A Happy but belated New Year for 2012 and its all because I felt smug at Christmas by not going down with cold, flu, over eating/drinking etc. As soon as January arrived, what happens, confined to bed moaning and groaning! Ah Ha! You say the January edition should have been written well before the New Year……well yes it should but I was having such a good time with family and friends or doing nothing at all well it kept on getting put off.

The other excuse is that I have just converted to a Mac book from a PC and had thought I had transferred everything but alas no. So all my personal records from 2010 and 2011 seem to have disappeared into the ether. That’s not a problem just go back to the originals on your old computer I was told, good idea, except I had already wiped the disks!!!!

So what can be learnt from this sorry episode? If you something you value make sure you have a copy, know where you can get a replacement or start taking cuttings (If possible) before the parent plant is past it. There I hope you liked the way it segued in from a rant about my incompetence into a gardening tip.

Did any of you make New Year Resolutions such as:

• I will weed the garden more often
• I will grow my own fruit and vegetables
• I will redesign my borders
• I will make a hanging basket

If so good luck and fare you well. However it is hard to believe that this time last year we were talking about snow, frost, ice etc. Well it is true that the worst weather usually comes in January and February and if you have not done so yet you do need to make sure that any plants which you feel need some protection are covered with frostgard. Fleece comes in several grades, similar to toilet paper, as in thin, thinner and yeuch! Well the best sort to use are the heavier grades as these will also help keep the plants dry which will also give some protection against frost.

A good layer of snow on your plants can actually be beneficial (where it is unlikely to cause physical damage) as it will act as an insulation layer against frosts. Likewise ensure any pots, containers etc are well protected with fleece jackets.

January is a good time to plant fruit trees, roses (outside), lilies (inside and out) provided the soil is in a suitable condition. However frosts can lift the soil, exposing the newly planted roots so keep an eye out for this and be prepared to firm the soil around them as soon as possible.

If it is a mild winter, hedgehogs can wake up for a mid-winter snack before dropping off again, so keep an eye out for them and if seen give them proper food (available from the better pet shops etc), failing that dog food.

Consider buying plug plants like the old favourites geraniums and begonias or how about our brand new plug plants including campanula, nemesia or the very versatile osteospermum in the spring as your response to the credit crunch, pound pinch, or whatever. 2 years ago or was it 3, the tourist £1 was worth 1 euro, today it is worth 1.20 euro so still carry on taking your holiday at home or fly to Jersey where your pound is always worth a pound and pump some cash into our local economy.

Have a prosperous and enjoyable New Year!