Monthly Gardening Jobs & Advice
january

LAWNCARE

• Repair and re-shape lawn edges.
• Clear any remaining leaves and place on the compost heap.
• Make sure your lawnmower is serviced and any other lawn tools are clean and in good working order.
  

HOUSEPLANT CARE

• Continue to reduce the watering except on those plants which are growing vigorously or flowering.

JOBS TO DO IN THE GARDEN

• Check that all your winter frost protection is securely in place.
• Dig any vacant bed, borders or plots, which haven’t been dug already.
• Recycle your Christmas tree by shredding and then use as a mulch on the garden.
  

JOBS TO DO IN THE GREENHOUSE

• Check that heaters are working.
• Remember to ventilate the greenhouse on sunny days.
• Make a start cleaning down ready for the season ahead.
• Inspect Dahlia, Canna and Begonia tubers for rot or drying out.
  

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

• Plan your crop rotation for the coming season.
• Go through seed catalogues to pick the varieties for this season.
• Prune Apples and Pears.
• Apply winter wash to fruit trees and bushes.
• Prune Currants and Gooseberries especially new bush or cordons
• If ground is not waterlogged or frozen you can plant bare-root fruit trees.
• Continue to harvest Parsnips, Brussels, Turnips and Leeks.
  

WILDLIFE & BIRD CARE

• Put out food and water for the hungry birds – check daily and clean all feeders regularly. Throw out old food and replace with fresh.
• Check bonfires for hedgehogs, toads and frogs.
• Replace or clean bird boxes.
• Before turning the compost heap check for frogs, toads and other animals.
  

ANY OTHER ADVICE

• We can have gale-force winds, frost, snow and heavy rain during the next couple of months, so check you have plenty of stakes ties, fleece and other supports.

Enjoy your garden and don’t forget to take time and stop and stare at the wonder of nature. Happy gardening!