IT is hard to work on beds and borders at this time of year, because of frozen or saturated soil.
But on drier, milder days, it is still worth getting out and doing a quick health check on areas where perennials and bedding are planted. Keep up with the weeding, and clear away storm-blown debris that may rot, and can host pests.
If you have any attractive perennial flower stems still standing, cut them back if they are tatty, as damaged material can be an entry point for disease. Leave the top growth of penstemons, however, as it helps protect the crown of the plant in cold weather .
Winter can have prolonged dry spells, and if this happens, water anything that has recently been planted (check pots, too). Add…
