January 25th, 2023 by Sarah Miles

5 garden jobs you can do now

Things are certainly not as busy in the garden over the colder months but there are still jobs that you can be doing that will really be beneficial and reap rewards later in the year.

Here are 5 types of garden jobs that you should be doing now:

1. Pruning

Pruning helps plants to grow better by eradicating dead and diseased parts of the plant and stimulating lateral shoot growth. Your blooms and crops will be much more impressive in the summer if you give them a cutback in the winter (now is the ideal time for many, while the plants are dormant).

Of course, not all plants can be pruned but roses, non-stone fruit trees, fruit bushes, and climbing plants can all be cut back. Herbaceous perennials can too but leave some foliage as it can provide shelter for wildlife when it’s cold. Be careful not to disturb any hibernating hedgehogs.

2. Planting

OK, so you can’t do too much planting outside in the early part of the year, but you can start many varieties of flowers and vegetables indoors in propagators or in greenhouses. However, winter onions can be planted directly outside, and will be milder than summer ones, and for bare-root trees and bushes, this is the perfect time to plant them while they are dormant. Just don’t try and put them in frozen ground.

3. Take care of existing plants

Hopefully, you will have taken steps in the autumn to protect more vulnerable plants, for example by covering them in horticultural fleece, covering roots with mulch, or moving them into sheds or greenhouses. Just check them through the winter to ensure that outdoor plants are still covered and that those moved indoors have sufficient water.

You can also feed the grass with iron sulphate. This will help it to grow strong, healthy blades and will also give it the vibrant green colour that all who take pride in their lawn seek. Apply it to the wet ground (or when rain is due) but don’t bother when the ground is frozen as it won’t be absorbed.

4. Monitor for damage

Harsh winter weather can damage a range of objects in the garden such as fence panels, plant containers, outdoor taps, and guttering, so keep checking on them regularly to monitor their state of repair. You can avoid a much greater problem later down the line by dealing with them in a timely way (for example, thawing out a frozen pipe before it bursts, or fixing a damaged fence panel before a storm comes and blows it down completely).

You may also want to check on outbuildings if they’re not being used as they can be prone to mould and mildew. If this is the case, consider remedial solutions such as insulation, moisture traps, or tubular heaters.

5. Spare a thought for wildlife

Birds and other garden animals can struggle to find food and shelter in the winter. Give them a hand by putting food out, making sure water is available (including breaking any ice on bird baths or ponds), and that there are areas of shelter for them if needed.