Gardening Chores - January

January- A month for Preparation:

January is the coldest month of the year, with short days and the potential for frost and snow. While the garden is mostly dormant, it is a critical time for planning and preparation. Use this month to order seeds, clean and sharpen tools, and care for houseplants. It is also worth getting familiar with your soil’s PH ahead of the gardening year with a Soil Test kit.

In the Flower Garden

If you haven't already, dig over any vacant flower beds. This helps to aerate the soil and gets it ready for new planting in the coming months.
Trim grasses, but take care not to cut them back too far. Leave the final hard trim for late spring.
Cut back perennials to ground level. This tidies up your borders and prevents pests from overwintering.
Mulch your borders with two inches of leaf mould, compost,or well-rotted manure. This will enrich the soil and suppress weeds before they get a chance to grow.
If you have any remaining snow, gently brush it off trees and shrubs to prevent damage to branches.
Cut back Buddleias. Cutting them back now will encourage strong, healthy new growth and a profusion of flowers for later in the year.

The Vegetable Plot & Orchard

January is a quiet month for the vegetable plot, so use this time to start planning for the next season now! Consider crop rotation and which seeds you'll need.
Start forcing rhubarb for the sweetest stems. This involves covering the crown with a terracotta forcer or a pot to exclude light.
Prune and thin out apple and pear trees. Cut back any new growth to one or two buds. This helps to maintain the tree's shape and encourages healthy fruit production.

In the Greenhouse

On warmer, sunny days,ventilate your greenhouse to prevent a build-up of moisture and mould.
Check that your greenhouse insulation is securely attached
Invest in a min-max thermometerto make sure your greenhouse heaters are functioning correctly and your plants are protected.
If it has snowed, carefully remove the snow from the roof to prevent damage and let in as much light as possible.

Wildlife & Weather Watch

Put out food and water for birds.This is an especially important task during the coldest months.
To prevent freezing and damage, make sure your irrigation lines are completely drained.
Finally, lag any outside taps to protect them from frost.

General Garden Maintenance

Put your old Christmas tree to good use! Shred it to create a great mulch for your garden beds.
If you have hedges or rose bushes that need planting or replacing, do so before any snow arrives and the ground freezes.
Repair and re-shape your lawn edges for a tidy, professional look.
Wash trees with a winter wash to kill any remaining insect eggs, helping to prevent pest problems in the spring.