Don't be a loser as the cold war looms

The first frosts have arrived not so much with a vengeance but with a breathless whisper of crisp cold. Even though it’s not chilly enough to worry established tender plants like a sheltered banana or tree fern it does however remind us that winter is on its way and we need to protect any tender or young vulnerable plants. It's now or never Im afraid, so get out there and use what you have to cover plants or check out what’s available in more conventional ways like garden centres and the like.
Hessian sacks, horticultural fleece, straw, leaf mould, cloches or plastic sheeting can all be used to successfully keep the elements at bay. Many plants are increasingly expensive and exotics can be at the heavy pricing end of the market. It takes a short amount of time on a dry day to cover and either tie in or weigh down protection.
If you have things in pots they can be placed in a more sheltered area or by a shed window or warmed greenhouse. Some people swear by their favourite old oil heater but a candle under a terracotta pot will also keep the chill off just enough to prevent fatalities.
One plant that keeps popping up and making me smile at the moment are nerines. They would n’t look out of place in a Brazilian mardi gras as they are so flamboyant and glamorous which is just what many people want at this time of year.
While they might not flower in their first year, they will definitely give you spades of joy in the following years. They are late flowering and hang around for ages looking attractive and alluring in deep pink hues. They are a member of the Amaryllidaceae species which includes Agapanthus, amaryllis and the humble daffodil. Not a bad bloodline if you ask me.
I know they don’t go in now as its too cold for their South African DNA but make a note to get some in spring and put them in just when the seasons turn to summer and the soil warms up.
On the plot - chillier conditions are well suited to sowing some seeds at this time of year albeit under cloches to keep the worst of the frost away.
Garlic for example loves a cold spell as do other members of the allium family. Onion sets can be planted now and kept secure from feathered heads until the bulbs slowly start to resemble something useful in the kitchen. ‘Radar and ‘Autumn Champion’ seem to be quite robust varieties.
Shallots are also another family member that thrives over the winter months ‘Longor’ and ‘Griselle’ are two good varieties to get through until they become edible in April.
Give some thought to helping the local wildlife out. Hedgehogs in particular are thinking about piling on weight and hibernating now, so you could put hedgehog house in a quiet corner where leaves and straw might be accumulating.Hedgehogs are a marvellous species to encourage because they love eating slugs and snails.
Keep the bird feeder topped up as you ll find it empties much quicker than in summer as there is less food around for indigenous birds not on holiday in the tropics. I noticed my last bee about three weeks ago so they are all tucked away in walls and bee houses.
If you donate some time in the quieter months to making the plot more nature friendly then it really will pay dividends next year. Not only that’s, its fascinating to see small children enthralled and sit quietly waiting for hedgehogs to come out on summer evenings.
If we can help nature along through planting and thoughtfulness we are doing the next generation a favour when finally everyone realises that staring into screens isn’t beneficial for us as a species.