January Checklist

January at a glance

Around the garden:
-Ensure that birds have plenty of high energy food and water
-Continue with digging when soil conditions allow
-Cover the ground to keep out the wet
-Protect the plants that are vulnerable to wind and cold
-Aerate lawns to improve drainage
-Keep a small area of the pond free from ice to help keep the pond oxygenated
-Don’t let winter germinating plants take over

Trees, Shrubs & Climbers:
-Refirm newly planted trees and shrubs if raised by the frost
-Brush snow off trees and shrubs so that the branches do not break
-Check the supports of trees and shrubs
-Plant deciduous hedging
-Prune trees and shrubs to shape
-Prune wisteria and other vigorous climbers

Flowering plants:
-Clear damp leaves from the crown of plants
-Check forced bulbs for growth
-Sow sweet peas under cover

Kitchen garden:
-Chit early potatoes
-Protect fruit trees from bird damage
-Continue planting and winter-pruning of fruit
-Force rhubarb

*Last chance to…… Protect container plants from freezing

*Get ahead….. Send the lawnmower off for servicing