Some January advice from our Andrew


Feeling like getting out in the garden today to do some jobs...here are some of Andrew’s tips for what to do in your garden now.

  • Harvest Brussel sprouts, carrots, leeks, parsnips and winter cabbages
  • Begin chitting (which is another word for sprouting – to chit is to cause (a potato) to sprout by placing it in a cool light place) early potatoes and place them in a bright, cool, frost-free place. When shoots begin to sprout pinch out all except for two or three.
  • Avoid pruning apricot, cherry and plum trees until the summer because pruning them now will make them susceptible to silver leaf infections
  • If you have a vegetable garden start planning what you want to grow now to ensure good crop rotation and prevent pests and diseases from building up in the soil
  • Consider installing a water butt to help collect water ready for use in the summer
  • Check any fruit or vegetables you are storing and remove any that are diseased
  • Inspect any begonia, canna or dahlia tubers you have in storage for signs of rot or drying out
  • Continue clearing paths and repairing any tools
  • If the soil is workable, start hoeing to prevent weeds
  • Make sure any containers you have undercover haven’t dried out and check any evergreens in pots are also watered
  • At the end of the month if you like to use organic fertiliser such as bonemeal then add it to fruit trees and shrubs. This can be done by removing any mulch, feeding around the roots, watering and renewing the mulch
  • Houseplants should be kept away from radiators and close to a window so they can benefit from natural light.
For more information about gardening in January, please do get in touch and don’t forget Andrew is more than happy to answer your queries.

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