Ten Gardener's Commandments

 

Reviewing my notes, which I had collected for decades, I was able to compile them into 10 theses, which can be referred to as the ten guidelines of a gardener. 

Here are the commandments:

Don't be scared to invest on something worthwhile! Good planting material, good nursery stock, decent seeds, even if they cost more, will be cheaper in the end than inexpensive but inferior items. The phrase says, "What you buy cheaply, you pay dearly!"

Don't hésiter à dépenser sur quelque chose de bénéfique! Le bon matériau de plantation, le bon stock de graines, les bons semences, même si elles coûtent plus cher, seront finalement moins coûteux que les produits chers mais inférieurs. On dit : ce que vous achetez à prix réduit, vous payez cher!

Avoid being wasteful! Expensive paint-coated artificial garden fence, flower pegs, espaliers, and other such items will serve no greater purpose than much basic, less expensive alternatives.

Il ne faut pas gaspiller! La fencing de jardin artificielle, les stakes de fleurs, les espaliers, etc., peints avec une peinture coûteuse, ne sera pas plus utile que les beaucoup plus simples et moins coûteux.

 

Sow and plant according to the local climate and soil makeup. What works well in Paris, London, or Berlin will not work as well in Oslo, Helsinki, and other locations. Good native species and kinds will always be preferable to alien ones unsuitable to the environment.

Apportez vos souches et vos plantations à la météo locale et à la composition du sol. Quelqu'un qui réussit à Paris, Londres ou Berlin ne réussira pas aussi bien à Oslo, Helsinki, etc. Les espèces natives et les variétés locales seront toujours supérieures aux espèces étrangères qui ne correspondent pas aux conditions.

If you take care of and nourish the land, it will take care of you. For gardening purposes, fallow manure works better than any artificial manure; part of this is also enhanced by properly loosening the soil.

Keep plants from suffering from dryness. Water still works wonders, as does timing your plant watering.

Try out new types and species in tiny batches! Keep and grow what turns out to be good while discarding what is poor and inferior!

Don't get carried away with pricey news! What is excellent among them will find its own way, become more affordable, and accessible to all.

Don't forget to balance your income and spending at the end of each year!
Legislate for the garden's well-being and happiness, and record it as revenue, but dismiss any failures and cheats; that is when things go wrong.

Don't dismiss excellent advise, but don't ignore your own common sense.

Don't be embarrassed to seek help from a neighbour if you don't know anything yourself, and don't assume you know everything, since you may wind up knowing very little.

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can accomplish right now! In horticulture, it is quite significant. There's never enough time. What may be done successfully now may be too late tomorrow. 

Gardener’s calendar - January

 

January is a quiet month for most gardeners, but there are still some tasks that you can do to prepare your garden for the spring. Whether you have a vegetable plot, a flower bed, or a container garden, here are some tips and ideas to keep your plants healthy and happy in the cold season.

Key takeaways

What to do	What to plant	What to harvest
Protect your plants from frost and snow	Hardy vegetables like kale, spinach, and onions	Winter crops like leeks, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts
Prune your fruit trees and roses	Spring bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and crocuses	Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage
Clean and sharpen your tools	Indoor plants like orchids, ferns, and succulents	Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits
Plan your garden layout and order seeds	Bare-root plants like raspberries, strawberries, and roses	Winter salads like lettuce, rocket, and mizuna

Protect your plants from frost and snow

One of the main challenges for gardeners in January is to protect their plants from the harsh weather conditions. Frost and snow can damage the leaves, stems, and roots of your plants, and reduce their chances of survival. Here are some ways to prevent frost and snow damage:

• Cover your plants with fleece, straw, or mulch to insulate them from the cold. You can also use cloches, tunnels, or cold frames for smaller plants.
• Move your pots and containers to a sheltered spot, such as a porch, a greenhouse, or a windowsill. You can also wrap them with bubble wrap or cardboard to keep them warm.
• Water your plants sparingly, and only in the morning. Wet soil can freeze and expand, which can crack your pots and damage your plant roots.
• Remove any snow from your plants as soon as possible, especially from evergreens and conifers. Snow can weigh down your plants and break their branches.

Prune your fruit trees and roses

January is a good time to prune your fruit trees and roses, as they are dormant and less likely to bleed sap or attract diseases. Pruning can improve the shape, health, and productivity of your plants, as well as prevent overcrowding and crossing branches. Here are some general guidelines for pruning:

• Use sharp and clean tools to make clean cuts. You can disinfect your tools with alcohol or bleach between cuts to prevent spreading infections.
• Cut at an angle, about 1/4 inch above a bud or a branch collar. Avoid leaving stubs or tearing the bark.
• Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, as well as any suckers or water sprouts.
• Thin out any branches that are too dense, too long, or too low. Aim for an open and balanced structure that circulates light and air.
• For fruit trees, follow the specific pruning techniques for each type of tree, such as apple, pear, plum, or cherry. 
• For roses, cut back the main stems by about 1/3 to 1/2, depending on the type and size of the rose. You can also shorten the side shoots by about 2/3. 

Clean and sharpen your tools

Another task that you can do in January is to clean and sharpen your gardening tools. This can extend the life of your tools, as well as make your gardening work easier and safer. Here are some steps to follow:

• Wash your tools with warm water and soap to remove any dirt, rust, or sap. You can use a wire brush or steel wool to scrub off any stubborn stains. Rinse and dry your tools thoroughly.
• Sharpen your tools with a file, a whetstone, or a sharpening device. Follow the original angle and direction of the blade, and avoid over-sharpening or creating burrs. You can test the sharpness of your tools by cutting a piece of paper or wood.
• Oil your tools with a light machine oil or a spray lubricant to prevent rust and corrosion. You can also use a rag or a cloth to wipe off any excess oil.
• Store your tools in a dry and secure place, such as a shed, a garage, or a toolbox. You can also hang your tools on a wall or a rack to save space and keep them organized.