating will be a shock to their system and dry them out too much.
Landscape maintenance (or groundskeeping) is the art and vocation of keeping a landscape healthy, clean, safe and attractive, typically in a garden, yard, park, Institutional setting or estate. Using tools, supplies, knowledge, physical exertion and skills, a groundskeeper may plan or carry out annual plantings and harvestings, periodic weeding and fertilizing, other gardening, lawn care, snow removal, driveway and path maintenance, shrub pruning, topiary, lighting, fencing, swimming pool care, runoff drainage, and irrigation, and other jobs for protecting and improving the topsoil, plants, and garden accessories.
Groundskeepers may also deal with local animals (including birds, rodents, reptiles, insects, and domestic animals or pets), and create means to attract or repel them, as desired or necessary. A garden may also be designed to include exotic animals, such as a koi pond. In larger estates, groundskeepers may be responsible for providing and maintaining habitat for wild animals.
For more information about organic plants and gardening seeds, click on http://www.gardeningandplanting.com/
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