Gardening tasks that can still be done in all this snow

The best laid Plans o' Mice an' Men, gang aft agley

Well the weather of the last three weeks couldn't have upset my garden plans much more.

Winter is when I get caught up with the garden, gather leaves, clean out streams, make new garden beds, remove old and dead branches from trees and shrubs..... but with at least a foot of hard snow over everything and glazed ice on the branches its no-go, so what can you do!!

Inside, the first seeds can be sown, onions and parsley need an early start in a heated propagater, and there are a number of seeds that benefit from a period of cold to get them to germinate.

You can also write the labels for all the other things you will be sowing when spring comes along, that will be a time consuming chore done, as long as you remember where you've put them.

Outside, after every new snowfall, gently shake the snow of your favourite shrubs and small trees so that
 they dont break with the weight. If you have plastic tunnels, do the same, because even if your hoops can take the strain, a load of snow and ice will stretch the plastic and shorten its life. With weaker hoops, put some timber props under them, you can remove them when the snow is over so they wont get in the way.

My favourite job in these conditions is a bonfire.

All the years non-compostable branches have been piled and maybe even covered, and if you
knock the cap of snow off, they will be relatively dry underneath.

Here are some common sense do's and dont's to watch out for.

1. Don't burn the heap where it is, it might have creatures living in or under it.
2. Make sure you've got a spot to burn near your heap, but well clear of any sheds, fences, seats etc. Dead ferns, grasses, heather beds and conifers are all plants that are very combustable even under a cap of snow.
3. Check the wind direction, I have found that smoke is not welcomed in the house or washing line.
4. Check the forecast, you don't want a wind change or a gale getting up.
5. Check with your neighbours and offer to burn small amounts they may have, if they bring them over, its a fine excuse for finishing off the mulled wine and chrismas cake. (Not that I would be condoning combing fire and alcohol)
6. When lighting the fire, dont use petrol or artificial fire lighters, as apart from the safety aspect, you wont be able to use the ash as fertiliser.
7. When it is down to a glowing heap, use it for an impromptue BBQ, but dont be tempted to leave it over night, the wind can get up, sparks can fly, neighbours alarmed, fire brigade called, insurance agents panicked......
8. Cover the dead fire with a layer of soil and a piece of metal on top to keep the ash dry.
9. Save the ash in a dry place until spring when it can be applied around fruit trees and bushes where it will be of most benefit.
10. And of course my inner health and safety officer must remind you to supervise all pets and children at all times and never leave the fire unattended, now go forth and become pryromaniacs :o)