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The winter brings many tasks to take care of to ensure gardens look their best come spring. Garden expert Alan Titchmarsh advises about making the best of winter plants indoors
Green-fingered guru Alan Titchmarsh has urged gardeners to complete three tasks urgently.
His winter gardening musts are a part of a weekly to-do list which must be done this month and in the run-up to the festive season. The winter brings many tasks to take care of to ensure gardens look their best come spring. And Alan says budded stems need to be cut and winter blooms capitalised as the nights continue to get darker and colder. He says: “Cut well-budded stems of witch hazel, winter jasmine and other winter-flowering shrubs a few days before you want to use them in arrangements.”
Among his other top tips involves work on indoor plants ahead of the arrival of guests at Christmas time. He suggests cleaning up plant leaves and buying some appropriate seasonal plants, adding:” Rearrange indoor plants after freshening up the foliage, and clean or replace ageing pot covers. Buy seasonal pot plants for the run-up to Christmas.”
A final piece of advice involves sourcing fresh herbs for your Christmas larder which can beused to bring fresh flavour to all your festive meals. Alan suggested people should stock up on pots of fresh herbs from supermarkets if you haven’t grown your own from seed.”
His festive gardening advice means people’s homes and indoor plants will be looking at their best when guests and families come round to celebrate the magical time of year. Other plants are a well known fixture in homes at this time of year and add a splash of colour to your home while hinting at Christmases past.
The Mirror recently reported that the poinsettia houseplant – second only to the Christmas tree in festive popularity – is a perfect addition to your holiday decor with its vibrant red and green hues. And it’s possible to keep your poinsettias alive and flourishing even after the holiday season has ended. Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal, has shared his top tips with on how to “keep poinsettias thriving post Christmas”.
He advised: “By following these care tips, your poinsettias can not only survive but thrive well beyond the Christmas season.” This involves six key care steps and a reblooming tip for October.
Poinsettias “need bright, indirect sunlight”, so they should be placed near a sunny window where they’ll get plenty of light, but direct sunlight that could “scorch the leaves” should be avoided. A window that exposes the plant to morning or evening light only is ideal for keeping your poinsettia happy.
The colour intensity of the bracts depends on the amount of light the plant receives – less light results in a lighter colour, while more light leads to a darker hue. These plants prefer a steady temperature of 18 to 21 degrees during the day and slightly cooler at night. Gene warned: “Avoid placing them near drafts, vents, or radiators, as fluctuating temperatures can cause stress.”
