Page 4 - Hunstanton Town & Around - February 2014

4 Hunstanton Town & Around February 2014 Tel: 01485 533422 email: editor@townandaround.net
G D GROUNDWORKS Balanis Gardening Services
So
Landscaping
HOME & GARDEN Garden Design tel 078 12099123
Fencing Sheds Summerhouses Maintenance www.balanis.co.uk
Paths Patios & Driveways. RHS Student
louise@balanis.co.uk
Drainage & Guttering.
Property Maintenance Inside & Out.
Rubbish Clearance.
30 Years Experience in the Construction Industry.
Call Gary For No Obligation Free Quote
01485 298963 or 07917725015 Call Louise today
Gardening jobs for February

Louise

The word February comes from the Latin word Februm, which means
purification. For gardeners, February should be a time for purification

too in terms of preparation of tools, the ground and planting schemes in

L D

S E L E C I T O N S L L C A T E R I NG HO I A Y HO M E S
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E F
order to ensure fabulous displays and bumper crops. If you were un-
happy with a plants performance last year, ask yourself, is it the right
plant for the right place?, if not, have a move around. Think of it as
'spring cleaning' for the garden!.
A L L VI T I S E NGLA AND GR A D E D In the flower garden, wisteria can now be pruned, cutting back side
shoots to 2 or 3 buds. By the end of February, summer flowering clema-
tis can be pruned before active growth beings. Trim winter flowering
shrubs and climbers to encourage new growth for next year's blooms.
Lift and divide snowdrops while they are still 'in the green'. Winter flow-
ering shrubs can also be planted at this time of year, so long as the ground

D O GS & C HI L D RE EN W E L C O M E
isn't frozen or waterlogged.
On the fruit and vegetable plots, rhubarb can be forced by popping a
large pot over it, or plant new crowns. The jury is out on chitting, but if
you do, now is the time to start with the early varieties of potatoes. In
the green house, start sowing vegetable seeds such as leeks, onions and
celeriac. You can also sow annuals such as sweet peas, cosmos and pop-
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DA
H
H ND HO
CH
NIT
CL LO SE E T TO BE EA AC H A ND HO I I L D AY Y A A A A ENI E I T E I S S
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OS
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pies, they plug gaps in the summer border very effectively.
Trees and shrubs that are dormant can pruned and shaped now. It is
probably best to leave plum, cherry and apricots until summer though
as this prevents silver leaf disease.
Finally, if the ground is frozen or it's just not possible to get outside,
consult the new plant and seed catalogues. Now is the time to get or-
dering for spring deliveries of plug plants and seeds, there is so much to
choose from. It's such an exciting time, planning the new garden/plot or

R

W HE E L C HA I CA CC E S S display for 2014. Happy armchair gardening, enjoy!

Getting rid of the weeds
Ken Arnott
Years ago I recall seeing a fairly regular visit from a council employee
who toured the town with his very efficient weed killer spray. I don’t
know how many years have passed since we had such a visit but I am
struck by the steadily increasing green borders - mostly moss - to be
found along the walls of so many houses, offices and public buildings
in the town. Some streets are much worse than others and I really
wonder why the owners, occupiers or managers of such properties take
no action.
In a town which prides itself - and rightly so - on its regular success
in the Anglia in Bloom competition this is something of a blot on the
landscape. However, no sign of the Triffids yet, thank goodness!