What to do in your garden in January

Start the year with a bang and use this month to get your garden checklist ticked off.

Usually, January is the coldest month of the year (of course, there are exceptions). Use the this time when the garden appears dormant to tackle tasks you are yet to complete and prepare for the gardening year ahead. Get your FREE January checklist here*. 

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Below are some of the main jobs to do in your garden this January:

• Shop for colonising plants like Snowdrops and Hellebores –

By buying them now when they’re coming into flower, you can see what the specific varieties look like, and choose the best plants. Plant these now to establish new colonies for winters to come.

• Inspect plants for diseases –

Check your existing Hellebores for dark splodges on last year’s leaves. Remove and dispose of them to prevent the spread of leaf spot.

• Take hardwood cuttings – 

Woody, deciduous shrubs like Forsythia, Viburnum and Salix can be propagated by hardwood cuttings this month.

•  Deadhead bedding plants –

Keep on top of faded flower heads on Winter Pansies and other bedding plants with regular deadheading.

• Clean and sharpen tools –

Use time this month to clean hand tools such as secateurs and shears. Spray the metal parts with oil.

• Plant bare-root plants –

Before the soil gets too cold, plant roses, hedging and fruit trees – do not do this if the ground is too wet or frozen.

• Check young trees –

Regularly check tree ties to ensure they are not too loose or too tight. Make sure stakes are secure in the ground and remain fit for purpose.

• Tidy paths and patios – 

Sweep up soggy leaves from paths, patios, decks and steps, and wash off green algae to stop these areas from becoming slippery. Also, remove leaves and debris from gutters and shed roofs.

• Continue cutting down perennials – 

Cut down and clear any faded perennials that have gone over and gone mushy. Compost them or add them to your garden waste bin.

• Weed borders –

Continue to remove perennials and annual weeds.

• Clear and tidy your glasshouse –

• Discard damaged pots (or break up and use for “crocks”), sweep up debris and soil. This will limit potential habitats for pests to thrive in.
• Clean the glass to remove algae, moss and grime, to improve the growing environment by letting in more light.

• Check over-wintering plants –

• Regularly inspect plants that you have placed under protection for unwanted pests (e.g. aphids and mealybugs). Use biological control methods to control them or remove them by hand.
• Provide adequate ventilation on bright days to reduce humidity and allow good airflow and

• Mulch borders –

Continue to mulch borders before spring-flowering bulbs emerge from the soil. Use biodegradable mulches like bark chips, compost or straw.

• Wash pots and seed trays –

Prepare used seeds trays and plastic pots. Clean them with warm, soapy water to remove any diseases present, to allow you to reuse them for seed-sowing and potting on this year.

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If you are yet to get yourself a calendar for planning the year, have a look at my 2022 Gardener’s Calendar. With prompts to help you stay on top of your gardening and reminders of what to enjoy in your garden this month, it's the perfect place to record appointments and dates in too. It is available to buy from my shop now with 40% OFF.  Get yours here, or download your FREE January garden checklist here*.

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*PLEASE NOTE: By saving my FREE checklists, you agree not to sell, reproduce or alter the artwork in any way. You may not change the design or remove my tag "@talkingofplants".