Hibernating in a hive of activity

With the garden completely slowing down and the plants going into hibernation, it seems like the humans at Towerwater have had to increase their activity levels.

With a more planned and focused approach to the pruning of the herbaceous borders, orchard, rosarium, vines and herbs, we could clean the garden the way we prefer.

The orchard

All the fruit trees were pruned to bear lower for easy picking. The rosarium was completely restored and deeper mulch applied. All the perennial herbs were pruned smaller and remaining autumn leaves removed from all beds and plants. I moved the Clivias to a shadier spot in the garden where they will hopefully thrive.

All the hydrangeas are likewise pruned and ready for spring. The vegetable beds are mostly empty. This is the legacy of accommodating water restrictions in my planning of the winter garden. The elderflower tree was sawed down to allow for more sun on the quinces and herbs. However, in true Elderflower style, it has already pushed up a thicket of new shoots. I decided to cultivate it as an Elderflower shrub to make it easier to reach and pick the flowers.

It is an exciting time in the garden. Winter presents the opportunity to correct everything that did not work well in the previous seasons. The garden is renewed and there is an excitement to see what will transpire in spring. Winter allows a gardener to reflect, dream, correct and to look forward to a better year.

The vegetable garden still produces beets and carrots for meals and the peas are in full flower. There are still enough herbs, rocket and spring onions to add flavour to stews and salads. The time will come when I will have to clean the herb beds to prepare for summer sowing and planting.

I am looking forward to spring. I plan a completely fresh herb and vegetable garden for summer. With better prospects of water going into the growing season, I feel more confident about planting a larger variety of vegetables and herbs.

After an intense week of activity in the garden, we can slow down again and join the plants in their season of rest.