Blog: Why gardening around Christmas can be a lifesaver
In the mad whirl around Christmas, some midwinter gardening around the equinox can be a real stressbuster and ground you. This year, I’ve been guilty of neglecting my garden, for various reasons. I don’t even feel guilty about it – it happens. Life gets in the way, and you must prioritise people and your health.
In cutting jobs down to the bare bone, I have let the side down. For instance, I dug out two new Musa basjoo I bought in Cornwall this year and some Canna I grew from seed – the day before it snowed in November! I dumped their corpses in a trug and dumped them in the conservatory. It was only today that I realised I needed to do something with them. Luckily, they were still OK, so I cut them back and potted them up – job done.
Midwinter gardening is very forgiving
While doing this, I spotted a shameful oversight – tulips that I bought to plant LAST YEAR. Luckily, they were all still sound. I also unearthed some trial daffodil Rainbow Butterflies from Suttons, so got them in pots. True, the daffodils are a bit late but they’ll catch up – that’s the beauty of midwinter gardening.
Sitting there in the conservatory, with the sun on my back, all thoughts of everything that is wrong about the festive season melted away. When finished, I had an immense sense of satisfaction, got some exercise and fresh air. All of these things help to lift the mood at the darkest time of the year, a time so many find difficult.
Moving winter pots into place
I have a lot of pots outdoors that I swap over according to the season. You can read more about them here, but the stars of the show are Viburnum bodnantense x Dawn and Sarccocca (sweet box). These are both coming into bloom and have a lovely fragrance. They’re underplanted with snowdrops and Iris siberica Alida.
My final job before Christmas is pruning the climbing rose Claire Austin. She flowers so late that I like to leave it until the last minute! However, branches are trailing across the path leading to the back door. I don’t want my festive guests to be attacked by an unruly rose.
Midwinter gardening – the Boxing Day massacre
By far the best day for midwinter gardening for me is Boxing Day. It’s 11 years ago on this day that I started redesigning my garden with a spade, sledgehammer and the pent-up frustrations of Christmas. I’ll virtually have the day to myself after a full-on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so some well-earned pottering will be in order.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – may gardening be your saviour!
