HOME EDITION
JANUARY
GARDEN GROW? How does your Anna Taylor, owner of Anna’s Flower Farm in Audley End, shares what’s going on in the garden this month T here is much to enjoy of bright blue skies on a crisp January day. That includes those misty cold ones where fog lingers over
fallen beds of grasses, last year’s flower heads and cobwebs woven between uptight stems and shrubs almost holding, planting up together. It is a truly beautiful time of the year, though the gardener’s hand offers little benefit this month. Grass and borders are best left untrodden since footsteps will damage frosty lawns or compact wet soils. On a mild day, pruning apple trees is, however, a warming and useful job – as is working on a wisteria and grapevine. With no leaves, the frameworks can be seen clearly. Don’t go too hard on an apple, but cut back to two fruiting buds on a mature tree. Hard pruning in winter will stimulate those lengthy straight water shoots that don’t benefit the shape or fruiting. For wisterias and grapevines, cut back side shoots and stems to a strong structure. Cut out congested stems. I love the shapes of deciduous climbers like these in winter. While you are out, plant any forgotten bulbs. Consider pots temporarily in beds too. Rather than waiting for leaves to yellow, they can be removed immediately after flowering and summer annuals planted in their place. The rest of the month is a good time to rest, much like the garden, anchor and strengthen roots by poring over photos, seed catalogues and plans.
© ANNA TAYLOR
DARLING BUDS Although growing in January can be tough going, winter pruning is actually easier
As the late Christopher Lloyd of Great Dixter said about choosing annuals, ‘[the] seed catalogues make us plan on a smaller scale. Wouldn’t it be nice to grow such and such again next year?’. This is then quickly followed by, ‘Where shall we plant it – and what will go well with it? Planning has many aspects and ramifications’. Now, I heartily recommend having a go at growing anything that takes your fancy, but I try to discipline myself to just a couple of newbies – in devotion to my planting plan and vision. I’ve often grown annuals on the whim of a well-taken photo but had little use for it. Sometimes, these plants ensure their place by being exceptional bedfellows for herbaceous borders when wishing to grow a handful of plants each year. But, they are rarely worth their place on the flower farm where each must be worthy of its spot – be it long-lasting in the vase, heavenly scented or well-shaped. Growing for pleasure or profit are very different things indeed. The annuals I grow are experiments or tried and tested
‘essentials’ – all luxuries and appreciated for their individual value. When flicking through the glorious catalogues (Chiltern, Special Plants and Sarah Raven are some of the most coveted), think about your own space. How much room is there for planting? Sketch out a plan if you can. What is already there? What conditions do you have? Do you want plants to complement the same growing season in interest or provide it at another time? What are you growing for? To cut or look good at a particular time of the year? All these questions ultimately help whittle down lists and create assured schemes to be proud of. And a few well spent January afternoons, ideally near a wood burner. Anna grows cut flowers on Anna’s Flower Farm, designing gardens and planting schemes from the studio in the centre of the plots. You can attend courses in-person and online, including this month’s Winter Planning Course.
82 JANUARY 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
Powered by FlippingBook