Magazine

It’s that time of year when most gardeners will be thinking about giving their lawnmower its first outing of the year, storms permitting! Having been stored away in winter ‘hibernation’ for the past few months, some mowers might need a service before being ready for action.

Every four years, we get to enjoy the 29^th of February, and that four-year cycle has come around again in 2020. But why DO we have a leap year? And how can we make the most of that extra day this month?

Compost heaps have been lying dormant through the winter. It’s a good time to turn them with a fork or spade to get them moving, to break down the contents into crumbly nutritious humus to spread on your spring garden.

Winter frosts continue, so if you have not done so already, wrap some horticultural fleece around those tender plants.

January is Walk Your Dog Month - but what, exactly, do dogs really enjoy about their walks? And what can owners do to make sure their pets get the maximum benefit?

Snow in January can look lovely, but it brings its problems in the garden. It’s a good idea to knock off snow from the branches of your trees, shrubs and fruit bushes before the weight damages branches.

Seed catalogues – the weather in January can mean that the garden has to take a back seat, but that gives you the chance to leaf through those enticing catalogues and plan your growing for the year!

South Korea is the first Asian state outside of Japan to be chosen to host the Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics.