This Month in Your Garden - January

You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind. Old Irish proverb

When we hoped we would put the tribulations of 2020 behind us here we are in a new year of restriction. On the other hand, many have got closer to their gardens and nature in these strange times. 

The January forecast says mild and wet followed by a colder February so rather than just thinking about what we might do in the garden there’s plenty we can get on with as the days lengthen and things start growing. 

The Lawncare Guide - January

If the grass is greener on the other side it’s probably getting better care. Earl Nightingale     

Walking on the lawn when it is frosty will damage the grass. If you walk on it after rain and areas are squelchy underfoot there’s a good chance the lawn needs spiking to alleviate soggy areas which encourage moss and thatch. 

You can do this as soon as the ground dries out a bit using a hollow-tine aerator to remove plugs of soil. It can be the type you push, a self-propelled or an attachment for a garden tractor. 

Lawn Care: Questions & Answers

 Q. Some areas of our lawn are yellow and, looking closely, there are patches of red and black. What causes this?

The Vegetable Plot - January

 A little gem of propagation 

It is not too early to be thinking about the vegetable plot. But while your first sowings will be indoors you can get on and prepare an area for planting later. It’s handy to cover the soil with cloches or thick polythene, weighted down. This will keep the bed dry and warmer while making it easier to work when you’re ready and weather permits. 

The Big Glut Recipe - January

 Game Pie

By Bryn Williams for Delicious Magazine

Ingredients

• 600g mixed pheasant meat, venison meat and pigeon meat, diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 celery sticks, chopped
• 300ml red wine
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 fresh thyme sprig
• 200-300ml chicken stock, hot

For the pastry

• 250g unsalted butter
• 400g plain flour, plus extra to dust
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 large free-range egg yolk
• Milk, for brushing