RHS jobs to do in January
January: The coldest month
In January, your garden could need protecting from frosts, gale-force winds and heavy rain. Check stakes, ties, fleeces and other supports for damage and consider moving plants to sunnier positions to maximize light. Don’t forget to keep feeding the birds, food is scarce for them over winter. You can also start planning next year’s vegetable plot.
Top 10 jobs this month
- Recycle your Christmas tree by shredding it for mulch
- Ventilate the greenhouse on sunny days
- Dig over any vacant plots that have not been dug already
- Repair and re-shape lawn edges
- Inspect stored tubers of Dahlia, Begonia and Canna for rots or drying out
- Prune apple and pear trees
- Start forcing rhubarb
- Plan your vegetable crop rotations for the coming season
- Keep putting out food and water for hungry birds
- Prepare a polythene shelter for outdoor peaches and nectarines, to protect them from peach leaf curl