Ho, Ho, Ho, Gardening

What we will need after Christmas is a bit of gentle exercise, nothing too strenuous, just enough to help balance the rich food and good living that has gone before.

You are supposed to enjoy your gardening and far be it for me to put you off, so wrap up well and tackle some of these pleasant, wee jobs.

It is at this time that the coloured bark of trees and shrubs should look its best yet it is frequently hidden under a layer of grime or algae.

A light scrub with warm water and a piece of hessian will remove the dirt, leaving the bark shiny and bright. It is particularly effective with birch (betula) and the mahogany cherry (prunus).

Mature eucalyptus bark is a patchwork of cream, grey, fawn and green. It is worth washing by hand but if there is a portable car washer available you will find there is a lot more satisfaction cleaning the trunk of a eucalyptus than the trunk of a car.

Pollarded yellow or orange barked willow and the red stemmed dogwood are too thin to scrub. Stroking the branches with a wet sponge will clean them up and leave them shining in the winter sun. If it snows the display will be enhanced.

It is the time for “the holly and the ivy”. You are probably sick of the sight of the former and this is a good time to dispose of unwanted ivy.

The easiest way to remove it from trees is to cut all the stems through, low down on the trunk.Thick stems will have to be sawn otherwise use secateurs. In a few months it will loosen its grip and blow or fall of, leaving the tree clean.

Strawberry plants are totally neglected at this time of the year.The mounds of dead foliage make great hiding places for slugs and snails.Take the hedge clippers and clip the plants over. Avoid cutting close to the crown. Clear away the debris and the birds will soon find your enemies.

Last job. Take the old leaves to the compost heap but remember to replace the waterproof lid to keep the heap dry and warm. Back indoors, put the feet up and there should now be room for a helping of pudding.

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