Through the seasons
Winter watering for outdoor containers
Rainy weather does not guarantee a moist root ball. Check shelter, foliage and drainage before deciding whether an outdoor pot needs water in winter.
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PAGES FROM THE NOTEBOOK
Through the seasons
Work with the weather and the growing year. Practical notes for the moments when conditions change.
Pick a page. Stay a while.
START HERE / NOTE 141
A quieter season at the potting bench
As the growing season slows, make the potting bench a place for sorting, observing and preparing rather than another list of urgent jobs.
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Through the seasons
Frost forecasts and a small protection kit
A small, ready-to-use protection kit is more useful than a hurried search for covers after a cold night has already arrived.
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Through the seasons
Bringing tender plants indoors in stages
Moving indoors changes light, temperature and airflow at once. A staged move helps you inspect plants and choose a position they can actually use.
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Through the seasons
Spring clean-up without rushing the border
Spring tidying works best as a sequence of small decisions. Find new shoots, sleeping plants and useful standing stems before cutting the whole border back.
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Through the seasons
Watching for growth before spring feeding
A date on the calendar cannot tell you that a plant is ready for more nutrients. Look for active growth and check what is already in the pot.
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Through the seasons
Summer heat: protect roots as well as leaves
During hot weather, the container and its position matter as much as the leaves. Plan for root temperature, water access and practical shade before the peak heat.
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Through the seasons
After heavy rain: a container check
A heavy shower can leave one pot saturated and another dry inside. A short drainage check helps you see what the rain actually changed.
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Through the seasons
After a windy night in the garden
After strong wind, assess supports, containers and roots before trying to straighten every stem. A careful first look prevents a small problem from becoming a larger one.
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Through the seasons
Autumn bulbs planted around existing roots
Adding spring bulbs to an established border takes a little mapping. Preserve existing roots and leave enough information to find the new bulbs next year.
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Through the seasons
Keeping a winter greenhouse ventilated
A closed greenhouse can stay damp long after the air outside has changed. Balance protection from cold with opportunities for fresh air and regular inspection.
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Through the seasons
Snow on branches: when to leave it alone
Snow can bend a plant without permanently damaging it. Consider the weight, the temperature and your own access before trying to help a branch.
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Through the seasons
Planning bloom succession on paper
A bloom calendar is most useful when it records your own garden. Map the quieter intervals before adding more plants to an already busy season.
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Through the seasons
The first spring inspection of stored tubers
A stored dahlia clump needs a careful inspection before spring growth begins. Labels, firm tissue and an intact connection to the crown matter more than size alone.
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Through the seasons
Planting bare-root roses while dormant
Bare-root roses arrive without the familiar pot to guide you. Prepare the site, protect the roots and follow planting advice suited to your climate and rose.
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Through the seasons
Summer pruning is not winter pruning
The season of a pruning cut changes its purpose and effect. Identify the plant, its flowering habit and the result you want before borrowing a winter routine.
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Through the seasons
Moving a perennial at a suitable time
Moving a perennial is easier when its new home is ready first. Choose a suitable season, preserve useful roots and plan the aftercare before lifting.
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Through the seasons
Overwintering pelargoniums with limited space
A collection of summer pelargoniums can quickly exceed the available winter shelf. Choose healthy plants and a workable method before cold weather forces the decision.
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Through the seasons
What to leave standing until spring
An autumn border does not need one uniform treatment. Leave useful structure where it is sound, and clear only the material that has a good reason to go.
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Through the seasons
A year-end review of the plants that stayed
A useful annual review records the plants that fitted your life, not just the ones that looked best in a photograph. Keep it small enough to influence next year.
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