What to Plan in January!
Get ahead now for Summer Entertaining
If an big event is looming, or you just want to maximise your entertaining this year, here are some top tips to get you in the mood
In January...
1. Improve your soil
There is little to do in the garden, but making a super boost start to the nutrition and condition of your dormant plants by investing in their health now. Applying a thick layer of organic matter is hugely beneficial to soil health for bulking up sandy soils so that it holds more moisture in summer or loosening the heaviness of clay and improve the structure of the soil. The best all rounder is well-rotted horse manure which can be bought in bags or obtained from your local stable yard; spent mushroom compost is a good soil improver but difficult to get hold of; An excellent recycled medium made from household garden waste is Progrow, which can be bought in bulk or bags from your local re-cycling centre or online Progrow.co.uk; You can even use your own recycled garden waste: leaf mould from your compost heap can be applied a 3-4" (7.5-10cm) layer just on top of the soil. It seems a lot, but this will all be absorbed over the months with earth worms doing all the work by pulling it down into their soil channels. The resulting oomph given to existing and new plants is amazing and all your work will be paid off when they bloom even bigger and better. More ecological too as it will hold in moisture so less watering in dry weather.
2 Planting up or refresh a new border
The soil will have started to warm in March and still have plenty of moisture to get things moving quickly. Plenty of books and catalogues will provide advise, but If you're stuck for ideas, we can propose planting suggestions according to site, soil aspect and other considerations. Just pop an email over (jennasamengoturner@me.com) and you'll have a response and a list of questions to get a background picture of your space. Otherwise you could commission us to do a full planting plan like this one below. We mainly carry out planting design in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex or London
3 Design a seating area
That is inviting or marks a special occasion.
An outdoor Cinema can really hit the spot - comfortable seating with blankets; garland lighting and a simple framework to suspend a canvas screen. Ensure electric cabling is either buried or sited overhead for safety.
An inviting table setting for long summer lunches will be an investment - but one you'll use over and over.
This one shows our own handmade table and benches under a wooden arbour fitted with bamboo slats for dappled shade.
Or this one, perched high in the trees…
A mystery glade at a hidden behind a dense vegetation, however small your garden, can provide a quiet oasis for reading, mindfulness or a deep meaningful chat with a friend. The secret to being mysterious is an enticing journey through bold leafy plants, which leads to an unexpected open and welcoming space. Comfortable seating in dappled shade with some favourite artefacts will be worth all the effort for planning now.
