Care and Cultivation of your Perennial Beds in Winter

Winter/July For those following the Crop Rotation Poster.

As promised, here are some winter notes for your perennial beds for those of you gardening by the Crop Rotation Poster.

Rhubarb. 

I know it might be cold and dark but there are still things to do this month and next. Its a good time to divide and replant your rhubarb if you’ve had it in the same place for more than 3 years. That’s if it is dormant - which it is for me in the cooler part of the country. Some of you will still have it producing and still enjoying winter puddings made from it.  (This rhubarb crostata recipe is still a favourite for me). (Emelyn - maybe link this to the recipe?)

There’s an old joke about what to put on your rhubarb. I can safely say, cream or custard goes on your pudding rhubarb, but plenty of manure can go on your rhubarb in the ground. If it is dormant, you can lift it, clear away any perennial weeds, fill up the hole with animal manure, compost, rotted calf sawdust, a good handful of blood and bone and replant. Choose a new spot if you have the room. When it is dug up, its a good time to divide it, replant the newest roots and share the rest out with fellow growers.   Otherwise, leave it where it is, weed it, feed it and mulch it. 

Asparagus. 

I unfortunately let the weeds get away on me with the asparagus beds this year.   They really don’t like weeds so pay attention to the advice to really clear all weeds out before planting if you are putting a new bed in. I have lost so many plants trying to dig out the dratted clover which spread its shallow rooted tendrils all over my lovely asparagus crowns. 

Never mind.  I’ll do my best to clear them out and try better next year lol.  That’s one of the beauties of gardening. It’s very forgiving.  The chance for redemption is always on offer for next year.  

So time to chop back any tops still waving around in the air.  In the old days, according to some of the old time gardeners (my favourites) they used to wait until the ferns dried off and then set fire to them. That ought to deal to the weeds!  You want to avoid them going to seed so cut them back and dispose of in the best way you can.   I’m really tempted to have a go at the fire - but just thinking  - my beds are raised and have wooden edges. Hmmm. Might not be such a sensible idea.  

Once you’ve done that, clear away any weeds and mulch with manure and straw and seaweed if you have access.  Asparagus will stay in the bed for years and years so look after it and it will reward you with delicious spears of joy for months come spring.  

And if you are planting a new bed this year, trust me, begin with a weed free bed. Especially any perennial weeds such as couch grass  or clover.  (I know clover is not technically a weed but in the wrong place it is a dratted nuisance.) Check the notes on the Crop Rotation Poster - add a bit of lime, manure and seaweed.  Plant crowns between now and spring depending on your area. 

Strawberries. 

I am going to move my strawberry bed this year.  Its been in the same bed for a few years and I am thinking of giving the old bed a good makeover.  I haven’t bought new berries for years -just been replanting runners.  See the notes under Number 10 of the key in the Crop Rotation Poster.  They like it a wee bit acid (they are originally edge of the woodland plants), plenty of potassium (I use blood and bone). Hold off with the lime. Also keep as weed free as possible.  

Herbs. 

Most of the perennial herbs look after themselves.  Rosemary is such a winter hero and a staple in the kitchen. Home grown potatoes roasted in olive oil and liberally sprinkled with rosemary. Can’t really go past it - except where maybe you chuck in chunks of home grown pumpkin, parsnip, carrots or any other root vegetable you have going on.  My sage just gives up in the frost. I thought it was pretty hardy but I obviously have’t found the right spot for it. Otherwise that’s my other favourite. Thyme is a winner - added to roast chicken, soups, bakes. More annual herbs like  parsley and coriander can be planted or. harvest now. Tuck them in with your celery or lettuces or edge your green leafy vegetable bed with them. I love coriander also keep up a succession sowing over much of the year. 

That’s enough to keep you going this week!  Enjoy some down time this week too and start planning your new season’s garden.