| If the January weather remains cold you may find | | | | down. If you've planted rhubarb then now is a |
| that there isn't much you can actually do outside | | | | good time to force it by placing a bucket over |
| especially if the ground remains frozen. With | | | | the top to encourage it to grow. |
| Christmas now over you will have finished with | | | | Borders |
| your Christmas tree, remember this can be | | | | It's now time to cut back any grasses or |
| recycled by garden centres and you may find | | | | perennials that you had growing over the winter. |
| that councils will also provide a recycling service. | | | | It's also time to cut off old leaves from any |
| Your Garden Lawns | | | | Hellebores you might have. This will leave any |
| Much the same as in December it is advisable to | | | | flowers it has produced in full view. Overall it's a |
| stay off your lawn if frosty. Look to repair any | | | | good time to simply maintain borders. |
| damaged edges the lawn may have. If the ground | | | | Pruning |
| isn't frozen then you may be able to lay any turf | | | | Now is the time to cut back any Wisteria that |
| you need to. If you have any hollows, these can | | | | you have, prune the side shoots which should |
| be filled. Cut and folding back, fill the gap with | | | | have been reduced by Summer pruning, to the |
| topsoil and then fold back again. | | | | point where there are only 2 or 3 buds. Try not |
| You're Greenhouse | | | | to cut any flower buds, you will find that these |
| Your greenhouse should be heated to around 5 | | | | are fatter than leaf buds. If you have climbers like |
| degrees C. Anything below this may cause a loss | | | | Ivy this can also be pruned to tidy them up. This |
| of your Fuchsias and Geraniums. Cleaning your | | | | will also remove any growth from around the |
| pots and seed trays is a dull but important job. | | | | roof or any window areas. |
| This will help reduce the risk of pests in your | | | | Birds |
| greenhouse. In the case of heavy snow | | | | During these cold winter months it's important to |
| remember to clear the greenhouse to allow | | | | keep your bird feeders and water baths stocked |
| maximum sunlight inside. | | | | up and filled. Leave larger pieces of food out for |
| The Vegetable Garden | | | | them. At present there isn't any danger of it |
| January is the perfect time to plan your | | | | being fed to younger birds. You will find that |
| vegetable garden for the coming year. One rule | | | | Robins and Starlings are especially thankful of this. |
| that you shouldn't forget is to rotate your crop | | | | Bits of cheese and pieces of bacon hung on string |
| ensuring that you don't try and grow vegetables | | | | are also favourites. If you want to give them |
| in the same area as you did last year. If you | | | | something else why not make your own food |
| haven't done so already then you need to dig | | | | balls, mix lard with nuts, oats, scraps and some |
| over your plot. You don't want heavy soil and so | | | | dried fruit. |
| turning it now will give frost time to break it | | | | |