This is a question I often get asked at this time of year and most people are surprised when I tell them that November to March are the best months for planting. All the plants I use in my designs are hardy and should be able to take temperatures as low as minus 15 celsius. The simple rule I apply is that if I cannot get my trowel in the ground, then I cannot plant until the ground has defrosted.
In my garden in Brampton just outside Carlisle in Cumbria the temperatures went as low as minus 10 in December, but the plants are all still looking fine as they are tucked up under a layer of mulch. I often describe the mulch as a duvet cover for the plants, keeping them snug during the winter.
Perennials are dormant at this time of year and can settle into their new home before spring. We also have a far greater choice of plants because we can plant bare root plants in the winter months. In Cumbria I have been busy planting bare root perennials and Roses for the last two months. These are plants that are not sold in containers and can only be planted when the plant is not actively growing. I buy all the perennials for all the gardens I design from Howard Nurseries who are a wholesale perennial specialist. Although they are based in Suffolk, their plants are fully hardy and can cope with the Cumbrian weather.
November and December are also good months to plant bulbs. I have just planted 200 daffodils in a bank in my garden in Cumbria. If I had planted them too early in September, then they would have started growing and then been knocked back by the cold spells.
When spring comes plants are under a lot of stress as they start growing and often the weather can be windy which means the moisture they get often evaporates. Planting in July and August puts too much pressure on young plants. Even in Cumbria, the temperatures in Carlisle hit over 28 degrees celsius in 2022. Although I use drought resistant plants, they still need plenty of water in their first year as they establish their root system.
So if you are looking to do some new planting in the New Year, then drop me an email to arrange a free consultation.
