The benefits of an untidy garden, decomposition and taking cuttings
This week I contemplate decomposition, discuss the benefits of leaving my garden in an 'untidy' state, and take a few soft fruit cuttings
Its been another dismal week with just a glimmer of sunshine on a few days. There was a further 29mm of rain, as if we needed any more and temperatures were unseasonally mild, at around 10-12 oC. All this creates pretty good conditions for things rotting in the ground, so I’m thinking of my bulbs and dahlias – all mulched for winter but right now sitting in saturated ground. I hope they survive.
I’ve also got some bare-rooted foxtail lilies to plant but I have put off doing that until we get some dry weather, whenever thast might be.
Don’t be tempted to do too much tidying up
I don’t do much tidying at this time of year as I think its more important to have plenty of microhabitats for insects, spiders and the like. Old seed heads and dead stalks are all perfect for wildlife.
The photo above is not from my garden but a border in the Oxford Botanic Garden taken last winter. On a crisp day in January the border was busy with many birds and was as good as any bird feeder.
But the downside i…
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