My Garden Escape My Garden Escape

Your January Garden Jobs

January may be chilly, but it’s the perfect time to set your garden up for a flourishing year. Whether you're getting a head start on planning what to plant or you're ready to get your green fingers dirty, follow these expert steps and tips to plan, tidy and prep your outdoor space.

Shop the brand of the month, Hayloft Plants

Plan and Organise

  • Review last year's results: reflect on what grew well and what didn't - every space is different. Note any pests, diseases or weather challenges and keep a gardening journal to track successes and lessons learned
  • Sketch your garden layout by mapping out your beds, borders and containers. Make the most of online planning tools or even graph paper for an accurate map of your space
  • Research plants and seeds, choosing varieties suited to your soil and climate. Look for disease-resistant options and consider crop rotation for vegetables to make the most of the seasons. Top tip: check Royal Horticultural Society recommendations for reliable UK choices
  • Order your seeds and bulbs early. Popular varieties sell out quickly, so shop ahead and group orders with your neighbours to save on postage
  • Set monthly goals to break your bigger projects into manageable tasks. Add reminders to your calendar and prioritise jobs to be done before spring arrives

 

Tidy and Prepare

  • Clear away debris like fallen leaves, dead plants and weeds from your beds and borders. Compost healthy material and bin anything diseased
  • Prune dormant trees and shrubs, cutting back apples, pears and currants to encourage healthy growth. Use sharp, clean secateurs to help prevent damage and disease
  • Inspect for pests and diseases, in particular checking your stems, leaves and soil for any signs of trouble. Treat issues early with organic solutions where possible
  • Clean any hard surfaces. Sweep patios, paths and decking to prevent slips and moss build-up. Use a stiff brush for the best results
  • Protect your tender plants against harsh winter weather. Add mulch or fleece to vulnerable areas if frost is forecast and raise your pots off the ground to improve drainage
The plant type of the month, Hellebores
Shop the brand of the month, Hayloft Plants

Tools, Tidying and Seed Planting

  • Gather and inspect your tools, checking for rust, damage or wear. Replace or repair as needed. Clean and sharpen blades, wash off soil, sharpen edges and oil moving parts. Use a whetstone or file for sharpening and apply linseed oil to wooden handles
  • Organise your shed or storage, sorting tools, pots and supplies for easy access. Check your seed stocks, discard of any expired packets and make a list of what’s needed
  • Plan your sowing schedule: note which seeds need starting indoors and when to sow outdoors. Top tip: create a calendar or spreadsheet to stay organised
  • Dive in and sow your seeds early. A range of edible plants can be planted as early as January, provided the ground isn't frozen and certain varieties are covered or heated. Vegetables like chillies, aubergines, basil, onions and broad beans, plus fruits including strawberries, raspberries, loganberries, apples, gooseberries and blackcurrant can all be planted as early as January
  • Flowers, too, can be grown, including geraniums, sweet peas, dahlias, delphinium, begonias, petunias and Iceland poppies. Bare-root planting season falls from November to March, making January ideal for establishing any hardy bare root trees or shrubs: hawthorn, rowan and crab apples are perfect

You may also like

Show More Show Less

Check out our bestsellers

Show More Show Less