Winter (December, January, February)
Hornets are still busy around the ivy and a lot of the leaves are still on the trees, but few are now green. The Robin seems to be the only bird singing although snipe are out on the wetter fields and all the winter visitors are now reappearing
- Hedgelaying and coppicing run through the winter months from October to March
- Hedges can be trimmed but leaving as late as possible and cutting on a rotation means more food for the birds
- Woodland thinning and felling projects carry on through to March
- Nurseries are lifting bare root plants from November and tree and hedge planting are best done before Christmas while the ground is still warm
- Digging and filling new lakes and ponds can continue through the winter
- Reed bed cutting is best done in most situations during the winter
- Aquatic plants in lakes and ponds can be cut back
- Sloes can be picked - after the first frosts to make the best Sloe gin
