Winter is a tricky time of year. One day is crisp and beautiful, then snow falls, swiftly followed by rain and wind. But there are still January garden jobs to be done if you are brave enough to go outside.
Apple and pear trees can be pruned in January. Apple, in particular, can get very large and January is a good time to get a tree back into shape.
Wisteria can be pruned by cutting back summer growth, leaving only just 2 or 3 buds, then look forward to the glorious display in summer.
Honeysuckle is another climber that stuns with its beautiful summer flowers and attendant bees. It can also become very bulky and sag away from the wall. Honeysuckle can be pruned very hard in winter, even back to the basic structure. Come the warm days it will spring back into life.
Rhododendrons and rose bushes can also be pruned back whilst they are still dormant in the depths of winter.
Now is also a good time to get garden machines serviced. Every year, when the grass needs its first cut, many gardeners find that their mowers have developed a fault over winter. Beat the rush and get your mower serviced now. Your local mower mechanic will be delighted.
As ever, if you would like some help with these jobs, that’s why we are here. We are trained and equipped to carry out your January garden jobs safely and tidily.
Finally, spare a thought for your non-human garden users. This is the toughest time of year for birds and small animals. Scattering peanuts, hanging up a bird feeder full of seeds and a string of fat balls can make all the difference to a whole range of birds and animals. They will repay you with constant activity. Everything from goldfinches to crows will descend upon the garden.