Gardening in January – a Handy Checklist for all Enthusiasts

Gardening enthusiasts cannot leave their passion project at the weather’s mercy, especially when they have big plans for the spring season. If you aren’t doing any garden care in January, the results will not be pretty in the coming months. Read More

Sure, this is a dormant winter month, but there’s still a lot you can do to protect your garden. Having a garden care plan for this cold month will keep your garden alive and prepare it for the coming spring season.

But if you’re unsure what to do for your plants and garden ornaments in January, we got you covered. Here’s a quick checklist you can follow to keep your garden alive and budding in this frigid weather: 

  1. Plant Tress 

Planting new trees in this frosty weather sounds impractical, but it’s, in fact, a yielding gardening practice. When you don’t let your garden soil freeze to death, and there’s life inside it germinating and budding, the upcoming months get more fruitful. You can plant multiple bare-root trees and shrubs in January that’ll need a few weeks to start sprouting. 

However, when you decide to plant new seeds in the garden, make sure the soil is not frozen or sodden. Wait for the extreme cold spell to pass and sow seeds once your garden seems ready for a change. If you notice snow build-up in the garden, hold your planting attempts for another few weeks. You should also use a layer of natural manure while planting these seeds to strengthen them in the dormant months. 

  • Grow Seeds on the Windowsills 

If your garden seems hard to work with, you can still show your love for sowing and planting. Use your greenhouse or window sills to grow seeds and move them to the garden when it’s time. You can grow early chops of lettuce, cabbage, salad onions, turnip, and spinach on the window sills and move them to the garden later. 

But, one thing you must consider for seed growth is their protection. Since pests and birds will forage on this vegetation, setting traps for them is mandatory. You should set mice traps and use a safe pesticide to keep slugs away from these budding seeds. 

  • Follow a Lawn Care Regime

Besides planting new seeds, taking care of the lawn grass and garden ornaments is another task you can do in January. This frigid weather can crack your granite garden ornaments, damage the planters, and leave the grass frozen. But luckily, a few quick steps can help you avoid these troubles.

Firstly, don’t walk on frozen grass because doing so will make grass blades brittle and sharper. And once the ice melts, you’ll see damage signs on the grass, something no gardener will like. Secondly, weed out dead plant matter and shrubs to help your garden breathe. Rotten mulch, leaves, and twigs collectively make your garden a germinating place for mould and insects; taking care of them is mandatory. 

  • Prevent Mould Growth 

Grey mould and brassica downy mildew can damage your plants during this weather; taking care of them is in your best interest. If you notice mould and mildew growth on your berries and vegetables, cut the infected plant parts to stop them. Ignoring this growth can severely damage your plants and inhibit their growth. Look out for any mould signs, and remove them right away to stop its impact. 

  • Winter Wildlife Care 

Water in your garden ornaments and birdbaths freezes in January, which impacts the birds that regularly visit your beautiful garden. Therefore, topping up the garden ornaments like birdbaths and birdfeeders is smart. Providing these visitors with food and water will keep your garden alive even in the freezing weather. 

Summing Up 

January garden care is a simple but rewarding activity. If you want your garden to blossom in the coming months, protect its soil, garden ornaments, and plants during the cold months. You can improve your garden’s condition by removing dead plant matter and giving its grass some space to breathe. Also, if you have a greenhouse or windowsills, you can grow vegetable seeds there and instantly add life to your garden after this harsh weather.