Often the coldest month

January might be the middle of winter but as the days lengthen the garden starts to grow. Now is a great time to plan for the coming gardening year and to order seeds and plants. Enjoy the fresh air on dry sunny days, and check your winter protection, stakes, ties and supports are still working after any severe weather. Also put out food for birds and leave some garden areas uncut for a little longer, to provide shelter for wildlife in your garden.

Top gardening jobs this month

1. Prune apple and pear trees

Pruning an apple or pear tree can be daunting for many gardeners. Rather than be put off completely or panic and inadvertently harm the tree back by excessive pruning, instead try our easy guide and enjoy a well-shaped, productive tree.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/apples/pruning-made-easy

2. Clean pots and greenhouses ready for spring

Cleaning greenhouses, whether glass or plastic, greatly improves the growing environment for plants. By removing the algae, moss and grime it lets in more light and helps control pests and diseases too.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/garden-features/cleaning-greenhouses

3. Keep an eye on watering houseplants

Indoor heating is very drying for houseplants, so check them regularly to make sure they are kept just moist, and not allowed to dry out.

More jobs for this month

4. Plant now to boost the winter fragrance in your garden
5. Inspect stored tubers of dahlia, begonia and canna for rots or drying out
6. Keep an eye on figs and olives & guard against frost by covering with sacking or old fleece in frost
7. Start forcing rhubarb
8. Plan your vegetable crop rotations for the coming season
9. Keep putting out food and water for hungry birds
10. Cut off hellebore leaves at the base to discourage black spot disease and show off the flowers

Reproduced with Permissions from https://www.rhs.org.uk/