In typical Garden Gate fashion, around fifty of our members, volunteers and staff enjoyed a fabulous Christmas lunch with all the trimmings in the familiar surroundings of our large polytunnel. Rounded off by Jeff’s festive disco and a boogie to the strains of Prince and Stevie Wonder, it did a great job of getting everyone into the party spirit. A huge thanks to everyone who made it possible, along with all our other events and activities throughout the past year. As we step into a new year, we’d all like to wish everyone connected with the garden and all our supporters a happy, healthy, and rewarding year ahead.
January may feel like a quiet month in the garden, but for us it’s anything but idle. With many plants resting, we’ll be focusing on the maintenance tasks that set the stage for a vibrant spring ahead. Pruning dormant fruit trees, such as the apples and pears around our herb garden, will be a top priority, helping to shape healthy trees and maximise fruit production. Clearing away debris, such as fallen leaves, will prevent pests and diseases from overwintering, while a protective layer of mulch will safeguard plant roots and enrich the soil for the growing season ahead.
It’s an ideal month to assess and plan improvements. With foliage stripped back, our pathways, raised beds, composting areas, and communal spaces become more visible. It’s much easier to see opportunities to enhance planting, or add additional seating or pathways to make the garden more inviting and accessible. By identifying these needs now, we can make the changes as soon as the weather permits.
It’s also time to decide which crops to grow and ensure our tools are cleaned, sharpened, and ready for action. Indoors, we can begin sowing hardy vegetables like onions, leeks, and early lettuces in trays, which will later be transferred to our outdoor beds. If the ground isn’t frozen, it’s a great time to plant bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses. If it’s mild, early crops like garlic and broad beans can go directly into the soil.
Winter-flowering plants, such as hellebores, hazel, and winter jasmine, should be adding the first splashes of colour and reminding us of the resilience of nature. Whilst ornamental grasses and seed heads left standing from autumn, provide winter charm as they catch the frost and morning light. They also provide much-needed nourishment for hungry birds when other food sources are scarce, offer shelter to insects and help plants reseed naturally.
So, happy 2025! Together, we look forward to making this another year of growth, collaboration, and flourishing. We hope you can join us for our seasonal Open Days, and remember we’re open 10 am to 3 pm weekdays if you’d like to visit.
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