“January is the quietest month in the garden … But just because it looks quiet doesn’t mean that nothing is happening.” Gardening in January is one of my favourite times. It’s true, on the surface there isn’t much going on, but there’s a clean, elegant simplicity. I can see the bare bones of my garden without the distraction of all the lush flora and foliage of the other months. And I can make my plans for the year to come. So, what gardening can you do in January?
What to do in the garden in January
As it’s the beginning of a new year in the garden, I thought I’d approach my monthly garden diary updates a little differently too. And break them down into more helpful sections that people might be looking for. Of course I’m no expert, and this garden blog series only relates to my garden. But still, I hope the new structure and my January gardening tips will be more user friendly for anyone who stumbles across my blog 🙂
Winter flowering plants in January
Some of the best winter flowering plants I know are hellebores. These are perennial winter garden plants and, once established, will come back year after year. A big win as far as I’m concerned is they only need minimal attention too. You just need to prune away the previous year’s old leaves at the beginning of January to give the newly emerging buds plenty of light and air.
Another winter favourite is the hardy yet graceful snowdrop. I must confess, ours took a while to naturalise in the orchard but there seem to be more and more of them every year. And they’re also scented, with a delicate honey fragrance that’s lovely in a bedside posy.
If you’re looking for more outdoor winter plants that not only look good but smell wonderful too, I can recommend a Daphne odora. Her pale pink perfumed flowers look stunning against the glossy dark green foliage. And one of my recent additions is this glorious hamamelis (winter hazel) whose bright yellow candy tuft blooms throw a fragrance out of all proportion to their size. She’s only a youngster at the moment but should grow up to over 4m in time.
When you’re planning a garden, it’s important to choose some winter flowering shrubs to give your outside space some structure and colour when all else has died back or goes dormant. We love our two skimmias, one red and one white. And as soon as the buds open up, the bees will be ALL over both of them, so we’re providing a vital food source as well.
Recently I’ve started coming back to planting in pots. Partly because they’re a good way of switching up seasonal colour, and partly because when the plants die back, I can hide the pots behind the shed. So, some good winter plants for pots are yellow tete-a-tetes, purple iris reticulata, and cyclamen (as featured in my December garden post and my Instagram).
Lastly, if you’re wondering what flowers to plant in January, the good news is it’s not too late to plant some tulips for later spring colour, but do be quick 🙂
What to do in the vegetable garden in January
Regular readers of my garden diary updates will know my success with vegetables is a bit hit and miss. And that extends to winter vegetables to grow too. This month, for example, we only have a few tiny potatoes to collect, and some sprouting broccoli that the pigeons haven’t got around to ravaging. Flora’s garlic, on the other hand, is doing well, although it’s too early to harvest that as yet.
However, it’s not too early to sow some broad beans into Rootrainers to encourage nice long taproots, ready for planting out in due course. Broad beans, as well as being delicious, are quite hardy and will tolerate low temperatures, so they’ll be absolutely fine in our greenhouse. Which leads me on quite nicely to…
Garden maintenance in January
First up on my January garden to do list is to delegate the cleaning of our winter greenhouse to my lovely husband, who always does a fabulous job (!) Light levels are lower in winter, so it’s important to clean all the accumulated green guck from both the inside and outside of the glass panes.
Other January garden jobs include sorting out my seeds, throwing old out of date ones out, and buying in new ones for sowing later this year. And replacing the grease band on our plum tree to guard against the wingless female winter moths climbing up tree trunks and laying eggs in the new plums in spring. We also need to feed our vegetable beds by digging in some chicken manure pellets. And then mulch them over with all the bags of Strulch currently sitting in the greenhouse (straw + mulch = Strulch).
One of my connections over on LinkedIn recently asked me about the best time to prune hydrangeas. I tend to wait until the end of January or early February. By leaving on the old flowers over winter, you’re providing protection to the developing buds during any cold snaps or frosts. And if you’re wondering what to plant in January, then providing the ground isn’t frozen, now’s an excellent time to plant bare root roses. Bare root plants are MUCH cheaper than potted plants, which is great if you’re on a budget after the festive excesses!
Wildlife gardening jobs for January
Much as I love both winter and gardening in January, it’s one of the hardest months for wildlife. In fact, it’s an absolutely vital month for feeding the birds. Alan tops all our bird feeders up with quality bird seed every day, and hangs out some high energy fat balls too.
I wrote last month about what to do if you have a pond and how to deal with the water when it freezes, but I’ll quickly recap here. A couple of footballs in the water will prevent a solid edge-to-edge ice sheet forming so any frogs, newts, or fish won’t suffocate. And please, don’t shatter the ice as that will send shock waves through the water, and alarm any hibernating amphibians or fish, or even kill them. Hold a saucepan of boiling water on the ice for a few minutes to melt it instead. And hold off clearing out any accumulated debris from the pond depths too, because that’s where the frogs and newts hibernate.
Gardening in January – a summary
So, as I said at the start of this January garden update, I’m taking a different approach to my garden blogs this year. And I hope in this first garden post of 2021, in my own little way, I’ve been able to answer questions such as:
- What should I do this month in the garden?
- What can I plant in my garden in January?
- What should I do in my garden in January?
But I know many of my regular readers also enjoy seeing what’s flowering, fruiting, and growing in our garden on a monthly basis and I don’t want that to change. Because for me, gardening has so many mental and physical health benefits, despite Nature’s ups and downs. And I love sharing the excitement I always feel when something I’ve planted grows into its full potential. So I’m definitely going to continue sharing these experiences this year. And I very much hope you’ll continue to enjoy your monthly virtual visits to our garden throughout 2021 as well.
I’d love to know what you think of the new format of these garden posts – have you found it helpful? Is there anything you’d like to know more about? Do you have any particular January garden questions that I haven’t answered?
* This post features affiliate links but all opinions are my own (see my disclaimer).
Honestly, your garden posts inspire me so much! I’m so looking forward to having my own garden and bringing it to life – and know that I will be trawling back through your old posts to figure out what I should be doing. Great update!
Oh Lindsey, thank you so much, what a lovely thing to say! I’m so glad you enjoy them, I’m no expert but I do love getting my hands dirty 🙂
I need to go snowdrop hunting, but we’re only allowed to walk locally (i.e. within the village). Mind you, they’ll be under a few inches of snow at the moment!
Absolutely, all of ours were peeking through a white blanket yesterday, so pretty!
When I looked outside yesterday morning and saw the snow, your gardeners quote from a previous post, instantly came to me.
How good is that?
I did too – talk about serendipity, the timing was spot on!
Lisa I have to say I adore your garden and your garden posts. I always picture your garden as the Secret Garden from the book, simply beautiful. I also loved your Snowdrops! They look so pretty.
Hannah, that is the loveliest thing to say, The Secret Garden was one of my favourite books and your comment makes me SO happy, thank you!
I really love these garden posts! you have an amazing garden and would love to have some outdoor space too! I loved the colours of the Daphne Odora and Irises. But most of all you have the cutest cats! Thanks for sharing Lisa x
Thank you, that’s so kind, we are very lucky. And ha, indeed they are, as well as being inveterate photo bombers! x
Beautiful flowers blooming in your garden this January. Thank you for taking me on a virtual tour. I love looking at your garden. Keep on the good work.
Thank you, Fadima, that’s so kind, I will try!
Very interesting post. Lots of beautiful flowers and great tips
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
So Inspiring. The garden is not somewhere I think to spend time in January, yet there is so much that can be done out there in winter
Thank you – and yes, it’s rather a lovely time to be a gardener – albeit a little chilly!
I would love to sit in your garden with you and have a cuppa. Your garden posts always make me pause and think for a while!
Rosie
That is just wonderful to hear, thank you so much Rosie!
What a beautiful garden! I love when you share all your tips and what you’ve been doing to the garden xx
Thank you, Della, I’m glad they’re useful! x
Always enjoy your garden posts Lisa and I love how you find the beauty in every season! Most people would assume that January and Winter isn’t the time for gardening and let their own gardens just die and overgrow. The snowdrops are my favourite – they’re so delicate and pretty! xxx
Thank you, Jenny, that’s very kind – I do think every season has it’s own beauty so I’m thrilled that’s come across. And good choice, snowdrops are so pretty! xx
I like the changes you’ve made to your post Lisa. I think you have a real talent for writing about your garden and you can clearly see it’s because it is something you enjoy so much.
Enjoy the snowdrops, they are my favourite!
Thank you so much, Claire, that’s very kind of you to say so – they are among my favourite posts to write, so I’m glad it shows! x
Those snowdrops are such pretty flowers, I love reading your garden posts Lisa! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Indeed they are – thank you, Lucy! x
Really enjoyed reading this! Last year was the first year that I’d grown vegetables with varying degrees of success. I’ve also sorted my seeds and planned when I’ll be planting them all. I need to prune some of the trees and bushes whilst they’re dormant too! Good luck with your gardening this year!
Oh, congratulations on your veg success, it’s one of my goals this year too. It sounds like you’re a keen gardener as well as me – or at least a very organised one!
Your garden posts are always so lovely and you take amazing photos too! Your snowdrops are so aesthetically pleasing. I loveeeee them!
Thank you, Ruth, it’s all down to Nature, and my Samsung phone camera!
Your garden truly looks beautiful all year round Lisa! The snowdrops are particularly pretty! I’ve just moved into my first house and it has a small garden. Unfortunately, it has decking and AstroTurf rather than real grass. Would you recommend any plants that can be put into pots to make it look more welcoming?
Thanks,
Eve x
Thank you, Eve, that’s very kind 🙂 The good thing about pots is you can grow almost anything because you can choose your soil. So acid soil for camellias, holly, azaleas and alkaline soil for lilies, lavender, salvias, for example. And your possibilities for seasonal bulbs are endless – narcissi, tulips, alliums, gladioli, nerines. Or you could grow a couple of bay trees in pots too. Just check what plants need full sun or partial shade, and whether they can survive the winter frosts – good luck! x
Your garden looks lovely with all the flowers in January, cannot believe there are alredy snowdrops.
Also little lake looks amazing. Thanks for sharing the experiences.
Thank you – yes, everything is flowering earlier this year, which is a bonus.
Always enjoy reading posts about your garden. I feel like the more time you spend in the garden and working on it, the more you become friends with nature. Like understanding more aspects of it and things like that.
That is EXACTLY how I feel about our garden, thank you, Jack, you’re spot on!
I did not plant anything in winter, as I was busy with other stuff and it was cold. But I would love to take care of the garden from, well, next month. 🙂
Your tips are very useful and I will check them again in the future. I think it’s amazing how many flowers you have in bloom in January. I was expecting only snowdrops, as that is the only January flower I know.
Thank you, Anca – yes, January is a strange month, you’d think nothing would flower but if you pick the right plants, there’s actually a lot that can give colour and life to a garden 🙂
I love that you are utilizing these garden updates in a new way! January is a time to get ready for the planting season for us. I am happy to say we sorted our seeds into the monthly to-plant piles. I am also hoping to finish wooding our beds as soon as the rain/snow is over too!
The daphne odora sounds like a beautiful flower; I love gentle colors and moving scents.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Jaya, I’m really hoping they’ll be more user-friendly 🙂 And wow, go you, you are very organised already, that’s great!
I used to love snowdrops growing up! I distinctly remember seeing these gorgeous white beauties while hiking through the forest and thinking – spring is finally here. They are so delicate and pretty. But honestly, all I do in my garden over winter is plant some bare root rose bushes. You are right, they are so much cheaper than potted, but they do require a little bit of forethought and patience! Thanks for a wonderful post, Lisa.
I’ve been a bit remiss on roses this winter but I have plans for a fairly major garden overhaul this year and possibly a dedicated rose bed so I’ll be following my own advice in due course! Thank you, Katerina, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post.
Oh wow, I love your garden updates! So many pretty flowers even in the winter!
Thank you so much, and yes, we are lucky!
I love the format and I have garden envy. It’s full winter in Toronto with a big snowfall coming today (15cm) so the garden here is quite dormant. I’m looking forward to the blooms of spring. Cheers!
Thank you, Mark – and wow, that’s quite the snowfall! But the good news is snow is an insulator so your garden should be fine 🙂
I can’t believe how nice your garden looks this time of year. My yard is covered under several feet of snow right now. That and my puppy digs random holes everywhere so it’s not looking as good as yours for sure. And such a cute cat.
Thank you, Brooke, I have to say I’m selective over what photos I post though, there are part of our garden that certainly aren’t very pretty either!
I always look forward to your monthly garden posts and they seem even more special during the winter! I love the new format and all the information you provide. I love the photos! Thanks for sharing.
Aw, thank you, Jodie, that’s so kind – and I’m so pleased you like the new format!
Great post and I love how you’ve now included tips! The photos are really good and snowdrops are so nice! Thank you for sharing this and looking forward to seeing what next month brings!
Thank you so much, I’m so glad you like the new format!
Thank you so much for sharing these great tips, and I love your photos as well! I’m moving next week to a house with a garden – I’ve lived in flats for the last 5 years so I’m so excited to finally have my own garden! I’ll definitely be using your blog for some ideas.
Oh, how exciting to be getting a proper garden! I lived in a first floor flat for 15 years so when we moved to our house I was like a kid in a sweet shop – good luck with your new garden, and have fun!
I absolutely love your garden it’s so beautiful !
I love some tulips, makes so much sense to plant them now for spring !
Thank you for sharing !
Thank you so much – glad to find a fellow tulip lover!
I love your garden Lisa! It is so beautiful and so relaxing to see. I’ve given growing vegetables in our garden a try as well but so far not having the best of luck growing anything except a few baby leaves. i am hopeful it will flourish though. if not, I will try again.
Liz
http://www.piecesofliz.com
Cut and come salad leaves are pretty easy to manage, even in winter, but if you can, try some broad beans or French beans as they’re pretty hardy too!
Your garden looks so nice. I’m definitely learning a lot from this post. Can’t wait to have my own garden in the future.
Antonia || Sweet Passions
Thank you very much, I hope you can have a garden soon 🙂
you have a very beautiful garden and I loved reading about it xx great work x
Thank you so much, that’s very kind 🙂
I love your garden posts, I’ve been looking for some inspiration about winter plants as my garden currently looks so bare, although my daffodils have already come up!! I’m going to look into getting hellebore and snowdrops 🙂 Also, your cats are beautiful 🙂 xx
Thank you, Holly! We have daffodils coming up too although none have flowered yet. And yes, definitely get some snowdrops in the green to plant out for flowers next year, and some hellebores to plant out now – the flowers will last until April if you’re lucky! xx
I love the new format of your garden posts because I love seeing what’s growing in your garden & the tips will be helpful!
Thank you so much, that’s great to hear!
Your garden always manages to look pretty whatever the season Lisa. I will be referring back to all your garden posts when I have my own place so I know where to begin as I would love to have a pretty garden. Thank you for sharing Lisa.
Lauren
Aw, thank you, Lauren, that’s such a lovely thing to say! Can’t wait to see what you plant in your future garden xx
We have a serious lack of colour this time of year – everything is just white from snow. However, I have considered planting a couple of potted plants that could come indoors to add a little comfort to the home during the winter months and then move back outdoors when the snow finally melts and reveals our backyard and garden once again. With snow preventing me from doing any real gardening, January is the month that I start planning out what I’ll be planting in my vegetable garden in the coming year.
That’s the beauty of potted plants, you can move them around to suit the weather. Some evergreen shrubs like skimmias or heathers would probably work well, as long as they don’t get too warm indoors. At least you’re getting organised for the months ahead though 🙂
Is that a skeleton in your garden? What does the cat think about that? Love this, unfortunately our garden is under a metre of snow.
Ha, yes, it is – every garden should have one! And all our cats are quite happy to share his bench when the sun’s out 🙂
I love spending time in my garden. Most recently, my hydrangeas started turning yellow but I’m guessing it’s because of the sudden cold weather here in Florida. Hopefully, I can get them to bloom beautifully in the spring! I’ll be following your tips for the vegetable garden since I want to start one soon! I love your page!
Yellow leaves could be caused by a lack of nutrients, especially nitrogen, in the soil too – you could try digging in some plant nutrient pellets and giving the soil a good soak to see if that helps? And thank you, that’s very kind!
What a gorgeous garden! Sadly my space is all hard-standing, though I plan on getting some tubs.
Tubs are great, you can switch up your plants as you choose!
I love that even in January, your garden is still flourishing with all of these different flowers and food!! I am sucker for casual cats chilling in the background hahaha. It is so cool that broccolis are sprouting! You don’t mess around with your garden. Love the new format you’re including as well!
Nancy ✨
Thank you so much, Nancy – and yes, our cats are past masters at photobombing, haha!
Thanks for sharing what has been going on in your garden this last month, I’m so happy the snowdrops are out 🙂
I know, Spring is on her way!
I loved being able to see so many gorgeous flowers blooming in your garden mid-winter. Your post was also a great reminder that there is so much we can do right now to prepare for spring gardening!
Thank you, Heidi, I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂