Let’s have a ‘socially distanced catch up in the garden’.

The latest announcements on COVID and next steps have definitely put a spring in my step. Isn’t it wonderful to think we’ll soon be able to have people in our gardens once again? I have provisionally pencilled in some dates but am slightly worried about catching up with all my gardening jobs first. I therefore thought it would be useful for this week’s blog to be on a quick maintenance checklist to help get us ready for those ‘let’s have a socially distanced catch up in the garden’ events on our horizon!

Entertaining in your garden –

March is still likely to be chilly so now is the time to start thinking about how you can ensure your guests are warm and cosy in your garden. Here are my top three tips:

As we don’t know when we will be able to entertain inside, I’m hoping to invest in a corner suite. I’m channelling creating a sitting room outside in the garden. Care will need to be taken to ensure social distancing is maintained so depending on how big this one is I may opt for a couple of sofa’s instead.

Gorgeous corner suite from Cambridge Home and Garden

Add warmth and texture. I’m absolutely in love with the throws from Tom Lane so will be investing in some more to drape over the backs of chairs. Not only do they look stylish but they are also super soft and cosy, perfect to pop round shoulders when the temperatures drop. I may even treat myself to some of their socks to as there’s nothing worse than having cold feet!

Another great way of adding some heat is to invest in a firepit. I’ve recently found this marvellous invention which is a firepit and grill combined. You can therefore add some warmth and feed your guests at the same time. Now I’m liking this!!

Buschbeck firepit and grill from Cambridge Home and Garden

So, you’ve created a warm and cosy corner in your garden, now the attention is on how to make the garden look tidy. Here’s some jobs you can be getting on with in February.

Divide large clumps of snowdrops and replant them for next year and even more snowdrops.
Last week I spoke about cutting back grasses (https://myenglishcountrycottage.co.uk/preparing-the-spring-garden/) but now is also a good time to divide congested grasses. It’s also a great way of making new plants for free!
Now is a good time to prune back out of control climbers – before the birds start to nest.
Don’t forget about those sweet peas!! Now is the time to sow them. You can read more about the how to here –https://myenglishcountrycottage.co.uk/getting-out-in-the-garden/ If you have already started, then make sure you check in on them as they may need to be potted on.
Improve soil quality by spreading garden compost or mulch over beds.

Don’t forget to plant up

Believe it or not but there are some bulbs you can be planting now for Summertime blooming. Agapanthus and Lilies are a couple of them and both do well in pots so this year I’m going to give them a try.

In terms of lilies, you can plant them from the Autumn months right through to Spring. They requirea sunny spot, in well-drained soil. If planting in borders, then you will need to plant them around 15-20cm deep. I will also follow this rule for when I pot them up in containers. Don’t forget, if you are planting in containers then make sure you have drainage holes in the bottom of the pot and also add stones to the bottom of the pot to prevent the soil from becoming water logged.

Another of my favourite Summer bulbs is agapanthus. However, they can sometimes take a while to get established in a border as their roots like to be compact. If like me you are sometimes a little impatient, then growing them in containers is ideal. Following the same principle as detailed above and plant the -10cm deep and 10-15cm apart. They will be susceptible to frosts so make sure you bring the containers in if it gets cold. Like the lilies they will require a warm, sunny position.