January 2025
Prepping for the year ahead
If you’re keen to get outside and get ahead despite the frozen ground, there’s still plenty of jobs that can be done at this time of year.
Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
Protect any plants vulnerable to snow, cold & wind with fleece or plant jackets. Move pots under cover or to a more sheltered position if possible.
Clean and service lawnmowers & tools.
Sort, stock & organise everything you need for seed sowing.
Ensure birds have a supply of food and unfrozen water during the winter months.
Hardy annuals can be sown under cover now, if you didn’t sow them in autumn. Some warmth will speed up germination, but it’s not essential.
Check any stored dahlias or crops occasionally for signs of disease or rot. Remove any signs to prevent it spreading.
Remove settled snow from any plants bending that may break or cause damage their structure.
Cover any areas of ground with cloches or fleece that you’re planning to sow into early. This will keep it drier and warmer.
Chit early seed potatoes.
Crops such as leeks, onions, broad beans, spinach & carrots can be sown now under cover.
Force rhubarb plants for early and tender stems.
Keep deadheading winter bedding to prolong flowering.
Remove old or large leaves from hellebores to reveal the flower buds.
Winter prune roses whilst they are dormant. Cut back to an outward facing bud. The exception is rambling roses which should be pruned during the summer.
Prune wisteria to two or three buds along the lateral stems.
Apples & pears can be winter pruned - start with the three D’s - removing dead, diseased or damaged wood.
Keep paths and plant crowns free of leaves - add these to the compost.