Top January Gardening Tips * Hamid Ali, Landscape Gardener and Horticulture Expert, Airtasker
- What are the most important garden jobs to get done in January?
In January, gardening in the UK is often quieter due to the cold weather, but there are still a few key tasks to help keep your garden in good shape and prepare for spring. This time is crucial in order to uplift the garden health to tremendous growth and here are the most important jobs:
- Pruning:
- Fruit trees: Winter is a good time to prune fruit trees like apple and pear trees, particularly those that need shaping or removing dead or diseased wood.
- Roses: Prune hybrid tea and floribunda roses to remove dead or damaged growth. Avoid heavy pruning of other types until spring.
- Clematis: Depending on the variety, some clematis can be pruned in January.
- Mulching: Apply mulch around trees, shrubs, and perennial beds to help protect roots from frost and to retain moisture.
- Tidy Up: Remove dead or rotting plant matter, including fallen leaves, which can create a breeding ground for pests and diseases. If the soil is not frozen, you can still do some light weeding.
- Winter Protection: Insulate vulnerable plants by covering them with fleece or cloches, particularly tender plants or new plantings.
- Wildlife Care: Keep bird feeders topped up and clean to support local wildlife through the cold months. You could also create or maintain a wildlife-friendly garden with shelter and food sources.
If the weather allows, these tasks can be quite enjoyable in the crisp winter air, and they will set you up for a thriving garden in spring.
- Can you cut back plants in January?
Yes, you can cut back specific plants in January in the UK, but it’s mostly for maintenance and tidying up. Suitable tasks include:
- Cutting back dead or damaged growth: Remove any dead stems, branches, or leaves, especially on herbaceous perennials or deciduous shrubs, for example roses
- Pruning certain trees: You can prune dormant trees like apple or pear trees or plane maple, as long as it’s not too cold, to shape them or remove damaged wood.
- Clearing old foliage: Clear away old, decaying leaves from plants like hostas or sedums to prevent disease.
However, avoid cutting back plants that are dormant or those with early spring blooms (like forsythia) to preserve flower buds.
- What plants should you not prune in January and why?
In January, you should avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, lilac, and flowering currant. For example, if you prune them, the sensitive cut part of plant will expose to harsh (cold) climate which would provide unfavourable conditions to grow, by this result plant get start dying from cut part. Pruning these plants in winter can remove flower buds that have already formed, reducing or eliminating blooms for the coming spring.
It’s best to wait until after they flower, usually in late spring or early summer, to prune them. Similarly, avoid pruning evergreens unless necessary, as they can be more susceptible to cold damage.
- Are there any specific ways of pruning that are best suited for winter?
In winter, when pruning in the UK, there are a few key methods to follow for optimal results:
- Focus on cleaning and maintenance: Winter is ideal for removing dead, diseased, or damaged wood from trees, shrubs, and perennials. This helps improve plant health and air circulation.
- Avoid heavy pruning: Winter pruning should generally be light, especially for deciduous plants. Heavy cuts can encourage tender new growth, which may be damaged by frost.
- Prune when the weather is dry: Prune on dry, mild days to reduce the risk of fungal infections and to prevent plants from being stressed by frost as we know once the cut portion exposed to unfavourable environments it get start dying from that part. But, there are certain plants which need certainly heavy cuttings to grow them in good shape or canopy.
- Cut to a bud or branch junction: Always prune just above a bud or where a branch meets another, making clean cuts to promote healthy growth.
- True Tool: Make sure use the sharp blade/scissors to cut the branches.
These practices help prevent cold damage and promote strong, healthy growth when spring arrives.
If you are unsure what plants you should and shouldn’t prune in winter, you can find an expert on Airtasker to help.
- What garden work can be done in winter?
In winter, gardening work is more about preparation and maintenance. Key tasks include:
- Pruning: Trim deciduous trees, shrubs, and perennials to promote healthy growth in spring.
- Cleaning Tools: Sharpen and clean garden tools to ensure they’re ready for the growing season.
- Soil Preparation: If the soil isn’t frozen, you can dig or add organic matter to improve soil for spring planting.
- Protect Plants: Mulch around plants to insulate roots from frost, or cover vulnerable plants with fleece or cloches.
- Plan for Spring: Order seeds, design your garden, and research new plants or techniques for the upcoming growing season.
Gardening in winter is often about maintenance and planning rather than planting, as the colder weather slows growth.
If you are unsure where to start, you can request Hamid’s expertise on Airtasker or search for skilled gardeners in your local area.