While January might not be the most inviting time to step outside, it’s one of the most important months for preparing your garden for the warmer seasons ahead. With the days still short and the weather chilly, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan, organise and get a head start on your summer garden goals.
Although it might seem too early to get your hands dirty, laying the groundwork now will help ensure a vibrant, blooming garden come spring and summer. From planning and planting to pruning and wildlife care, there are plenty of gardening jobs that can be done in January. Here are our top gardening tips to make the most of this quiet season.
Start the year off by deciding what you want your garden to look like. Are you dreaming of a colourful flower border, a vegetable patch, or perhaps a relaxing water feature? Use this time to sketch out a garden layout, decide on your planting schedule, and make a list of tools, seeds, and accessories you'll need.
Most flower bulbs should indeed be planted in autumn, but not all is lost if you missed that window. Tulips, daffodils, and even hyacinths can still be planted in January, especially in milder climates. While they may not grow as tall or bloom as robustly as those planted earlier, they’ll still bring colour to your spring garden.
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil and plant your bulbs as soon as possible to give them a fighting chance.
One of the most effective gardening tasks in January is pruning trees and bushes. During this dormant period, plants can be pruned back without stressing them or encouraging new growth that could be damaged by frost. Remove dead or diseased branches, shape overgrown plants, and get your garden looking tidy and neat.
It’s especially important to prune before March, as that’s when birds begin nesting. Keeping trees and hedges trimmed now avoids disturbing wildlife later.
January is also an ideal month for a deep clean of your gardening gear. Clean your pots, planters, greenhouses, and shed. Disinfect old pots to prevent the spread of disease and sweep up any lingering leaves or debris.
Don’t forget to check your rakes, hoes, cultivators, and other tools. If you’ve got piles of fallen leaves, gather them to create leaf mould, a great addition to compost. Store the leaves in a wire basket or a compost bin to let them decompose over the next few months.
If you have a greenhouse, now’s the time to start sowing sweet pea seeds or even begin propagating cuttings. Indoors, you can start tomato seeds on a sunny windowsill. These early starters will be well ahead by the time spring arrives.
If the ground outside isn’t frozen, you can also plant bare-root roses, shrubs, and even some trees. Just make sure the soil is workable and not waterlogged.
Wildlife needs our help in the cold months. Keep your feeders full of high-energy food like sunflower seeds, fat balls, and mealworms. Provide a fresh source of water that isn’t frozen, and consider installing nest boxes to encourage birds to stay in your garden as the breeding season approaches.
A wildlife-friendly garden not only benefits the environment but also brings life and beauty to your outdoor space.
January may feel like a sleepy month for gardening, but it’s the perfect time to get ahead. Whether you’re planning your garden design, planting late bulbs, or preparing your tools and spaces, the work you do now sets the stage for a stunning garden in spring and summer.
Want more inspiration for your garden? Check out our expert gardening guides for February, April, and May and browse our extensive Garden for essential tools, accessories, and equipment to get your garden growing.
