Winter Garden Care in Midlothian
January is a quiet but essential month in the Secret Garden Distillery garden at the foot of the Pentland Hills in Edinburgh.Our focus is on preparation and soil care. While much of the garden appears to be resting, this is the time when we lay the foundations for the growing season ahead.
Reflecting on the Past Growing Season
Winter months are a natural moment to reflect on the past year and growing season. Each year brings its own challenges and rewards. In 2024, our roses struggled, while this summer delivered a bumper crop after a severe pruning. The Rose garden yielded over 14 kilos of fragrant rose petals to use in this years award winning Rose Gin.
Wildlife patterns also shift from year to year. This season, hyssop and tulips became firm favourites for the resident wildlife, while last year hollyhocks and anise hyssop bore the brunt of grazing. These changes help us better understand the garden and adapt our approach.
Learning What the Garden Needs
It takes time to truly get to know a garden and its plants. Over time, we’ve learnt that the Secret Garden responds best to mulching, weed suppression, and perseverance. Winter is the moment to put these lessons into practice and prepare for the year ahead.
Composting and Mulching in January
This month, we are mulching the garden using our own garden compost. Herbaceous material, grass clippings, and fallen leaves collected over the past two years have broken down into a rich, dark compost full of organic matter.
Returning this compost to the garden completes a natural cycle and helps improve soil health and structure.
Protecting Plants Through Winter
A thick layer of compost is applied around the base of lemon verbena plants, fruit trees, and vines, offering protection during colder months. Mulching helps insulate roots, retain moisture, and enrich the soil as it slowly breaks down.
No-Dig Gardening at Secret Garden Distillery
Compost is also added generously to the surface of beds as part of our no-dig gardening approach: key to the sustainability claims we make of our craft distilled gins. By feeding the soil rather than disturbing it, we support beneficial microorganisms and preserve the natural soil structure that healthy plants depend on.
Read here for a more detailed blog about the no-dig approach.
Preparing for the Growing Season Ahead
Although the garden may appear still, there is plenty happening beneath the surface. Caring for the soil in January ensures healthy growth, resilient plants, and flavourful botanicals in the seasons to come.
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