January is a busy month for gardeners, with plenty to do to prepare for spring and support wildlife in your garden
City: Your garden is buzzing with activity this January. Fallen leaves and old plant bits might be cluttering up your corners, so it’s time to tidy up. Gather that mess and toss it into the compost heap.
But wait! Some of those stiff stems and seed pods are like a buffet for our garden birds during winter. So, let’s leave some of those for our feathered friends.
If your planters are looking a bit sad, why not perk them up with some growing bulbs? It’s a quick fix that can really brighten things up.
Most garden centers have a great selection of early bloomers like crocus, snowdrops, and tiny narcissi. If you let them die back naturally, they’ll come back even stronger next year!
This month, you can also find lovely primroses and winter pansies to add some cheerful color to your planters.
Frosts are actually a gardener’s best buddy. Many seasoned gardeners use the cold to their advantage by turning over the soil, letting the frost break it up naturally.
If you have spots that get waterlogged, poke some holes in the ground with a fork. This helps the frost work its magic and improves drainage.
Applying mulch early in the year is a smart move. It protects roots and keeps weeds at bay by blocking light from reaching weed seeds.
Don’t forget about our garden birds! They need extra food to prepare for nesting season. Treat them to some nutritious nuts, seeds, and suet to help them through the chilly weather.
And in freezing temps, make sure to leave out some water for them. If you put the water dish under your bird table, it’ll stay ice-free longer.
Speaking of birds, the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch is happening this weekend. It’s a great way to help the environment, and the more people who join in, the better the info we get!
For more details on how to participate, check out rspb.org.uk.
Now, let’s talk about planning for the year ahead. Starting with seeds is the most cost-effective way to grow a fantastic vegetable and flower crop in summer. It might seem a bit intimidating if you’re new to it, but trust me, the satisfaction you’ll feel when you see the results is worth it!
Always choose seeds from a reputable source. The quality of your seeds really does affect what you’ll harvest. Remember, you reap what you sow!
If you’re short on space, try to stagger your sowing. Create a little timetable for when to plant each type of seed.
Keeping a gardening diary is also a great idea. Jot down your sowing dates, what varieties you’ve planted, and how things turn out. You might think you’ll remember, but trust me, it’s super helpful!
If you need a hand with sowing seeds, check out merryhatton.co.uk/gardening-made-easy/seed-sowing-success.
And while you can’t plant seed potatoes just yet, you can get them ready by encouraging their stems to grow. This process, called ‘chitting,’ gives them a head start when it’s time to plant.
For more info on growing potatoes, visit merryhatton.co.uk/news/136/explaining-seed-potatoes.
So, don’t think of January as a slow month for gardening. It’s actually a fantastic time to get ahead and plan for a bountiful garden in the months to come.
Even though we can only cover so much in this column, our plant team is always here to help with your questions. There’s loads of helpful advice on our website at merryhatton.co.uk.
The Plant Team, Merryhatton Garden Centre
