A s well as choosing new plants from seed cata- logues this also presents an ideal time to look at our gar - den’s design. The garden is at its emptiest at this time of year, the lawns at their dampest muddi- est times and the beds at their most stark. This allows us to really examine the shapes and paths that carve up our space and decide if they are really working for us. If you can see worn paths on lawns where regular journey’s are made to cross it consider if new paths should be put in following these “desire lines”. What shape is the garden and what shape does it appear to be. A long thin garden can be visually widened by putting beds in that run across the space and D If you didn’t get round to drawing up a good growing plan for the year ahead now is the time. With seed catalogues bouncing through the letterbox, or flash - ing into our inboxes, this time of year brings great excitement for the gardener and an op- portunity to check seed stocks and order fresh new ones. New vegetable varieties often come to light providing opportunities to try growing something new, whilst we can also look back on the previous year and choose what to grow and not to grow during this year. A good plan will allow you to keep your beds in full productivity, so try to work out how long a vegetable will take to grow to harvest, then choose another crop to plant as soon as it is finished. If you have the space, you can start to bring like-wise a shorter, wider garden can be visually lengthened by growing beds that draw the eye from the top to the bottom. If you are lucky enough to have a large garden, you can divide up the spaces into rooms or take people on a winding journey us - ing paths and planting to reveal new features throughout the space. Try to plan for where you might like to sit - in the sun or in the shade? What would you like to be looking at and do you your - self want privacy or a more so - ciable space. The winter months are ideal for this type of planning. Plants are mostly dormant and easier to move, and new beds can be designed and shaped ready for Spring planting. News&Views 237 | January-February 2021 on the next crop in modules or pots so that they are ready to plant as soon as you harvest the first crop. Whilst snuggling indoors with the catalogues is appealing on colder, wetter days, don’t forget to attend your patch. If you still have over-wintering vegetables growing, make sure they have ad - equate protection from harsher winds and frosts. Keep harvesting from the plants when you can and tidy up any rotting leaves or de - caying vegetables to keep on top of disease and mould. Towards the end of January and during February the first indoor sowings of cabbages, cauliflow - ers and salad crops can be made for harvesting in early summer. If you can’t provide them with the protection of a greenhouse or tunnel, hold off sowing for a little while longer. 44 45 With the busy Christmas period over and the days gradually get- ting longer our minds can be allowed to venture out towards the year’s plans for the garden. Just as with the vegetable garden, this time of year presents the ideal time to plan for the months ahead. January/February in the vegetable garden January/February in the flower garden And finally What’s in your square? Tip! Some herbaceous plants (eg perennial poppies, phlox, drumstick prim - ula), are ideal for taking root cuttings from whilst they are dormant and it is yet another great way to get more plants for free. Choose large, well es - tablished plants and lift from the ground. Choose a few pencil thick roots and remove them from near the base. Then trim these into finger-length (5-10cm ’s is ideal) piec- es. The end’s that grew nearest the base are the bottom ends and should be trimmed with a slant - ed cut. The other end will be sticking out of the pot and should have a level horizontal cut. Pot these root cuttings up so that the bottoms are just buried in the compost and put a thin layer of grit/perlite over the top. You can put several in each pot but make sure they are at least 10cm’s apart. Water lightly and pop them in the cold- frame, then wait to be rewarded later in the Spring. Cae Rhug Holistic Farm is a local Social Enterprise bringing wellbeing through nature, horticulture and permaculture. (More details, see advert on page 19 ) GARDENER’S DIARY Taking Root? Rachel and Simon Farr from Cae Rhug Holistic Farm guide us gently through the seasons in our gardens with tips for attracting wildlife, growing food and making the most of the flowers in our garden... If you have been dipping into vegetable growing with a square foot garden in 2020 use this time to plan the whole year for your tiny plot. Just like with a larger veg patch you aim to keep your mini-plot in full produc - tion by making sure you have something to grow on as soon as you harvest. Remember you can always add another square if you have room! If you have empty beds covered over ready for growing later in the year, peel back any coverings on dry days and allow the birds in to look for pests and reduce the numbers of slugs and snails. Like- wise on mild days peel back fleece protection on crops to allow greater air movement and reduce fungal spores. However make sure they are covered back over before the Pigeons find them!