This is usually the coldest month of the year. Conditions are frustrating for the gardener, with many left-over jobs from December waiting to be done.

Although it has been mild so far, we do expect it to get colder and fresher, so if you have new beds and are waiting to plant part of them out, go ahead.

Most shrubs are hardened off and should be OK for planting in severe frost.

Protect shrubs with garden fleece, which is available in the Garden Centre.

This is often thought of as a completely colourless month, but there are quite a number of plants in bloom, namely Winter flowering Jasminum, with its briliant yellow flowers, Gailtheria, with full red berries, Viburnum Tinus and Skimmia Ribella, with red bulbs opening up into white flowers.

You also have Erica (heathers) in full colour, and Polyanthus.

Snowdrops and dwarf narcissi have started to appear in many gardens, and iris opens its lilac blooms throughout the Winter months.

More colour is provided by the bark of some trees and shrubs, none more so than the brilliant crimson young shoots of dogwood.

Craigville Garden Centre Sligo Road, Enniskillen

(Tel 66 326004)

Ardbeg Garden Centre,

& Coffee Shop

Ballygawley

Co. Tyrone

(Tel 855 67800)