January Gardening Tips Newsletter

Here are my January Gardening Tips to keep you busy in the garden while the weather is nice!

January might not be the best time of the year for spending much time in the garden. On a fine winter's day, though, I really enjoy getting outside for a few hours doing a bit of tidying, pruning, and transplanting. We recently had quite a few of these sunny but cold days.

I am not one for an extreme garden tidy up and we always try to leave enough corners untouched to provide homes for garden wildlife. A healthy wildlife population provides pollinators and predators for garden pests.
I put together a few tips on how to support wildlife in your garden. Check it out here.

On the not so nice days of winter, I like to use to go through all my garden seeds. They usually can do with being sorted out after a busy gardening season! Always check for the date on the seed packet. The germination rate is not as good when the seed gets too old. Some seeds like e.g. parsnips needs to be really fresh. Nothing is more frustrating than sowing ...and nothing comes up!

January Gardening Tips

Tip 1: Sort And Check Your Seed Box

I use a biodynamic calendar for sowing seeds. It groups vegetables and flowers in different groups (root, flower, fruit, leaf). I like to organize the seeds into these groups which makes it really easy for sowing.

Here is how I do this.

Tip 2: Study Seed Catalogues And Order Seeds

After sorting out your seeds you will have an idea what you will need to order for the coming season. Studying seed catalogs is one of the best ways to spend the long winter evenings! It is time to order the seeds for the coming season! Yay!

Tip 3: Use A Hotbed To Start Seeds Early

Do you want to start your seeds early in your greenhouse...but it is still too cold?

Set up a hotbed with horse manure! It will generate enough heat for starting seeds, especially cold tolerant ones like kale, turnip or winter lettuce.

Tip 4: Chit Early Seed Potatoes

Chit your early seed potatoes now in a cool but bright spot. They can either be planted in the greenhouse or under fleece outside in mild areas.

You will have a nice early crop of potatoes!

What Else Is There To Do In The Garden In January?

• prune roses, shrubs and fruit trees
• check plants overwintering in the glasshouse or conservatories for pests and diseases
• remove snow from glasshouses and polytunnels
• remove heavy snow from evergreens and other shrubs
• check fruit and vegetables in storage for rot and pests like mice
• keep feeding birds
• take cuttings and divide perennials on frost free days
• plant bare root trees, fruit, roses and hedging
• transplant trees and shrubs
• divide and transplant perennials
  

More Gardening Tips For January ...

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