Jobs around the garden in December

 Jobs around the garden in December

Alongside the wind and rain that we get here in the UK, December also brings more regular frosty conditions.  If you have a greenhouse it's a good idea to check the insulation and get the last of your tender plants inside, if you are planning to keep it warm check the heater is working too. On a bright sunny days it may also be worth opening the door or a vent to allow damp air to evaporate.

December is an ideal time for pruning many things, when the leaves have fallen it’s also much easier to see the shape and outline of the trees and shrubs that you are wanting to create and any dead or diseased branches that need to be removed. Wisteria and vines can also be pruned to promote flowers early next year. 

Now that the garden is dormant it’s also a good time to move anything that would perhaps look better or perform better in a different place.  Plant out new bare root material when it becomes available in the garden centres.

If you want to have a go at taking hardwood cuttings December is a perfect time to do so. If you have never taken hardwood cuttings before there are a few handy tips you can follow to make sure they have the best chance of  developing roots and providing you with new trees and shrubs.

One way of growing on cuttings is by plunging them directly into the ground in a prepared trench containing grit sand or perlite mixed with soil. If you are only taking a small amount of cuttings then they can be planted into pots and left outside. Some protection from frost by using a cold frame, cloche or protective fleece may be necessary for more tender species.. 

When choosing suitable plant material be sure to pick the new healthy shoots from the current year's growth.

Original drawing by Emma Hudson

Harvest the cuttings material using a pruning knife or secateurs that are both sharp and clean to reduce the risk of infection and damage.

Depending on the plant variety, take cuttings of between 6 and 12 inches long, the top cut should be above a bud using a sloping cut to repel water and deter rot. 

At the base, cut below a bud, you can also use a hormone rooting compound at this stage should you want to. If it's your intention to take lots of cuttings and space is tight, Dogwood and Willow can be put into bundles of 10-15, tied with garden twine and plunged together to save space

Plant them with 60% of the cutting beneath the soil then leave them undisturbed until next Spring. Once they are in leaf and growing strongly lift a small section to see if they are ready to pot on or plant out

Lawns

Winter can be very harsh on lawns and it is best to try and stay off them as much as you can especially during frost. If the lawn has become waterlogged it may be due to compaction or poor drainage. In small areas you can use a garden fork to make holes in the soil to a depth of at 10-15cm, then top dress with sharp sand.  This will help get air into the soil, aid drainage and hopefully  leave less standing water in your garden. The grass will also be able to take oxygen from the soil more freely, encouraging healthy growth. 

That's all for this year, thanks for reading. we will be back in 2024

Happy Christmas everyone!

Things to do in November

 

Now that the weather has turned and the leaves have begun to fall, you may have noticed that many tender plants are past their best, however lookout for the Cyclamen around campus as they are in full bloom under the trees and sheltered places. 

The gardeners on campus are now busy collecting the leaves and removing them from the walkways, cycle tracks and the large amount of grassed areas throughout the campus grounds.

This is done primarily to make sure that the paths are safe and slip free but also to prevent damage to the grass as being buried under a layer of leaves will turn the grass yellow due to a lack of light and may also harbour disease.

If you have a large volume of leaves at home you could use this to make a very valuable resource called leaf mould or simply just add them to your compost heap. Be aware of any disease on the trees which could spread these should not be composted and should be disposed of alternatively. 

Many herbaceous perennial plants would benefit from the tops removing just above the soil.

Remove any weeds in beds and apply some mulch to protect roots and to prevent the growth of new weeds. 

November is the ideal time to plant Tulip bulbs. Check them for any decay and damage prior to planting and make sure you plant the bulbs 3 times the length of the bulb.

If you are planting them in pots, it is better to use a mix of soil and grit to improve drainage as bulbs do not like to sit in water.

If you are feeling creative you can try lasagne planting which involves planting bulbs at different levels depending on which bulb flowers and in what order. 

For example plant Tulip bulbs towards the bottom of the tub as they are usually the last spring bulb to flower. Cover them in a layer of soil then plant another layer of bulbs such as Daffodils. Cover these with another layer before planting crocus and the last bulbs which are the earlier flowering Snowdrops. This will mean you will have a constant floral display throughout the spring.

Most garden centres will now be fully stocked with winter plants that provide colour throughout the winter months. Consider planting winter pansies, polyanthus and primroses in your borders, planters and window boxes. 

Between November and March most shrubs and trees will be dormant so it's a good time for planting. You can order bare root plants from garden centres, nursery's and even mail order which are all considerably cheaper than potted up versions. When you receive your plant it's important that you hydrate them in some water for 30 minutes or so prior to planting or if you are not ready to plant, heal them into some spare ground. 

Unfortunately due to the amount of rain we have had over the past few weeks lawns may have become waterlogged and are best left alone, do what you can to avoid walking on the grass to prevent any damage, dips or compaction being created in the soil. 

Veg

If you have an empty veg bed take the opportunity to cover it in well rotted organic matter to break down over the colder months releasing valuable nutrients which will improve the soil's fertility. It's a great place to put your leaves and let the worms do the work too.

Tools

Use the winter months to check over and repair your garden tools. Get your petrol machines serviced ready for next year. 

 October

As winter is well on its way and the dark nights are drawing in there are still many jobs that can be done around the garden. 

Make the most of any dry days to paint fences and sheds before the rain sets in.

If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse, October is the ideal time to give it a good clean out of old leaves, compost and pots and disinfect all the surfaces to prevent pests and diseases spreading over winter. Replace the insulation and check your heater if you are planning on overwintering any tender plants.

Lawn care

Looking after your lawn in October should include removing fallen leaves and maybe giving the grass a final cut before winter. It is also a good time to reseed any area that has become damaged or worn by mixing some grass seed with compost. In October there is still enough warmth in the soil to allow germination and rain will help with the watering.

October is also an ideal time to aerate your lawn too, you can do this simply by using a fork to make holes in your lawn10-15cm deep. Doing this will reduce water logging and help prevent soil compaction and the spread of disease.

Straighten up the edges of the lawn with an edging iron before the winter sets in and doing it now means that it will remain tidy until spring.

The flower garden

Lift Dahlia tubers and Begonia corms to store over the winter, find a cool dark frost free place to let them dry out to prevent disease. Remove any dead leaves and check for pests prior to storing.

You can take hardwood cuttings in October from shrubs such as Salix, Cornus, Continus, Rosa and Forsythia making sure you use a clean sharp knife. Once you have selected good material use a rooting powder before putting the cuttings in a 50/50 perlite and compost mix to encourage root growth.

Prune climbing roses when they finish flowering and tie up any loose stems that could be damaged by the wind. Clear any fallen leaves from your roses to help prevent blackspot. If your roses already have blackspot don’t compost the leaves, remove them from the site as the spores can live among the rotting leaves that are left and can pass the infection on.

Cut back and clear any perennial plants that have died down, after weeding and tidying the garden borders and beds use mulch such as bark chippings or well rotted manure to protect the plant roots over the winter and suppress weeds.

Vegetables

Finish harvesting any remaining peas and beans and simply cut the plant away at ground level. Leaving the roots in the soil will give back nutrients as they break down. If you intend to plant more beans and peas next year you can start to prep the area now by digging out a trench and filling it with well rotted manure.

Harvest any pumpkins before the frost hits as they can quickly turn to mush if left outside. If you have Rhubarb this is the ideal time to split any congested clumps with a spade and replant the healthiest looking pieces.

September tips

New students arrive and our previous year students return and once again Campus will come alive with sound and colour.

Touches of gold start to appear this month as Autumn creeps in, and as always there are tasks to be getting on with..

Before the ground gets cold consider planting bulbs ready for the Spring. There are so many to choose from now alongside traditional Crocus, Daffodils, Hyacinths and Bluebells. Spring flowering bulbs are an essential part of creating a healthy ecosystem, so the longer the flowering period the better.

Divide your favourite herbaceous perennials as the weather cools. If you get the chance to take some photographs this will help you with other planting once the plants have died down and are dormant. Some of the plants will now be at there best, Dahlia and Crocosmia among others. But seasonal plants including summer bedding plants will be finishing and past their best. September is the ideal time to clear out the bedding from the planters and pots and replace them with winter bedding plants. 

There are a wide variety of plants to choose from including the more traditional such as Primrose or pansies but if you are fancying something a bit different why not try some ornamental cabbage as feature plants that turn pink in the colder months.

Fruit and Veg 

The apples and pears should be ripening and ready for you to pick, tidy up fallen apples to prevent them attracting wasps.

If there are too many apples for you to use, store them in a cool dark place.

Pick any remaining Raspberries and Blackberries. If you have too many to use up you can freeze them to use at a later date or maybe take a few out at a time through winter and leave them in the garden for wildlife along with an apple or too. 

If you still have tomato's on the plants that are green, pick them and take them indoors to ripen. If you put the tomato's in a draw next to a ripe banana the chemicals from the banana will encourage the fruit to ripen or you could use them to make a green chutney. 

September is the ideal time to plant the hardy varieties of broad beans and peas but be sure to protect them from mice with a fine grade chicken wire. You can also sow some spring cabbage, spinach, onions and garlic for early harvest in the spring.

Things to do in August

 

Things to do in August

Collecting Seeds.

Typically July and August are the hottest months of the year giving us many dry days which makes it the ideal time to collect seeds for the following year. 

Some plants to consider collecting seed from are Cornflower, Primroses, Pansies, Aquilegia, ornamental poppy and Nigella, these all have large numbers of seeds to collect and are relatively easy to grow.

When collecting seeds pick a day when it has been dry, snip the dried seed head and gently tip out the seed or break it apart over paper to catch it. Consider using some paper of contrasting colours so that the seeds are easier to see and distinguish from the dried seed pod.  This will also help you to tip the seeds into envelopes to store over winter ready to sow next spring. Don’t forget to label them and store in an airy dry place.

Lawn care.

Lawns can become damaged at this time of year due to the warm weather and the lack of rain. Most established lawns will fully recover but to assist with this you can cut the grass on a higher setting making sure you have a sharp blade on your mower.

It can also be beneficial in some cases to let short clippings fall to the ground. Grass clippings can improve the soils quality, provide vital nutrients and will also aid with water retention.

Fruit and vegetables.

Onions, Shallots and Garlic can be lifted when the tops have died back and used or stored.

Carry on feeding  your tomato plants and remove the lower leaves to allow for air circulation.

 

Other produce should be ready to harvest in August including French and Runner beans, Courgettes, Sweetcorn, carrots and Cucumbers.

Cherries and plums should be pruned as soon as harvesting is finished, usually in late July or August, when silver leaf disease and bacterial canker are less prevalent.

Fan and espalier trained apples can be be pruned in the summer to keep the shape required.

If you have too many blackberries and raspberries you can pick them now and freeze them to use at a later date.

Plants and Shrubs

Continue to prune any dead, dying or diseased stems from shrubs and roses and dead head flowering

plants for continuing blooms.

Tie climbers into supports and trellis.

Things to do in July

 

Things to do in July

We are now well into the summer and it will soon be July. There are many jobs that can be done around the garden to make sure you are getting the best from your plants and enjoying your outdoor area. Here you will find a few ideas of things that need to be done in July.

A good idea when you are working in the garden is to complete a photo diary, not only does this help you to see your progress but it can also show where your bulbs come through at different times of the year and where to avoid disturbing the soil around bulbs that are dormant when you are planting.

Take a look around your garden, where you have tall plants and climbers that have put on lots of soft stems they may be a little delicate and susceptible to wind and heavy rain. It is important  to support them by staking, tying into trellis.

Keep on top of watering too, late evening is better to prevent evaporation.

Pruning. 

Climbing Wisteria should be pruned in July, take back long stems to 5 or 6 leaves and reducing these to 3 strong buds in January or February next year.

Deadheading the plants should also be ongoing when the heads start to fade. This will encourage new growth and more flowers as well as ensuring the plant is not directing energy to spent flower heads turning to seed which in turn will result in stronger new growth. They will look much better too! 

Take Semi ripe cuttings - Ever greens, ground cover plants and climbers. 

Vegetables 

Lettuce and other salad leaves can be grown from March through to September and many varieties are easy to grow. You can even grow these in pots so you do not have to have a massive garden to enjoy home grown vegetables. Please keep in mind that the weather is warm so they will need regular watering. (late evening is better to prevent evaporation)

Radish is also a great vegetable to grow because it is almost pest free and quick to mature. 

July is also the last month to sow carrot seeds, growing carrots can be quite tricky due to the pests and the condition or depth of the soil.  They do like to have good quality soft soil that is free from stones making them ideal to be grown in deep boxes or pots. 

Flowering plants

July can be the ideal time to sow biennial flower seeds for next year, a garden favourite are Forget-me-nots with their delicate blue petals they can brighten up your garden and self seed readily. 

It is also an ideal time to sow Pansy seeds for a colourful spring display.

Pansies are also the perfect plant to put in pots which can brighten up any area and should be ready to plant out in late autumn. 

Other considerations for seed sowing in July are Foxgloves, Sweet Williams and Wall flowers. 

York Cares

By Emma Hudson

Last week was a busy week for both staff and volunteers on the Heslington East campus as they have been planting both marginal reeds and Tansy plants. 

Closely working with York Cares we ventured into the lake with our wellies on to make a corridor of 500 Norfolk reed plants which will encourage and protect wildlife within the lake. 

At the edge of the water the volunteers dug more holes and planted over 500 Tansy plants to give the endangered Tansy beetle the necessary habitat to hopefully breed and flourish here on the University of York estate.

York Cares and the many volunteers from Aviva, Benenden Health, City of York Council, Nestle and the University of York and with the support of St Nicks made the planting a major success.

The other project undertaken involved removing the plastic protection that had been placed around the many trees that make up some of the Diamond wood on Kimberlow hill. The volunteers from Benenden Health and the University removed 4,670 tree guards which will now be taken away to be recycled.

A massive thank you to everyone that celebrated and took part!

For more information about York Cares and how to get involved click on the link https://www.yorkcares.co.uk/

To learn more about the Tansy beetle click on the link https://www.ywt.org.uk/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/beetles/tansy-beetle

Pop up Labyrinth

The Grounds team have been asked to collaborate with members across the University to create a pop up Labyrinth on the lawn on outside the Harry Fairhurst building, as part of the University's mental health awareness week.

It was hoped originally to be cut out of the lawn area to create the pattern but unfortunately the grass has not grown as strongly as required so early in the season.  But not to be put off the team programmed our robotic line marker to put down the concentric rings in white pitch marker paint after which we could manually put in the ends and turns.

    

The design for the Labyrinth was provided by Peter Clark who came to campus to over see the process and to add the some of the finishing touches.  

Peter thinks that it maybe the first of it's kind to be created in this way using GPS and Robotic line marking technology!

So what is the meaning of a labyrinth? 

A Labyrinth is sometimes referred to as a maze. Strictly speaking a maze is a puzzle with numerous paths and dead ends and a Labyrinth is a single path leading to central point and then back out again. The idea is that the journey to the centre of the Labyrinth and then back out into the world, clears the mind, promotes relaxation and increases awareness, a practical way to 'unwind the mind'

The Library 'pop up' is a 5 pathway labyrinth, that is large in scale as a result of the “line” between each pathway, being much larger than needed, (because originally we were going to mow the design).

The genesis of the design is the original Shepherds Ring.

Until its destruction early last century it was located in the village of Boughton Green, Northamptonshire, having been built in medieval times on the village green. 

Like many others of that period it was known as a turf maze, despite being unicursal.  The term maze and labyrinth appeared interchangeably and still do. 

The Shepherds Ring had nine pathways of undulating turf so the flat library pop up labyrinth is an adaptation, created for the location.

Labyrinth locally

There is a small ‘turf maze’ near the village of Dalby 10 miles north of York with an interesting  history going back to the 19th C. 

https://www.worldwidewriter.co.uk/city-of-troy-dalby-turf-maze.html

An avenue of Hornbeam trees

As part of  this years winter works the grounds team have planted a 300 metre avenue of Hornbeam tree's along the roadside between Constantine college and the sports village and  interplanted  with a mixed species hedge between each one.  1500  Treebio  100% biodegradable spirals were used to protect the bare root plants from the 'bigger mammals'.

With very little to break up the landscape this area is renowned for being windy and eventually the hedge and the trees should offer some shelter along the path.

Once established the hedge will become not only a windbreak but a habitat, a feeding ground and wildlife corridor between the colleges for birds, mammals and insects.

The hedge comprises 6 native species with differing characteristics which have been chosen to offer a range of benefits to wildlife once established.
The dominant species used is Hawthorn which provides the sturdy backbone of the hedge with its flowers in May and berries into Autumn.  

The remainder of the hedge is made up of Hazel, Dog Rose, Holly, Cherry and Guelder Rose.

The mix of species also ensures a long flowering period, there will rarely be a time when something isn’t in bloom providing pollen and nectar.
Bats as well as Bumble bees will also use the linear nature of the hedge line for navigation too.

 

We are proud to announce that this year the University of York has earned Gold Award accreditation for it's work towards the conservation of Hedgehogs on campus. A huge thankyou to everyone involved.

Hedgehog Friendly Campus is a national accreditation programme funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS). Universities, FE colleges and primary schools across the UK are urged to take part, completing activities that help to bring hedgehogs back from the brink. 

Programme manager, Jo Wilkinson, says “Hedgehogs have declined by up to 50% in the UK since just the year 2000. They are now vulnerable to extinction in Britain, due to things like habitat loss, development, roads and garden hazards. Campuses, whether they’re urban or rural, can do great things to help hedgehogs and raise awareness of their plight.”

Since 2019, the programme has worked with over 150 universities, FE colleges and primary schools all working towards Bronze, Silver or Gold accreditation. Teams have been installing log piles and hedgehog houses, as well as litter picking and taking part in campus hedgehog surveys. 

Other activities include:

• Bug house building

• Pond ramps

• Hedgehog highways

• Teaching local youth groups about hedgehog decline

• Fundraising events for the BHPS

• Hedgehog first aid sessions

If you would like to take part at your campus, email info@hedgehogfriendlycampus.co.uk and follow the programme on social media @hogfriendly.

Some facts about hedgehogs:

• Since 2020, hedgehogs are listed as Vulnerable to Extinction on Britain’s Red List 

• They have declined by 50% in rural areas & 30% in urban areas since the year 2000

• Wild hedgehogs are one of 17 different species of hedgehog around the world

• The African Pygmy hedgehog (pet hedgehog) is an entirely different species 

• Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and shouldn’t eat bread – meaty pet food and fresh water is best if you want to feed wild hedgehogs

• Baby hedgehogs are called hoglets

• Strimmers and mowers can harm hedgehogs

• Hedgehogs hibernate in winter, from around November to March/April

• Contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society if you are worried about a hedgehog on 01584 890801