Vegetable Garden
- Prevent soil around root vegetables from freezing by covering it with fleece or a thin layer of straw. This protects your veggies from winter's chill.
- Dig empty beds to break up soil and uncover pests for hungry birds and wildlife. This natural pest control helps maintain a balanced garden ecosystem.
- Pick Brussels sprouts, spinach, beets, cabbages, and savoys. If frost permits, lift celery, leeks, parsnips, and Jerusalem artichokes. Inspect stored autumn vegetables for pests or rot.
- Start planning your vegetable plot and adopt the crop rotation method for a healthier, more productive garden.
- Finish digging over remaining vegetable plots, allowing the soil to break up naturally over winter for easy cultivation in the spring.
- Start off French beans, early maturing cauliflowers, onions, and lettuce indoors for a head start on a late spring harvest.
- Force rhubarb outdoors by covering crowns with straw and a large clay forcing pot. Feed with Ecoworm Soil Extract in the spring.
- Remove yellowing leaves from winter brassicas to eliminate hiding spots for pests and diseases.
- Enjoy fresh herbs indoors by potting a small piece of mint, thyme, or marjoram. Fresh shoots will soon appear.
- Prepare the ground for early peas by placing a cloche over the soil to warm it up before sowing.
Fruit Garden
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Examine stored apples and pears, removing any showing signs of deterioration. Prune autumn fruiting raspberries by cutting back canes.
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Prune fruit trees, check tree stakes, and plant bare root trees and bushes if the weather permits.
Lawn
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Sharpen mower blades for the upcoming season and brush off remaining leaves to prevent weed growth and moss invasion.
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Avoid walking on the lawn when frosty to prevent damage to grass blades.
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Spike waterlogged areas with a hand fork for improved drainage. Aerate lawns on heavy clay or compacted soil to prevent waterlogging.
Trees & Shrubs
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Plant bare root trees, roses, and shrubs in mild weather. Stake tall trees and shrubs to protect them from cold winds.
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Shake off heavy snow from trees and shrubs, especially evergreens, to prevent branches from breaking or losing shape.
Flower Garden
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Sow half-hardy annuals under cover to get a jumpstart on your flower garden.
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Check stored bulbs like dahlia tubers and gladiolus corms for signs of rot or mold. Prune wisterias and dormant rose bushes.
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Deadhead winter pansies, cut back ornamental grasses, and tidy up perennials by cutting down old stems.
Embrace these January gardening tasks to set the stage for a year of vibrant blooms and bountiful harvests! 🌼