Goodness hasn't it been cold this month! February has had a chilly start and you'd be forgiven for not venturing into your garden just yet! Nevertheless there's lots to start doing -you'll find this month's list of what to do at the bottom of this post. This is the time of year when hellebores come into their own. We've got some beautiful stock available. Meanwhile in the SHOP, our new farm shop is going from strength to strength. Thank you if you've visited or purchased produce from it. As well as stocking super fresh veg, fruit, eggs, and larder produce we have NEW takeaway meals - read more below.
Help birds this month
This month we continue to be in the 'hungry gap' where birds find it quite difficult to find food. Be kind to our feathered friends and help them in your garden with bird feeders and water supplies. We've got plenty of great products for birds in our Barn (opposite the main shop) should you need anything.
We LOVE Snowdrops and Hellebores
February is traditionally the month when snowdrops appear and they are already in hedgrows around Colyton. One of my favourites, is the beautiful double snowdrop (Galanthus Nivalis - Flore Pleno) which I remember from my childhood.
The other plant of the month is the lovely hellebore. Often overlooked these beauties have stunning flowers which are a welome sight at this time of year. They come in a variety of colours from stunning white and pale pink, to lush green flowers and dark purples. Whichever you choose you'll have a pant that will reward you year on year.
We have plenty of superb ones in stock.
Our Amazing Farm Shop
In addition to super fresh veg, fruit, eggs, chutney, jams and more, we are delighted to announce some brand new additions to the farm shop!
We're now stocking our own hand churned butter.
This delicious blend is creamy and hand made by our very own Sue. You'll find it inside the fridge behind the coffee shop. Buy the jar, and once you've finished bring it back and we'll refill it.
On Saturday mornings we have some freshly baked and delicious bakes in store. Our focaccia was incredibly popular. When it's gone it's gone!
Other additions include delicious free flow creamy milk. Bring your own bottle Litre or pint and fill up, or purchase reuseable bottles in store.
Everyone is telling us they just LOVE the taste!
Another new offer is our FAMILY sized veg boxes which are available to pick up. Packed with all your favourite veggies!
They feed 3-4 people. Produce varies from day to day but they are jam packed with 10 varieties of veg! Much of the produce is from growers from within the South West!
Order yours by calling 01297 551113
Or pop in and pick one up.
🎉 Introducing our NEW takeaway range We are SUPER HAPPY to be offering a new range of frozen home cooked meals from our 5* rated kitchen by our lovely cooks. Perfect for those days when you’re on the go or just want to pick up a warming lunch. Find them in the freezer behind the coffee shop counter.
THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY
Try to avoid walking on the lawn if it is frosty or covered in snow as this will kill the grass beneath.
Top up the food and water supplies for garden birds on a regular basis. Water is especially important if we have a cold spell. Support a container on bricks with a tea light underneath to keep it from icing up.
PRUNE
Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering.
If summer-flowering shrubs flowered on new wood, prune them back to promote new growth in the Spring.
Prune hardy evergreen trees and shrubs.
Prune jasmine and later-summer-flowering clematis.
Top-dress or re-pot shrubs in containers.
Prune off old stems of herbaceous perennials.
PLANT, MULCH & FEED
Continue planting fruit trees and bushes.
Mulch fruit trees after feeding. Use chipped bark or good garden compost.
If newly planted trees and shrubs have been lifted by frost firm them back into the ground. Mulch with chipped bark to suppress weeds and keep them warm.
Apply organic-based fertilisers such as well-rotted manure to mature, permanent beds.
Start dahlia tubers into growth by nestling into trays of moist compost. Once shoots are 3” tall they can be taken as cuttings to increase stock.
Divide and re-plant snowdrops once they have finished flowering and setting seed.
Prepare seedbeds for vegetables (only if the ground is not waterlogged).
Lime vegetable plots if necessary. Remember to rotate your plots annually to prevent disease.
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO….
Cut back overgrown shrubs and hedges before the nesting season starts.
Finish pruning fruit such as raspberries and gooseberries. Mulch with organic matter and they will love you for it!
GET IN FRONT….
Make sure that hanging baskets, pots and seed trays are clean.
Check your stocks of pots, compost and labels.
Check tools, equipment and plant supports are sound.
Get tools such as mower blades, spades and hoes sharpened for the coming season. We have a regular sharpening service, so call us and we can let you know when the next visit is due.
FIND US AT : King Street, Colyton, Devon EX24 6LF Email: info@colytongardenshop.co.uk
Tel: 01297 551113