With snow forecast again this week many gardeners will be keeping indoors, gardens across the UK will remain untouched until the snow clears. However surprisingly there are a few vital jobs worth venturing outdoors for if you are feeling brave enough!

Shrubs and Trees
The snow can have a damaging affect on your shrubs and trees, it can cause branches to become overloaded and break. Try to brush off any snow from your trees, shrubs and climbers with covered hands or a broom. Check the ties on all climbing plants as some may have broken due to the excess weight caused by the snow and replace where necessary.

Birds
Birds and other wildlife help your garden. At this time of year they will be struggling to find food and water. Put extra food on your bird table and unfreeze your bird baths.

Chickens
If you keep any other animals in your garden such as chickens, check that they have a sufficient supply of unfrozen water and give them extra bedding and food during the cold spell.

Wormeries
A wormery is a great addition to any garden and is pretty self sufficient throughout the year. During a cold spell however you will need to move the wormery into a shed, garage or sheltered spot in your garden. Wrap an old blanket or newspaper around the structure for insulation. Your worms will survive freezing conditions but will stop eating at temperatures below 3C. Do not give them food waste until the temperature warms up. If you can store your food waste until the weather improves. For more tips and advice on looking after your wormery read Jack’s guide to keeping a wormery.

Caution
Do take care to wrap up when venturing outdoors at this time of year, not only will this be beneficial to your health but will also ensure that any outdoor jobs you need to carry out are more pleasurable and less of a chore. Check out the wide range of wellington boots available at Jack’s garden store to keep your feet nice and dry during the snow and wet weather.

Good Luck

Gardener  Jack

Worn and popularised by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, Wellington Boots – or Wellies as they are often better known – are becoming an essential part in every man and woman’s footwear collection.

Whether you’re an avid gardener, festival goer, farmer or dog walker there are now rubber boots on the market to cater for every taste and requirement. From the Queen to Kate Moss, there are now a pair of wellington boots on the market for everybody.

The Wellington boot is a great piece of footwear for walking on wet or muddy ground and are completely waterproof. Generally they stop just below the knee enabling your trousers to be protected from any dirt.

Wellington boots were formerly largely available in green or dark blue, thankfully today they are available in a wide range of colours and patterns including, butterfly, polka dot, hearts, animal print and stripey. Wellies no longer need be worn as purely a functional item but can also be fun and allow you to show part of your character and playful side through their design. Funky wellies are one of the largest growing areas in footwear.

Depending on why you are wearing your wellington boots, for some – especially those gardening – the conventional boots ending just below the knee can be quite cumbersome. If this is the case a pair of ankle booted wellies may be more suitable for you. These still keep those socks nice and dry as they are 100% waterproof but allow you to be more nimble on your feet.
Another great new development of the welly is luxurious linings! Certain types of wellies are available with a gorgeous fleecy lining to keep your tootsies warm in even the coldest of conditions!

How to look after your wellies

Remember – as much as your wellies look after your feet, you must look after your wellies.
When taking your boots off after a long day do not use a step to remove your boot, always use a boot jack. This will prevent excessive stress on the boot heel which, if repeated on a regular basis, could lead to your beloved boots splitting.

Take care of your boots. When you wash them use clean water and allow them to dry in a cool, well ventilated area. Once cleaned and dried a protector spray can be applied. Boots with a zip will require extra care. Carefully wash any mud away, dry and then apply a silicone spray to keep your zip running smoothly. Do not allow your boots to be stored for any length of time with the zip open or clogged with mud as this will cause problems and eventually ruin your boot.

Storing your boots – keep your boots in a cool, well ventilated area out of direct sunlight. Do not leave your wellies next to a radiator, AGA or boiler and just as equally not out in the freezing cold. Extreme temperature conditions at either end of the spectrum will eventually ruin your boots causing them to dry and crack.

Check out our great range of wellington boots in the store. We would love to hear your feedback on the range.

Gardener Jack