Things to do in January

As January is the mid-Winter month this means it is likely to be the coldest month of the year so in theory there isn’t a lot to do… or is there?

Things to do:

1. Give the shed and/or greenhouse a good clean and get rid of any accumulated rubbish, broken pots etc.
2. Brush off soil from plant pots and trays if not already done. You may also want to wash them, particularly if they are going to be used for seeds or cuttings.
3. Clear away leaves from the beds, lawn and paths.
4. If it is a sunny day, take a look at your garden and a make a note of which areas have sun and which don’t.  This can help when it comes to planning for plants to provide some winter interest, colour and scent during those months when it is cold and the sun is lower in the sky.
5. Visit your local garden centre and see what plants are looking good in the winter months.
6. Organise some high energy food and clean water for our feathered friends (remember we want to encourage them to visit later in the year and help with pest control!)
7. Now is a good time to take root cuttings of suitable plants (e.g. Gaillarda) whilst they are dormant.
8. Browse the seed catalogues, make huge lists, realise you can’t wait for spring to arrive!

What others suggest

There are plenty of other things you can be doing this month and below are links to a few of those with suggestions:

• What to do now (January) – Gardener’s World
• What to do in the garden in January – Thompson & Morgan
• January – RHS
• What to do in your garden in January – Suttons
• Fruit & Vegetable Growing Guide for January – Allotment Garden