Like many gardeners in England, I do not hibernate during the winter months, in fact

In many ways I am just as busy, only hindered by the shorter hours and the weather, which so far this year, has not reduced the working hours.

The winter months allow us to catch up on projects that will improve things for the following growing season, where those ideas that occur during the hectic whirlwind of gardening in spring and summer, can be brought into fruition, when all the gardens are fully under control.

The projects at this point in time may not look wonderful, and that fear factor that wants everything to be unchanged, has to be well and truly stamped on, and overcome with the help of a vivid imagination and a positive attitude.

I don’t think of myself as a gardener, or a landscaper, or a designer, or a tree surgeon,

The important issue I feel, is to be able to look after the gardens throughout the year and deal with whatever problems that come along, promptly and professionally.

It could be said that a one of these problems might be finding winter garden work, but for me and quite a few other garden workers, this is not a problem anymore.

I have expanded my skill and knowledge base to encompass all possible work that may be required in that working arena, we call the garden.

I am also to the Landscape Juice Network, so should I need advice or information on any garden subject from fellow professionals, the answers will be there within minutes

The following photographs are of work ongoing this winter, with a few summer photographs showing those areas that are to be changed, plus a few projects from previous winters. I hope to update these photographs throughout the coming year to show how things progress.

No doubt there will be few mistakes that will need to be remedied – but hopefully not too many.

The border in front of this Lonicera nitida hedge has always been too narrow,

with poor soil encorperated behind the railway sleepers.

The railway sleepers have been moved out a metre and new top soil added. Irises which

were virtually lost under the hedge, have been dug up and are now being grown on in the

greenhouse, ready to be transplanted in the spring.

Existing plants in the garden have been divided or transplanted

and the bed is starting to fill up.

Removing islands in the pond and digging out prennials from the far bank to enable a new

planting scheme.

Adding a few wooden hurdles to soften the pond edge.

Clearing the streams entrance.

A grass bank overlooking a swimming pool is going to be planted with wildflowers.

Further preparation, but now awaiting another tonne of top soil as the uncovered soil is too shallow in areas.

 To prevent soil erosion we will use a Geo-jute   http://www.green-tech.co.uk/geo-jute    costing £105

The seeds will just grow through the holes in the woven fabric.

  Manufactured from unbleached jute fibre, Geo-jute is a lightweight yet effective net for use in the prevention of erosion, degrades in one season. Holds up to 6 times its own weight in water. Invaluable for establishing new grass seedlings, thereafter the product slowly biodegrades to add nutrients and improve soil quality. Weight of Geo Jute is 500g per m2

Update

 The bank has been sown with the wildflower seeds mixed with sand and the Geo jute cut and pegged down.

 Autumn work, erecting an arcway.

Attaching a couple of trellises for the Jasmine.

Work started on a hotel entrance in Torquay, all the plants are to be removed

and transplanted elsewhere, so that a colourful eye catching display of bedding plants

will greet the holiday makers when they turn up, as well as attracting in new passing visitors.

The view from the street in January.

Conifer shaping and height reduction during January in Devons mild climate.

Preparing an area of paving stones to be re pointed, the faulty pointing was done

just over a year ago,  not by us I hasten to add.

Digging out old tree roots from a felled cherry tree infected with Honey Fungus in late Autumn

The large Cedar at the back is now competing for space with the conifer growing up into its

lower branches, and it's wonderful outline is being spoiled.

The top of the conifer has now been lowered, and it will now be kept at this height with

a quick trimming each year

 So half way through the winter and still finding many things to do .

A few projects from previous winters

A seating and retaining wall

More curved stone walling

Screening with rustic poles.

Designed and landscaped front garden for a yachting couple

      www.acegardenservices.co.uk