SIO Tips no. 55: Gardening jobs for January

It may be cold outside but there are still jobs to do in the garden to prepare for Spring. 
Now is the time to plan your planting and prune those fruit trees.
Don't forget to keep feeding the little birds; they need the extra food now.

Tricks for later

Seasons pass so fast and often we want to create something for a special occasion but we have nothing to go on. So why not start a seasons photo library. 
Every couple of weeks simply take a snap or two of things like a newly opened flower or snowy view, things that are special to that time of year. 
Download the photo's on to the computer give each a meaningful name starting with the date so you can sort should you wish. Then when in the snowy depths of winter you decide you want to make something to give later in the year, you can seasonalise it by referring to your photo record. 

You could even make your own wonderful cards from your pictures.

Easy to do, takes very little time and will hold 1000 memories.

Spring now you see it, now you don't.

Spring; has it sprung or not? The weather might have the birds confused and the snowdrops unsure whether to open or not but the lambs are arriving regardless. A tough year for farmers in the UK with damp unusable fields and huge feed bills.
Little lambs do not fare well in the cold rain, they are tough but rain is an enemy so many will have to stay in doors or close to the farm where space allows. 
Also this year there is a terrible disease hitting unborn lambs, and many will sadly be still born. Those out will have to try to keep warm, mum often making a soft warm bed as youngsters climb up and sit on her. 
The higher the farm land the later the lambs, those in the mountains often waiting til April to lamb and better weather. 
So, when you see a field of new born lambs be grateful, as this year it's not going to be a sight as common as normal.