As the twinkling lights of the festive season slowly fade into the distance, you’ll soon find it’s time for all green-thumbed enthusiasts to turn their attention to the tired Christmas tree. After all, no one wants to kick off the new year with a woody eyesore cramping their interior style! Fear not, dear gardeners, for we have crafted a brilliant guide on what to do with your Christmas tree post-Christmas. Artificial trees can go back into the loft for another year, but the real ones deserve a more exciting and eco-friendly fate. From replanting your tree to using it as compost or using it for DIY projects, there are lots of ideas to keep you busy during that boring post-Christmas slump.
Replanting your Christmas tree
For those who fancy keeping the festive spirit alive in your garden, why not consider replanting your Christmas tree? You can then use it again year after year, and the tree will practically become part of the family. Here's how you can do it:
- Pick a prime spot: Take the time to research your tree species and find the optimal location in your garden. Different trees have varying sunlight and soil requirements, so tailor the spot accordingly. Generally, a sunny, well-drained location in your garden is the perfect new home for your tree – no shady business here!
- Ditch the decorations: Strip your tree of all its festive finery – tinsel, baubles and twinkling lights – and let it embrace its natural beauty.
- Dig a deep hole: Dig a hole double the width of your tree's root ball and just as deep. It's like creating a comfy bed for your evergreen companion. Before digging the hole, consider mixing some well-rotted manure or compost into the soil. This provides essential nutrients for your tree's growth in its new home.
- Water, water, everywhere: Give your tree a hearty watering after settling it into its new abode. Then, mulch it with organic goodness to keep it cosy. Mulch should be applied a couple of inches thick but avoid burying the tree stem. Mulch will help to reduce weeds, cool soil temperatures, and promote water retention. You may have collected some fallen needles from your tree while it was inside your home – this is perfect for use as mulch.
Replanting your Christmas tree is like giving it a one-way ticket to horticultural happiness. Plus, every time you glance at it, you'll be reminded of those precious festive memories. When next Christmas rolls around, you’ll be able to simply pop out to the garden and chop down the tree for another day of decorating. If you’ve taken good care of it, the tree will be even bigger and greener.
Transform your tree into mulch and compost
If a permanent tree in your garden feels like too much commitment, fear not! Simply turn your Christmas tree into mulch and compost – it's like a feast for your flowers and plants.
Here's how to do it:
- Branch out with some shredding: