January Gardening Jobs
While January is a rather cold and unforgiving month, where most gardeners like to stay inside by the fire, some of us have unfortunately made New Year's resolutions to spend even more time outside in the garden. This is despite the fact we already work outside and spend a vast proportion of our waking hours under the sky...
So, with these unfortunate resolutions in mind, we need to find ourselves a few jobs to get on with so we feel like we're getting ahead of the curve (or, in my case, simply keeping up with the resolution).
Plants to Plant
So long as the ground isn't frozen solid, you can get going with the hedge you've always wanted to run along the back of the garden.
You can go straight in with cheap and cheerful bare root plants ("But how close do I plant them?" I hear you say. Follow this link!). If, however, you need instant gratification, choose slightly larger potted or root-ball hedging plants, which generally establish quicker and are often stronger plants to begin with.
Planting them now gives them a chance to develop roots while dormant, with very little maintenance on your part. Please do remember to start watering once spring and summer arrive, as they will need a bit more support during their first few years.
Now is also an excellent time to plant dormant deciduous shrubs, especially those with good spring colour. That way, you won't have long to wait before you can start enjoying them. A personal favourite has to be the delicate toned spring foliage of pretty much any Cotinus.
These colder, wetter months are also the best time to plant trees. A small ornamental tree can help create focal points within your garden while also providing a place for bird feeders, refuge for insects and, as it grows, shade... if we ever happen to see the sun, that is.
Roses are best planted now too, especially if they are bare root. Our roses are potted, but as with almost all potted roses, they are rarely particularly well rooted within the pot. Plant them in the ground now and let them get established before the growing season begins.
I particularly love the old-fashioned feel of Rosa 'Margaret Merril'.
Seeds to Sow
I'm sure almost every garden blogger and seed seller shouts about sowing aubergines, tomatoes and peppers as early as possible in January.
I personally take a rather different view. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
I find they are actually far better sown in a few months' time. I sow my own crop during the first week of March. There simply isn't enough light at the moment for them to thrive and, after all, where do most of us keep them?
On the windowsill above a radiator? Leggy, weak seedlings.
On the kitchen windowsill? In everyone's way... and still leggy, weak seedlings.
In an unheated greenhouse? Frozen seedlings.
You get the picture.
There's not enough light, and most of us keep our homes far too warm for healthy seedling growth, which encourages them to stretch into skinny, weak plants. Very few people have access to a heated greenhouse or, luckier still, a warm conservatory, so what's the point in sowing seeds now that will actually be happier if started later?
Nevertheless, if you are absolutely determined to sow some summer vegetables now, you can get away with aubergines and chillies towards the end of the month, as they are generally less likely to suffer than tomatoes and peppers from an early sowing.
