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Open today 9:00 - 17:00
January is one of the quietest months for plant growth, with many trees, shrubs and perennials still dormant and daylight hours short. This dormant period creates useful opportunities for planting and pruning, while winter weather means jobs often need to be timed around frost, heavy rain and waterlogged soil. It is also a good month to prepare for the growing season ahead, checking stored plants, cleaning growing spaces and planning early sowings.
January is within the dormant planting season for bare-root deciduous trees, fruit trees, roses and shrubs. Plant during suitable weather, but wait if the soil is frozen or waterlogged.
Deciduous bare-root hedging can be planted through winter while plants are dormant. If conditions prevent immediate planting, protect the roots from drying out until the ground is suitable.
Trees and shrubs grown in containers can also be planted during mild winter weather. Winter planting reduces the demand for watering while plants establish, but avoid working saturated or frozen ground.
Established apple and pear trees can be pruned while they are dormant, generally between leaf fall and early spring. January is often suitable, but avoid pruning stone fruits such as cherries and plums at this time.
January and February are the traditional months for the winter prune of wisteria. Shorten the shoots pruned the previous summer back to two or three buds to maintain the plant’s framework and encourage flowering.
Winter is a suitable time to prune established currants and gooseberries, although the method varies according to the type of fruit and how it is being grown. Remove dead or damaged growth and prune according to the needs of the individual plant.
Many established bush and shrub roses can be pruned during their dormant period, although the best timing can vary with local conditions and rose type. In colder areas or exposed gardens, pruning can be left until later in winter or early spring.
On hellebores that flower from ground level, remove old foliage as the flower buds emerge. This makes the flowers easier to see and can help reduce the spread of hellebore leaf spot.
Leave useful standing stems and seedheads where they are still providing winter structure or food and shelter for wildlife. Remove collapsed, soggy or diseased growth where necessary, along with ornamental grass foliage that has been badly damaged by winter weather.
Inspect stored dahlia, begonia and canna tubers periodically through winter. Remove anything showing signs of rot and make sure the remainder are being kept frost-free and are not shrivelling excessively.
Cover a healthy, established rhubarb crown with a forcing pot or other light-excluding container to produce earlier, tender stems. Avoid forcing the same crown every year, as the process uses up the plant’s stored energy.
Remove yellowing or rotting leaves from winter brassicas such as kale and Brussels sprouts. Clear fallen leaves from around the plants too, particularly where they could provide shelter for pests or encourage disease.
Some crops and flowers can be sown in January if you have suitable protected growing conditions. Early sowings need enough warmth and, importantly, good light, so there is usually little advantage in starting tender plants too soon.
Use the quieter growing period to decide what you want to grow and where it will go. Planning crop rotations now can help avoid repeatedly growing related vegetables in the same ground and makes seed ordering and later sowing easier.
Before spring sowing gets under way, remove old plant debris and clean greenhouse glazing, staging and other surfaces. Cleaner glass allows more of the limited winter light to reach early seedlings and young plants.
Wash previously used pots, trays and propagators before they are needed for spring sowing. Removing old compost and plant debris gives new seedlings a cleaner start.
Winter winds can loosen stakes and ties or cause them to rub against trunks and branches. Check recently planted trees and shrubs and adjust supports where necessary.
Avoid walking over the lawn when the grass is frozen or covered in frost. Frozen grass blades are brittle and easily damaged underfoot, often leaving visible brown footprints once the lawn thaws.
After strong winds, heavy rain or snow, inspect trees, shrubs, climbers and garden structures for damage. Re-firm recently planted trees or shrubs if frost or wind has loosened them in the soil.
Natural food can become scarce during prolonged cold weather, so continue providing suitable high-energy food for garden birds. Clean feeders regularly to reduce the risk of disease spreading between visiting birds.
Keep bird baths and other shallow water sources topped up and break or remove ice during freezing weather. Birds need reliable access to water for both drinking and bathing throughout winter.
Avoid disturbing log piles, compost heaps and other sheltered areas unnecessarily during winter. Frogs, toads and other garden wildlife may be overwintering there, so check carefully before moving materials or carrying out major clearance.
January is a useful month for planning the growing year and getting ahead with winter planting, pruning and preparation for spring.
Visit us in Kington. You can find plants, seeds, tools and garden care products for your January gardening jobs, along with practical advice to help you plan for the season ahead.
