Containers and herbaceous perennials

It may seem strange to be watering in winter, but if you have stored some pots and containers in the shelter of the wall of the house or tucked in by a fence or under an evergreen shrub, they might get a bit dry. If the weather permits you could pull them out a little when it is raining or you could just give them a drink from a watering can – not too much because the plants will be dormant, but getting dehydrated will be very bad for the spring growth when the weather starts to warm up. Again if weather permits and the ground is not too wet, it is well worth a walk around the garden looking to see if there are any herbaceous perennials which could do with lifting and dividing. In January, when there is very little growth showing, it is easier to see any gaps there are in the beds and you can fill these in with the divided plants. If you feel like a change, then January is certainly a good time to re-plan any beds which have become a little tired and boring. Many gardeners do most of their summer planning in January when it is too nasty to be out and about.