Gardening seasons start and finish at different times each year! We do not intend to get involved in arguments about which month is in which season!
So, until we set up office at various places around the world, I ask you to treat this guide as a general idea as to what you should - or should not be doing - in your garden this month! The South of the UK is different to the North - (climatically) and our ever-increasing audience from the USA are well aware of the differences between states, and as such are ever-forgiving of some of what I write!
Wherever you are, treat 'this month in the garden' as a general guide and adjust by a month or so to where you live. The pages will feature an image slider which will be topical of what is probably in flower for that particular month. That should give a better idea of what the 'Gardening Month' is - as distinct to what the calendar says!
Hamamelis Mollis
January will normally be a
non-productive month as far as
working outside in the garden is
concerned. However, plants start
to wake up and one of the first
indications of things to come is
down at ground level where
several of the bulbs - notable
narcissus - will be searching
for daylight.
Plants that Flower in January
Viburnum Eve Price
Viburnum Eve Price will among
several winter flowering shrubs tentatively making an appearance. It
will be too early in the year for anything other than the essential work
for this month, but a good month for taking stock of things that need to
be done once the weather conditions are right.
Plants that Flower in February
Helleborus Orientalis
Helleborus orientalis - the oriental hellebore will start flowering in earnest this month and need to be
included for any future planting plans - unless of course you already
have them.
Undoubtedly there will be a few warm days - ever the optimist - but do
not be tempted to do much other than maybe a bit of hardy plant division
or planting if the conditions are right.
Plants that Flower in March
Magnolia liliflora Nigra
Cut back all heathers that have finished flowering. Dead-head spring flowering bulbs when they have finished flowering, but do not cut down the leaves.
Plants that Flower in April
Clematis Montana Rubra
If last month was busy then this month should be even busier. May is usually the month when plants catch up from a slow, cold start and respond quickly to milder conditions. So, get sowing and planting. However, don't forget that late May frost can be the scourge of all gardeners.
Plants that Flower in May
Oriental Poppy
June of course it follows May on the calendar, but in real gardening terms we will all be doing gardening jobs this month that we should have done in May - April even! June seems to be settling into early summer at last, but many things is the garden will need to catch up with it after one of the coldest spring in memory.
Plants that Flower in June
Bedding Plants
In a normal gardening calendar year, the month of July starts to ease off as far as the flurry of Spring activity is concerned. Most hardy garden shrubs and perennials have finished growing their first flush of growth and are quite happy to slow things down a little and allow the first growth to harden and mature a little.
Plants that Flower in July
Bedding Plants
Normally a hot month - loads of plants die when you take a holiday - or simply take it easy. You can normally get decent sized bedding plant replacements at this time of year - at a reasonable price..
Plants that Flower in August
Bedding Plants
September in the garden usually brings with it a mixture of feelings. The Summer is all but done, but of course can still bless us with a few hot days. It is also a good time to assess what has been done this year to good advantage in the garden, and what if anything needs to be thought about a new for next year!
Plants that Flower in September
Sorbus Berries
Just When you thought that all was done in the garden for this year - out comes the sun, and there's loads to do again. Even if the sun doesn't shine, there is still much to do! Much of what you do in the October Garden has an affect upon the garden's wellbeing next year.
Plants that Flower in October
Pennisetum
November is not always the most inviting of months to do garden work. But, some jobs can and should be done. Give it a try - you might be pleasantly surprised!
Plants that Flower in November
Frosted Geranium
Plant roses, trees, shrubs, and hedging if weather permits. Complete cane fruit, gooseberries and currant planting.
Tidy up beds and borders. Remove fallen leaves - especially if fungal diseases were present this year
Plants that Flower in December
