Festive gardening tasks

17:23 14th December 2009

Those who can spare the time over the festive period may enjoy getting out of the kitchen and back into the garden and greenhouse.

According to the Times, there is nothing that is absolutely pressing to be done, but taking the time to prepare a little for the spring season can be a great way to get a head start.

It revealed that now is an excellent time to plant any new shrubs, bushes or trees and advised against purchasing ready-to-plant established specimens that come in containers.

This is due to the cost, which the newspaper claims can be cut down by investing in bare-root specimens from a mail order firm - a good money-saving tip for those taking on large-scale planting projects.

As soon as the roots arrive they should be soaked in water and then quickly planted with compost into a pre-prepared hole.

Garden and greenhouse fans were also advised to prune their rose bushes and wisteria in order to ensure they are protected during winter and produce a bountiful crop of flowers in 2010.

Meanwhile, the Press and Journal has suggested that Brits use twigs and trimmings from their garden to make a Christmas wreath.