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This Month … In the Garden
JANUARY
JANUARY MAY SEEM LIKE THE COLDEST , LONGEST MONTH , BUT WE ’ RE GRADUALLY GETTING TOWARDS LONGER DAYS , AND LONGER DAYS MEAN GARDEN GROWTH . GIVE YOURSELF SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO , AND START MAKING PLANS THIS MONTH FOR HOW YOUR GARDEN SPACE WILL LOOK LATER IN THE YEAR . IT ’ S TIME TO FIND A GAP IN THE RAIN , GET OUT IN THE FRESH AIR AND ENSURE EVERYTHING IS READY AND IN ORDER ; THAT INCLUDES PROVIDING SHELTER FOR ALL THE WILDLIFE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR .
JANUARY ’ S TOP 5 TIPS : Recycle Your Christmas Tree
If you haven ’ t chosen to have your Christmas tree collected , and you don ’ t have access to a garden shredder , you can chop your tree up instead . Chop up your tree , stack it in the corner of the garden and , gradually over time , it will break down and disappear while also creating food and shelter for wildlife .
Tidy Up
• Use this time to empty any planted pots from last year and give them a good clean .
• If you have a greenhouse , January is the perfect time to give it a good clean ahead of the new year . Remove any algae , moss and grime build up inside and out ; this will improve your plants ' growing conditions .
Look After Wildlife
Gardens can be a safe place for wildlife during the colder months , so it ’ s essential to make sure you are doing the right thing .
• Start by stocking up your bird feeder and table ; at this time of year , birds will venture into the garden in search of food .
• Make a winter home for wildlife using dead wood or leaves ; this will provide a safe shelter .
• You can also start to plan the flowers you will add to your garden this year to welcome wildlife .
Dig Over Your Beds
Soil cultivation is essential for new growth , but it can sometimes seem like a back-breaking task . Start one bed at a time and work your way around the garden turning out the soil ; this will improve the structure and deter any weeds .
Pruning
January is the perfect time to have a good pruning session in the garden .
• Removing dead heads from winter flowering plants prevents them from setting seeds .
• Take charge of your wisteria and prune all the side shoots , ensuring to leave two-three buds ; this will promote flowering .
• Prune your rose bushes and climbers back to just above the bud and remove any dead foliage ; this will encourage plenty of blooms in the summer .
• Apple and pear trees can be pruned at this time of year , cut off any shoots that appear at the base and any dead branches – this will encourage a good crop later in the year .
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