After the anti-climax of Christmas and the New Year festivities behind us there’s no better time than on a crisp, cold blue sky January day to get out into the garden to make sure everything is proceeding well for the spring.

• Make sure you check any stored bulbs and veggies you may have in greenhouses or cold frames
• Take your Christmas tree to a local recycling centre or even better recycle it yourself as garden mulch for use on the garden at a later date.
• Provide the birds with food and some unfrozen water

Plant of the Month

Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’

One of several Cornus which are grown for their colourful stems. Brightens up any border on a bleak January day, where the sun can highlight their lovely winter colour. They looked great planted in amongst grasses for example Pennisetum Hameln. To maximise the effect the coloured stems give you they need to be cut back almost to ground level in March/April each year, otherwise they will gradually lose their vibrant colour as they age.