Transition Stourbridge

Traditionally, January is a time to plan ahead, with seeds and plants to order. It is also an ideal time to tidy up the garden but it is a balancing act between tidying up generally to discourage pests but leaving enough protection in the form of old stems and plant debris to encourage a wide range of insects and other wildlife some of which will be beneficial and others less desirable. These can all form part of the valuable food chain especially for our birds. Birds are now suffering from a shortage of berries and seeds, the latter can be easily supplemented by purchasing good quality bird food.

It is time to purchase seed potatoes, choosing cultivars carefully for cropping season. Unpack immediately and set up the tubers on end in boxes or egg trays (without compost) in a frost-free place at around 5-7°C (41-45°F). Some light is necessary, but restrict the humidity and keep well ventilated. This should produce sturdy sprouts that will provide a longer growing season and a heavier yield. Planting in the garden begins in mid to late March depending on conditions, with the early varieties going in first and when the shoots are around 5cm (2”) long. For an early home grown crop in May or early June, why not use a potato planter in a frost-free greenhouse?

This January sees the new season’s hellebores coming into flower early this year. Helleborus x hybridus Ashwood Garden Hybrids can now have their old foliage removed as the new flower stems elongate. Try and find room for a few more of these wonderful winter-flowering plants as there have been many recent new developments in our breeding programme and there really are some amazing colours and forms now available. Remove faded flower stems, if seed is not required.