What to do in January
- Select winter flowering plants for pollinators, e.g. Mahonia, Sarcoccoca, or Daphne. These early flowers provide a valuable source of nectar.
- Plant bare root or container grown summer or autumn raspberries (but avoid planting in waterlogged or frozen soil)
- Keep birdbaths from freezing by floating a small object such as a ball.
- Prune apple and pear trees. Remove dead and damaged wood first then shorten the previous years growth on main branches by a third. Cut away shoots in the centre to create an open space.
- Start saving containers for seed sowing. Plastic yogurt pots, margarine tubs and fruit punnets can provide a range of sizes for use as seed trays. Wash thoroughly and add drainage holes.
- Seed potatoes now now be “chitted”. Place in trays or egg boxes. Store in a light airy frost free spot.
- Prune Wisteria this month or next. Shorten the same shoots that were pruned in the summer back to two or three buds from old wood.
- Inspect stored tubers such as cannas or dahlia for signs of rot. Throw ot soft or unhealthy ones. Do not place in the compost bin.
