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Thompson & Morgan: Andrew Tokely's Weekly Gardening Blog

Listen to Andrew on BBC Radio Suffolk on Saturdays between 12.00 and 2.00pm.

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Although December is just around the corner, it doesn't mean we have time to relax. I still have a few important jobs to undertake in between helping with the Christmas shopping.

Over the summer the attractive climbing plant Wisteria has put on a lot of growth, so now is the time to tie in the new shoots to build up the framework of branches. Prune back each side shoot so it is 2-3 buds long. Then cut out any unwanted straggly growth back to the main stems. Next summer after flowering, prune back any long whippy growth to 15cm (6in) of the main framework. It is important that both of these pruning techniques are repeated at the correct time each year, then your plants should reward you with those attractive long racemes of blue flowers each year. Plants will also benefit from a winter mulch of old compost or well rotted manure placed around the base of the plants.

sedum-cutback

Sedum Before and After Cutting Back

Some of my later flowering perennials such as Sedum are now looking past their best in the borders. To help tidy up the border I pruned them down to the ground so the new shoots at the base are exposed and can have some more light to grow throughout the winter before bursting back into growth next spring.

December has arrived and this is the ideal month for pruning blackcurrants. Now that all the leaves have fallen off the plants it makes it easier to see what you are doing. When pruning blackcurrants you should cut out as much old wood as possible to leave just young growth, that is less than 3 years old. The younger shoots will grow more vigorously and will produce more fruit. The older wood is easily recognised because it is much darker in colour than the younger shoots and often the bark is a lot rougher. Always try to prune down to a healthy new bud as close to the base of the plant as you can as this will help encourage new shoots to grow from the base. Once pruned, give plants generous mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost. If your plants are very old and have produced a very poor crop this year it may be time to dig these up and buy some new certified virus-free stock from T&M's Fruit Collection to replace them and replant your fruit garden.

pruning-eleagnus

Pruning Elaeagnus

Over the last few weeks I have been gradually pruning back the shrubs in my borders. I have a few more to tackle this weekend including a large Elaeagnus. I will need a pair of steps and some sharp secateurs to prune this large shrub.

It was a bit of a shock last Sunday to see the snow and was a good reminder that before the weather gets too bad I must make time to check and insulate the outside taps. These should be turned off if possible and drained to prevent them from freezing. If this is not possible then lag the taps and pipes with foam, straw or sacking to prevent them from freezing when the weather gets more severe. At the same time it is a good idea to lag the taps on your water butts as these can sometimes crack if frozen. If this happens all that saved water will be lost.

winter-violas

Winter Violas

Last month I planted my winter flowering pansies and violas, which are looking good and are producing plenty of flowers. They are also producing some seedpods as the flowers finish so it is important to deadhead them regularly. Deadheading will also encourage more flowers to appear.

Most of the leaves on the trees in my garden have now fallen, so I will rake these up as soon as I can so they don't block out air and light from plants in borders or the lawn. I like to store raked up leaves in black polythene bags until next year, as this will make some superb leaf mould for adding to the borders as a soil conditioner or mulch.

mahonia-japonica

My Mahonia japonica

Finally this week I have been really impressed by the display my Mahonia japonica is putting on in the border and my plants have some large racemes of yellow blooms. At this time of year it is worth taking stock of what colour there is still in the garden, either as flowers or foliage and if you think there is an area your garden lacking colour, now is a good time to do some planting.


Listen to Andrew on BBC Radio Suffolk on Saturdays between 12.00 and 2.00pm.