January in the Garden

Welcome 2026! January has arrived in the garden with cold mornings and long, low light. The air stills, and although the soil may lie dormant, there’s always something to enjoy and prepare for. This is the month of quiet productivity a chance to plan, protect, prune, and set the tone for the coming year.

What to Do in the Garden in January

• Prune Dormant Trees and Shrubs - With leaves gone and structure revealed, January is ideal for pruning deciduous trees and fruit bushes. Tackle your apple, pear, currant and gooseberry canes now to encourage healthy new growth when spring arrives.

• Force Rhubarb for Early Harvest - Cover the crowns of your rhubarb with pots or light-proof containers to encourage early shoots a lovely treat for late winter desserts and crumbles, I mean I don't like Rhubarb but you do you.

• Plant Bare-Root Trees and Shrubs - If the ground isn’t frozen, bare-root fruit trees and hardy shrubs can be planted now. The benefit of doing this in winter is that roots establish ahead of spring’s growth surge.

• Sow Seeds Under Cover - For growers with a greenhouse or heated propagator, January is the time to get sowing, I am thinking onions, brassicas, and tender annuals. A little indoor sowing now means an earlier start later. I am going to be sowing lots of cut flowers too.

• Tidy and Maintain - Cold weather makes a perfect excuse to clean and organise your tools, shed, and greenhouse. Sharpen secateurs, wash pots, sweep out debris so you’re ready for the busier months ahead because before we know it they will be upon us.

• Look After Wildlife - Winter is tough for garden visitors. Keep bird feeders topped up with food and ensure shallow water sources stay ice-free. Installing bird boxes now also prepares for spring nesting. Note to self on the bird box install!

• Mulch and Protect - Spread mulch on borders to insulate roots and suppress early weeds. If frosts strike hard, protective fleece or hessian over tender plants will make all the difference. But if you don't get chance, do not worry, this can also be done in spring too.

• Check Bulbs and Containers - Inspect winter bulbs, I thought I had done all the protecting but these cheeky squirrels/mice have still managed to sneak into my tulip pots... even with my homemade chicken wire cloche. The cloche has stayed intact but they have either been putting their hands through the gaps in the wire or its a little mouse that can fit through the holes. Either way additional protection has been added following a recommendation from one of the gardeners I work with... when you prune your roses to protect from wind damage, use the off cuts to use on to tops of your tulip pots. I feel like they have never had some much protection, here's hoping this final protection works! Oh and I added hot chilli powder on Boxing Day but this enticed them even more! Breathe!

  
  

What’s Happening in the Garden

Even in deep winter, there’s life stirring:

• Berries brighten the scene — holly, pyracantha, and cotoneaster add splashes of colour and feed for birds.

• Winter flowers may peep through — snowdrops, crocus and winter aconite are often the first sign that spring is near. I did peep some of these just before Christmas eek!

• Wildlife remains active — robins, tits and wrens forage for food, reminding us that the garden never truly sleeps.

  
  

Final Thoughts

January in the garden is a blend of reflection and forward motion. It’s a quieter month, yes but one filled with hopeful beginnings and practical steps that will pay off as the year unfolds. Wrap up warm, take time to savour the winter light, and enjoy laying the groundwork for another season of growth.

All my love, love from Donna 🌷