His Garden for December 2006

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

This month I have little to do in the garden, apart from keeping it tidy.

Owing to shortage of space, the peas that were to be sown last month, will be sown in January 007.

Parsnips are ready to start harvesting, I will not harvest the crop all at the same time, I have found that they come to no harm left in the ground, and use as required. If the weather is frosty, to cover the crop with straw for protection may be an advantage.

A dressing of salt will be applied to the asparagus bed. Two or three handfuls to the square yard, to help to deter weed growth.

Very early this month, I will sow early peas in pots, two per pot. The pots placed on the windowsill in the living room, until the seeds germinate, then in the grow house. The grow-house closed for three weeks, then open two or the hours at midday, for a week so. Then left open all day, and closed at night. I expect to leave the grow house open day and night from some time in January. Depending upon weather.

I am now harvesting Leeks, Parsnips and Brussels Sprouts.

The Sprout tops will not be wasted. The tops will be cut off, and cooked as cabbage.

Broad beans sown 30 October, are now up. Taking 22 days to break through.

I mentioned pruning Roses a month or so ago. However, some Roses and shrubs have continued to flower I will complete the pruning, as soon as the species have finished flowering. Provided the weather is not frosty.

A climbing Rose has been planted.

The method followed when planting the above.

A hole approximately a foot deep was dug out, sufficiently wide enough to spread the roots out evenly, a forkful of well-rotted farmyard manure was forked into the bottom, and covered with soil, then a handful of bone-meal forked in. The Rose then placed in the center, making sure that the base of the stems, will be above the surface of the bed, when the job is completed. As the backfilling is continued, I gently lift the Rose up and down slightly, to allow the soil to settle evenly round the roots, before making the Rose firm. To finish the job, a couple of handfuls of bone meal, will be applied. Not allowing it to come in to contact with the stems. Leveling the bed round the Rose, with the remaining soil.

Grapes. Please see December 005 regarding the pruning of grapes.

Pruning Apples and Pears. Please see December 005.

I would sort through stored bulbs, throwing out diseased, and soft specimens.