IT may be cold outside so you’re not spending much time there – but that doesn’t mean you should neglect your garden altogether.
The experts at RHS, the Royal Horticultural Society, have revealed the top three jobs we should all be doing this January, plus other top tips of winter-proofing your outside space.
According to them, although January is often the coldest month of the year, it’s also a key time in the garden.
They explained: “January might be the middle of winter but as the days lengthen, the garden starts to grow.
“Now is a great time to plan for the coming gardening year and to order seeds and plants.”
That leads them on to their first piece of garden guidance – and it’s all to do with getting plots prepared.
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They urged people to start digging over any “vacant plots that have not been dug already” to get them ready for plants in the future.
They went on to say: “Soil cultivation or digging may be hard work but, if taken slowly, it need not be back-breaking.”
However, they added a warning, explaining that “digging around plants is best avoided as it damages roots and so can be harmful.”
RHS’ next piece of advice is continuing with the preparation theme, as they say January is the time to “clean pots and greenhouses ready for Spring.”
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They continued: “Cleaning greenhouses, whether glass or plastic, greatly improves the growing environment for plants.
“By removing the algae, moss and grime it lets in more light and helps control pests and diseases too.”
Meanwhile, their final top three tip is something that many people won’t have thought of.
They say the next few weeks are the ideal time to prune apple and pear trees.
And while many people will probably have been putting this job off as they don’t know where to start, the RHS say there’s nothing to worry about.
They explained: “Pruning an apple or pear tree can be daunting for many gardeners.”
However, they then lifted the lid on their easy technique – “rather than be put off completely or panic and inadvertently harm the tree back by excessive pruning.”
They then shared: “Prune your apple or pear tree in winter, when the leaves are off the tree.
“Aim to take between 10-20% of the overall canopy off in any one winter.
“Work around the tree evenly and keep an eye on your pruning pile.
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“If it's looking a little big, STOP – you can always go back next year and do some more.”
The RHS concluded that gardeners should think of pruning as “a thinning out process” rather than a “haircut” and that people should “focus on areas where the growth seems more crowded.”
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