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  4. January

January in the Garden

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Gardening in January

January is the start of an exciting new year in the garden. The weather may be cold, but if you look, you can see the first signs of spring outdoors, with bulbs poking up out of the ground and the days growing ever so slightly longer. Indoors there are seeds to sow, and January is also an ideal month to plant bare-root shrubs and trees. It’s time to get ready for a great year of gardening.

What to plant and do in January?

So, what should you do in the garden in January? Get your gardening year off to a good start this month - whether you’re planning for a garden full of flowers this year or looking forward to huge harvests of tasty fruit and vegetables, choose a category that interests you and read our top gardening tips for January.

  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Ornamental plants
Cucumbers

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)

Delicious in salads and sandwiches, the crisp, sweet crunch of a cucumber is one of the joys of summer.

Read more about Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
Peas

Peas (Pisum sativum)

Nothing beats home-grown peas for their tenderness and taste.

Read more about Peas (Pisum sativum)
How to grow onions

Onions (Allium cepa)

Onions (Allium cepa) are an essential ingredient in every cook’s store cupboard.

Read more about Onions (Allium cepa)
how to grow courgettes

Courgettes (Cucurbita pepo)

Courgettes are a common summer staple in the vegetable garden.

Read more about Courgettes (Cucurbita pepo)
How to grow runner beans

Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus)

Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus) are among the easiest and most rewarding vegetables to grow.

Read more about Runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus)
growing salad leaves

Salad leaves (various)

Grow your own salad and you can pick exactly how much you want and need.

Read more about Salad leaves (various)
growing sweetcorn

Sweetcorn (Zea mays)

Sweetcorn, or maize, is sweet, tender and delicious – especially when cooked as soon as it is picked. Plenty of sun and...

Read more about Sweetcorn (Zea mays)
how to grow spring onions

Spring onions (Scallion)

Spring onions are a delicious addition to a whole range of dishes, from summer salads to stir-fries.

Read more about Spring onions (Scallion)
How to grow potatoes

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are tubers that grow and form at the plant’s roots.

Read more about Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
How to grow tomatoes

Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum)

Nothing beats the taste of your own home-grown tomatoes, freshly-picked and warm from the summer sun.

Read more about Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum)
How to grow garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic is the base of so many delicious dishes, and growing garlic at home is now very popular.

Read more about Garlic (Allium sativum)
How to grow pumpkins

Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata)

Delicious in pies, soups and stews, and full of vitamins and minerals, pumpkins are a tasty autumn and winter treat.

Read more about Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata)
How to Grow Lupins

Lupins (Lupinus)

Lupins are a traditional addition to any garden, providing colourful flowers from late spring through to mid-summer.

Read more about Lupins (Lupinus)
How to Grow French Beans

French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

French beans are a versatile vegetable, producing attractive, long, thin pods, and creamy haricot beans.

Read more about French beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
How to grow and care for Cavolo Nero

Cavolo Nero (Lacinato kale)

‘Cavolo Nero’ is a variety of kale, closely related to broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.

Read more about Cavolo Nero (Lacinato kale)
How to grow and care for Rocket salad leaves

Rocket (Eruca vesicaria)

Salad rocket, like its name, is a fast-growing salad leaf, perfect for adding a peppery spiciness to your salads.

Read more about Rocket (Eruca vesicaria)
How to grow and care for Chard

Chard (Beta vulgaris)

Chard, or Swiss Chard, is a delicious and beautiful plant which will bring harvests to the kitchen and colour to the...

Read more about Chard (Beta vulgaris)
How to grow sorrel

Sorrel (Rumex)

Sorrel is a great substitute for spinach, with a similar texture but a sharper citrus flavour.

Read more about Sorrel (Rumex)
How to grow sugar snap peas

Sugar snap peas (Pisum sativum)

​Sugar snap peas are a deliciously sweet, fun and quick-cropping vegetable to grow.

Read more about Sugar snap peas (Pisum sativum)
Sections of harvested horseradish root and grated horseradish on a wooden table

Horseradish

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a hardy perennial known for its hot and peppery roots, widely used in cooking and...

Read more about Horseradish
how to grow strawberries

Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)

If you’re a strawberry fan, the many varieties of ‘Fragaria × ananassa’ are easy to grow at home.

Read more about Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)
How to grow raspberries

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus)

What could be better than a bowl of sweet, freshly-picked raspberries in summer?

Read more about Raspberries (Rubus idaeus)
How to grow blueberries

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium angustifolium)

Eaten fresh, baked in muffins or as the star attraction in jams or desserts, blueberries are always delicious.

Read more about Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium angustifolium)
Avocado

Avocado (Persea americana)

Avocados are a favourite fruit used in kitchens around the world - why not try planting the stone to grow your own?

Read more about Avocado (Persea americana)
How to Grow Banana Plants

Banana (Ensete, Musa)

With their exotic and enormous foliage, banana plants add a taste of the tropics to the garden.

Read more about Banana (Ensete, Musa)
How to grow butternut squash

Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata)

Butternut squash are a late season favourite, with attractive fruits which will keep well throughout the autumn and...

Read more about Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata)
How to grow and care for peaches

Peach (Prunus persica)

What better way to round off a summer meal than with a luscious peach? Even better, a peach you’ve grown yourself!

Read more about Peach (Prunus persica)
How to grow and care for mango trees

Mango (Mangifera indica)

Everyone loves mangoes, but did you know that you can grow a mango tree from a seed?

Read more about Mango (Mangifera indica)
How to grow and care for cherry trees

Cherry (Prunus subg. Cerasus, Prunus sect. Microcerasus)

Cherry trees are truly beautiful, with different species offering gorgeous flowers, bark, leaves, and fruit. You can...

Read more about Cherry (Prunus subg. Cerasus, Prunus sect. Microcerasus)
 Close-up of ripe figs on fig tree branch.

Fig Tree

Fig trees (Ficus carica) are Mediterranean natives that thrive in climates with hot, dry summers and cool winters...

Read more about Fig Tree
How to grow sunflowers

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

If you want to grow something spectacular, plant sunflowers.

Read more about Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Caring for Alliums

Allium

Alliums belong to the same family as onions, garlic and leeks, as you can tell from the scent when you crush the foliage...

Read more about Allium
how to grow sweet peas

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus)

Sweet peas are an incredibly popular summer climbing plant. They produce masses of flowers all summer long.

Read more about Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus)
Pink Peony

Peony (Paeonia)

These stunning plants provide a captivating elegance to a border. Large colourful flowers flourish in late spring and...

Read more about Peony (Paeonia)
Salvias

Salvia

There are over 900 distinct species of Salvia, providing a huge range of smells and vivacious colours.

Read more about Salvia
How to grow and care for Geums

Geum

Pretty and delicate, Geums provide colour throughout the summer. They are frost tolerant, happy in a range of soil types...

Read more about Geum
How to grow and care for Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

Most Honeysuckles have a sweet heady summer fragrance and are very beneficial to garden wildlife.

Read more about Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
How to grow and care for Helenium

Helenium

Bearing bold flowers in orange, red and yellow, Heleniums are a bright and cheerful addition to the garden border.

Read more about Helenium
How to grow and care for Nerine bulbs

Nerine

Perfect for autumn colour, the brightly coloured Nerine is a great addition to a sun-soaked border. They can also be...

Read more about Nerine
How to grow and care for Violas

Pansies and violets (Viola)

The Viola is an adaptable low growing bedding plant coming in both classic and trailing varieties.

Read more about Pansies and violets (Viola)
How to grow and care for Cosmos

Cosmos

Cosmos, also known as ‘Mexican Aster’, is a great low maintenance and long flowering annual.

Read more about Cosmos
How to grow and care for Snapdragons

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)

Coming in a range of colours and sizes, Snapdragons bloom from June through to October on tall spire stems.

Read more about Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus)
How to grow and care for Anemone

Anemone

Anemones are a cheerful and vibrant group of plants, providing interest from early spring onwards.

Read more about Anemone
How to plant a tree

How to plant a tree

A well planted tree will live for decades, providing endless benefits to the environment and wildlife.

Read more about How to plant a tree
How to grow and care for Sedums | Love The Garden

Sedum

Plants in the Sedum genus are easy to grow, produce lots of nectar for pollinators, and provide lovely autumn colour.

Read more about Sedum
How to grow and care for Calathea

Calathea (Calathea)

Calathea do have a reputation of being tricky to grow, but these challenges are well worth mastering

Read more about Calathea (Calathea)
How to grow and care for Hostas

Hostas (Hosta)

Hostas are usually grown for their beautiful leaves, with the attractive foliage coming in various shades of green, blue...

Read more about Hostas (Hosta)

Vegetables

What vegetables to plant in January

Even in January there are still vegetables to sow, and luckily this is something you can do indoors where it’s warm and dry. If you don’t have a greenhouse, it’s worth investing in a windowsill propagator with a heated mat to get warmth-loving seeds off to a good start. Here are some vegetables to sow in January:

Sow indoors or in the greenhouse:

  • Celery
  • Celeriac
  • Broad beans
  • Salad leaves
  • Spinach
  • Spring onions
  • Turnips

Chit first early potatoes by leaving them in a bright, frost-free place for a few weeks to sprout shoots.

What Vegetables to harvest in January

Wrap up warm and head out to your vegetable bed to pick some winter vegetables for soups and stews. Vegetables to harvest in January include:

  • Parsnips
  • Leeks
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Swede
  • Celeriac
  • Turnips

Vegetable plant maintenance in January

  • Put cloches down to warm the soil for early seed sowings.
  • Remove any yellowing leaves from Brussels sprouts, kale and other brassicas, as they can harbour pests.
  • If you haven’t mulched your vegetable beds yet, there’s still time to do it. Spread a thick (5cm/2in) layer of well-rotted farmyard manure, compost or other mulch over the beds to improve soil structure and nutrient levels.
  • Buy your tomato and chilli pepper seeds now, as you’ll need to start sowing them in a few weeks’ time
  • Towards the end of the month, order first and second early seed potatoes.

Fruit

What fruit to plant in January

Provided the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen, January is a good month for planting fruit trees and fruit bushes. The plants are in their dormant state, so planting them now gives the roots time to settle in and establish themselves before growth starts again in spring.

You can often buy fruit trees and bushes as bare root plants in January, which is a very cost-effective solution if you’re intending to grow lots of fruit this year. If you are planning to plant bare root fruit trees or bushes, prepare the ground ahead of time and plant the bare root plants as soon as you get them, to avoid the roots drying out.

These fruit trees and bushes can all be planted in January:

  • Blackcurrants
  • Redcurrants
  • Whitecurrants
  • Raspberries
  • Gooseberries
  • Blueberries
  • Bare root fruit trees

Fruit plant maintenance in January

  • If you have several rhubarb plants, force a few of them by putting a cover (an upturned bucket will do) over the crowns to stimulate them into producing sweet, tender juicy stems in early spring.
  • Prune apple and pear trees now, but leave cherries, plums and apricots until summer to avoid the risk of disease.
  • Prune blackcurrants, redcurrants and gooseberries.
  • Prune autumn-fruiting raspberries, cutting all last year’s stems to ground level.
  • Cover wall-trained peaches with a ‘tent’ of polythene to protect against peach leaf curl disease.

Ornamental plants

What flowers and bulbs to plant in January

At this time of year, most of the flower and bulb planting goes on indoors, but there are still a few flowers to plant outdoors in January, especially if your garden needs some winter colour.

Plant outdoors:

  • Hellebores
  • Snowdrops in flower

Sow indoors in a propagator

  • Antirrhinums (snapdragons)
  • Lobelia
  • Sweet peas

What flowers to prune in January

  • Wisteria: give this climber its winter prune in late January, cutting back last year’s summer growth to 2-3 buds from the main framework.

Flower maintenance in January

  • Remove old hellebore foliage, to stop the spread of hellebore black spot and make the flowers easier to see.
  • Deadhead winter bedding such as violas to promote a second flush of flowers in early spring.
  • Keep deadheading winter-flowering pansies to ensure they flower during mild weather.
  • Clear away any old soggy leaves from perennials, but leave a few dead stems standing to provide homes for overwintering wildlife.
  • Cut back the dead leaves from deciduous ornamental grasses like Calamagrostis and Deschampsia. Wait until early spring to cut back Miscanthus and Pennisetum, which need a bit more protection from winter frosts.
  • If you’ve had pots of forced daffodils and hyacinths flowering indoors over winter, leave them somewhere bright until the foliage dies back, then store the bulbs in a frost-free place for replanting next autumn. The hyacinth bulbs can also be planted outside now, and should flower again in a year’s time.
Things to do this month
Walk your garden to see which plants are in flower - there are often some surprises!
Insulate outdoor containers from frost - bubblewrap works well.
Raise containers onto pot feet to prevent waterlogging if you haven’t already done it.
Avoid walking on frosty or snow-covered lawns, as this can damage the grass.
Keep bird feeders topped up and defrost bird baths
Use a garden shredder to turn the branches of your Christmas tree into garden mulch, and chop up the trunk to make a log pile for wildlife.
Clean your garden tools and get them serviced if they need it.
Check any stored vegetables and summer bulbs (for example dahlias) and discard any that are mouldy or starting to rot.
Keep an eye on your indoor plants, as central heating can often make the atmosphere too dry for them. Mist plants regularly or stand pots on a tray filled with pebbles and topped up with water.
Brush snow off the roofs of greenhouses and conservatories so that plants can get all the available light.
Plant bare root shrubs and roses.
If you haven’t pruned your climbing roses yet, do it now, cutting back last year’s flowered side shoots by a third of their length.
Keep feeding wild birds with high-energy bird foods to keep up their strength through the winter.
Make sure wild birds have access to unfrozen water to drink and bathe in.
You can still move deciduous small trees, shrubs and climbers growing in the wrong place.
Clean old pots and seed trays, so that they’re ready for seed sowing in spring.
Melt an area of ice on frozen ponds to allow fish to breathe.
Check your mower blade and either replace it with a new one or have it sharpened.
On mild days, treat fences and other wooden structures with a wood preservative.
Use a weed-control membrane when planting up new beds to help keep them weed free.
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