Lucy explains how to make the most of the next few weeks
1. In the depths of winter, pigeons flock together and in these numbers they can make quick work of shredding brassica crops. Make sure your netting is securely in place, to thwart them.
2. Cold, dark evenings offer the perfect opportunity to plan for spring. Order your veg seeds now, taking advantage of any gardening club promotions such as discounts on bulk orders.
3. If aphids heavily infested your fruit trees in 2023, put a stop to any invasion plans for 2024. Douse plants with an organic winter wash now, to help destroy the overwintering aphid eggs.
4. Peach leaf curl can be a destructive fungus on peach and nectarine trees. To prevent it keep stems dry. Either cloak larger plants in clear polythene or move dwarf potted trees under cover.
5. Are you planning more vegetable beds? Raised beds can be great for plots at risk of flooding, or on heavy clay, but on sandy soils simply edge your beds rather than raising them up.
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