Winter Gardening

February is the month where my gardening activities are focused on spring. The cold hardy annuals that were sown back in early August require “potting up” so they have more space to spread their roots. Trimming of Hydrangeas and roses has been taking place for about 4 weeks now and I am beginning to feel the pressure to finish. Sowing of a select few annuals has begun, taking extra care that they are kept warm.

I have been in the process of adding more roses and perennials to my cottage garden beds as well as garden structures over the past year, so rose ordering has begun in earnest. The kitchen table littered with catalogues, diagrams, seed packets and notes.

Years ago I ordered several vintage rambling and climbing roses from Vintage Garden Roses, I was saddened by their necessary closure. I am grateful to have some of their roses gracing my arbors and fences, most of them dating from the mid 1800’s. February/March is when I trim and train them to grow horizontally for prolific blooms. This is a task I find I can lose my thoughts in. Focusing on the branches, what needs to removed, where to trim and how to lay and tie them along their support.

I am adding additional roses in lavender, apricot/orange and yellow to the existing pinks. Lavender, Gaura, Erigeron and Verbascum will be planted as perennial companions with many annuals tucked in for the pollinators, color and interesting seasonal change.

The garden needs much attention at this time of year to ensure the spring and summer bounty is plentiful; flowers, fruits and vegetables alike.

Before we know it the soil will have warmed and the cold hardy annuals will be planted out. It is then that we, as gardeners begin to see the culmination of our winters work.

Thank you for stopping by.

Wishing you the best of everything.

x Susan