While January might appear to be a quiet month in the garden, an expert said it’s actually the perfect time to begin preparations for the year ahead.
Garden specialist James Ewens from Alexander Francis explained: “Winter can make quite an inhospitable environment for plants and wildlife, but believe it or not, January is a great time to start planning for the year ahead. The beginning of the year is all about preparation.”
He suggested creating a calendar to track planting schedules, particularly for seeds that will need sowing in the coming months.
With proper planning, January offers numerous opportunities to lay the groundwork for a successful gardening year. The expert recommended the below five jobs.
Now is the best time to plant some plants
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Pruning dormant plants
Winter pruning is ideal for dormant plants including apple trees, pear trees, roses and climbing plants like wisteria.
Preparing garden beds
Clear away dead foliage and weeds from flower beds and borders, then aerate the soil if it isn’t frozen.
Planting bare-root plants
January provides perfect conditions for planting bare-root shrubs, trees and roses while they’re dormant.
Adding organic matter
Enrich your soil by adding rotted manure or garden compost to vegetable plots and around perennial plants.
Organising seeds
Sort through your seed collection, checking expiry dates and preparing for early indoor sowing where possible.
Pruning should be carried out on milder days after freezing temperatures have passed, with particular attention to removing dead or diseased branches damaged by winter weather.
When preparing garden beds, thorough clearing prevents pest and disease problems. If conditions allow, gentle digging will help aerate the soil.
Adding a layer of compost or mulch helps retain moisture and keeps weeds at bay. For bare-root planting, James advised choosing a frost-free day and ensuring plants are well-watered after installation.
The expert said: “Bare-root plants are weather-hardy and tend to do well when planted in winter.”
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Tending to your garden now will result in a wonderful bloom as the year continues
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Adding organic matter in January helps prepare the soil for the growing season ahead. Winter rain aids in distributing nutrients throughout the soil structure.
For seed organisation, the expert recommended sorting by type and checking expiration dates before beginning any indoor sowing.
Seeds can be started indoors in containers to test germination rates, with subsequent thinning to promote the strongest seedlings.
Those without a greenhouse can create mini alternatives using recycled translucent containers to protect early sowings from frost.
The expert added: “January doesn’t have to mean putting away the gardening gloves until spring. With the right planning, January can be the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a blooming and abundant garden for the year ahead.”