Gardening Tips for January

Wildlife

  • Feed the bird high energy food in colder weather (eg fat balls, sunflower hearts, peanuts and mealworms) check bird feeders regularly.
  • Clean bird baths and drinkers using a bird safe disinfectant and keep them free of ice.
  • Put up new nest boxes ready for the breeding season and clean out existing ones.

Trees, Shrubs and Flowers

  • Remove old Hellebore leaves.
  • Start to cut back ornamental grasses & perennials to base level before new growth sprouts.
  • Consider planting winter interest plants in pots for some winter cheer (eg Skimmia, Primroses or Hellebores).
  • Deadhead winter pansies.
  • Sow Sweet Peas and put on a windowsill or in a greenhouse.
  • Sow Lobelia, Salvia and Begonias in a propagator or heated greenhouse.

Lawns

  • Keep removing worm casts and mole hills.
  • Watch for waterlogging and aerate with a fork. Try not to walk on waterlogged areas to prevent damage.

Fruit and vegetables

  • Clear away the remains of old crops on the vegetable plot.
  • Improve soil in vegetable patches by adding organic matter when weather permits.
  • Cover peach trees to help prevent leaf curl (bring container grown peach trees under cover of possible)
  • Sow sprouting seeds such as beetroot, pea shoots, mung beans and alfalfa indoors for a quick, easy and nourishing addition to stir fries, salads and soups.
  • Cut out old canes on Autumn fruiting raspberries.
  • Prune blueberries by cutting out some of older stems.
  • Prepare (chit) potatoes ready for planting.

General Maintenance

  • Keep paths free of algae by using a patio cleaner
  • Place containers on bricks or pot feet to prevent water-logging.
  • Clean out greenhouses ready for early seed sowings also sterilise pots and seed trays with garden disinfectant.
  • Rake up leaves and keep garden tidy to make life easier later on in the year.
  • Treat fences and woodwork if weather permits.
  • Remove snow from greenhouse roofs.
  • Check greenhouse heaters are working.
  • Plan what you are going to grow this year so you are organised well in advance.
  • Clean out debris from ponds if they are not frozen.
  • Use cloches, fleece or plastic to warm soil up for earlier sowings and crops.
  • Ideal time to install a water butt or add new ones. These can be used for easy and quick watering later in the year.