Get out in the garden on any dry and bright sunny days! It is great for our wellbeing and an effective way to get active after the Christmas indulgence! January is an exciting time to plan for the coming gardening year ahead.
Check Your Winter Protection
- When there is a risk of frost, use fleece to cover tender plants.
- Check that supports and ties are still in place after severe weather.
- Add a layer of mulch around the roots to help the soil structure and moisture. If you are unsure which plants need protection and how to protect them, come in and have a chat with our plant team.
Planting and Preparation
- As long as the ground isn’t frozen, you can begin planting bare-root rose bushes and shrubs. These are often more cost-effective than pot-grown plants and establish quickly during their dormant phase.
- Winter is the perfect time to identify empty spaces in your garden for new plants.
- Our selection of potted bulbs such as Crocuses, Daffodils, and Tulips have already been carefully grown through the first stages of development. Plant them directly into the ground, or into pots and containers, to enjoy wonderful colour as the weather warms. These are currently 3 for £13.
- Check for rot on stored bulbs and tubers and ensure Dahlia and Canna tubers have not totally dried out.
Maintenance and Care
- Trim the old leaves of Hellebores to enhance flower visibility and prevent the spread of Hellebore leaf spots, a fungal disease.
- Practice crop rotation in your vegetable patch or allotment to maximise productivity and health. This prevents the build-up of pests and diseases and improves soil fertility.
- Prune apple and pear tree side shoots to encourage new growth, improve tree shape and health, and prevent disease.
- For an early crop of tender, pink rhubarb, cover the plants with a bucket or terracotta pot to block out light, making the stalks ready to pull two to three weeks earlier than uncovered crowns. After forcing, leave the crowns to recover for the rest of the season.
Greenhouse Preparation
- Prepare your greenhouse for spring to improve the growing environment. Remove any algae or moss to ensure enough light can get through. Clearing up will also help control disease and unwanted pests.
- If possible, install a thermostatically controlled electric fan heater to prevent the temperature from dropping too low. Also, ventilate on sunny days to prevent humidity from building up.
- Clean and sharpen all gardening tools for a productive season.
Houseplant Care
- During the colder months, central heating can dry out houseplants quickly. Keep the soil moist, but not over-watered and soggy. Check daily if your plants need a drink by putting a finger into the soil. Use a water mist to increase humidity if appropriate.
- Move houseplants to a sunny windowsill to get as much light as possible.
Caring for Wildlife
- Enjoy watching the birds in your garden while caring for wildlife. Keep bird feeders topped up with high-energy bird food to support them over winter. You can buy fat balls and a vast selection of seed, grain, and feeders from our pet shop.
- Keep bird baths filled with fresh water, and on frosty days, add a little warm water to melt the ice.