January

Garden Tasks for January

• Winter prune wisteria.  Cut last year's growth back to two or three buds. (The summer pruning is July-August)

• Prune rose bushes this month while they are still dormant, though not rambling roses which are normally pruned in late summer.  For more see the RHS guide. 

• Cut back ornamental grasses so that new growth will show. 

• Remove old hellebore leaves to expose the new blooms as they emerge in the spring.  Bin any leaves with black patches to reduce spread of leaf spot diseases.

• Prune apple and pear trees if not already done. 

• Plant bare-root fruit trees, roses and shrubs, unless the ground is frozen.

• Start sweet peas, salad seeds, cauliflowers, spring onions and spinach on a windowsill or in a greenhouse to get an early start.

• Trim back climbers before birds start nesting.

• Apply fertilizer around hedges and shrubs ready for their spring growth.