Top Tips from our own Grounds Maintenance expert, Stella Giwisser

Stella Giwisser is our Assistant Project Manager, responsible for the Grounds Maintenance division here at Paxman Landscapes.  Her team are busy looking after a whole host of commercial and domestic gardens and open spaces in Yorkshire and across the UK, cultivating, preparing the ground, treating, tidying and keeping the clients’ landscapes in first-class order.

Stella has taken time out of her schedule to share a few pearls of wisdom to help us all keep our gardens in check at this time of year.

Brrrr….. it’s still cold outside but it’s a new year – Hello 2014! Many people have decided their new year’s resolutions, sometimes forgetting that the garden also needs their attention. With this in mind here are some top tips for you to consider in your own January garden maintenance schedules:

If your new year’s resolution is to eat healthier, try some simple sprouting seeds

These will keep your green fingers busy and will aid your new year’s resolution.  These are delicious in salads and prove to be quick and easy to do.

Clear, Clear, Clear

Unfortunately a considerable amount of clearance is still needed. Winter debris, leaves, weeds and possibly snow should be removed from your beds and be replaced with organic matter as many nutrients may have been lost in the soil over the winter – but be cautious bulbs may be emerging.

I’m Hungry!

As most of the seeds and berries have now gone, continue to provide food and water for birds and other wildlife. Fat balls, nuts and seeds provide the perfect diet – and remember they will reward you by eating bothersome pests that consume your prize plants.

Recycle your Christmas Tree

You can shred your used Christmas tree and use it as mulch. However, if you don’t have a shredder you can either take it to your local recycling site or chop it up and leave it in a pile to slowly decay.

Top tip – leave it under a hedge to provide shelter for wildlife.

Clean the Shed

Now is the perfect time to clean out the shed, with dismal weather and dark evenings there isn’t a vast amount to do in the garden.  Whether it’s sorting pots, cleaning and arranging tools or reusing materials such as labels, canes, string etc… for use in the garden this year, now is the time to plan ahead.

To talk to Stella or a member of our team about your grounds maintenance requirements, please call us on 01484 451 387 or email your enquiry to gm@paxman-landscapes.com

January 2014