Jobs for January

​In order to be a good citizen by following the rules of Tier 4 - that is, stay at home and avoid people - I have found it to be a perfect opportunity to don my new posh wellies and throw myself energetically into all of those specific gardening jobs for January...

​Well, "energetically" is a bit of a reach, but you get the general gist!

image: www.julianaleewriter.com

Key tasks for January:

• Recycle Christmas trees by shredding for mulch
• Continue to feed and water birds
• Dig over any vacant plots that have not been dug already, and disperse worm casts in lawns
• Inspect stored tubers of Dahlia, Begonia and Canna for rot or drying out
• Prune apple and pear trees, as well as currant and gooseberry bushes, make a polythene shelter for outdoor peaches and nectarines, to protect against peach leaf curl, and start forcing rhubarb.
• Plant bare-root trees and bushes - as long as the soil isn't frozen.
• Plan vegetable plot and crop rotations for the coming season; ensure the same crops are not grown in the same beds as this will help to prevent a build-up of disease,

and

• To prevent fungal infection, ventilate the greenhouse on sunny days.

Sowing and planting:

• Sow seeds of Begonia, Lobelia, Salvia and Pelargonium in a heated greenhouse or propagator
• More Sweet Peas can be sown this month; those that were sown in the autumn can be potted on and should be placed so they receive plenty of light.
• Sow seeds that need frost in order to germinate e.g. native tree and shrub seeds, and alpine plants.
• Plant lily bulbs in pots and in borders during mild spells.
• Summer bulbs, seed potatoes and onion sets will be available to buy from mid-January.
• Onion seed can also be sown in a heated propagator.
• Sow broad beans in pots in mild areas, placing them in a cold frame or unheated greenhouse.
• The following seeds can be sown indoors for early crops:  lettuces, summer brassicas, such as cabbages and cauliflowers, spinach, salad onions and turnips.

Cleaning, Cutting and General Maintenance:

• Cultivate and prepare seed beds by covering with clear polythene, cloches or fleece to warm up the soil before sowing
• Cut back old brown grasses and the old leaves from Hellebores and thus reveal the flowers. Take root cuttings from perennial poppies (Papaver), Verbascum (mullein), Acanthus and Phlox.
• Tidy up any containers and pots by cutting back plants, and layer mulch
• Fuchsia and Pelargonium need a minimum temperature of 5°C (41°F) otherwise the cold and frost are likely to kill them.
• Clean greenhouses ready for spring and check insulation - or at least add some!
• Remove snow from greenhouse roof to prevent damage and to also allow good light penetration.
• Clear leaves and twigs from guttering on greenhouses and sheds.
• Clean and wash pots and seed trays in preparation for spring’s onslaught. Thorough cleaning reduces pest and disease problems, hence reducing the possibility of any propagation and sowing issues.

Come on - get moving!!