January Gardening Fun: Tips from Barnsdale Gardens – Think the garden takes a nap in January? Nope! This is the perfect month to get your hands dirty (well, maybe gloved!) and prep for a spectacular 2025 growing season. Ready to dig in? Here’s how to keep your garden thriving, even in the chilliest of months.
Show Snow Who’s Boss!
If your garden is looking like a winter wonderland, it’s time for action! Shake off heavy snow from shrubs and conifers before the cold night air freezes it solid. Those fragile branches won’t thank you if they snap under the weight!
Give Grasses a Winter Trim
Some ornamental grasses might be looking more flop than fab. If their seed heads have seen better days, it’s time for a quick cut-back to keep your garden looking tidy and chic.
Start Summer Cabbages Indoors
Dreaming of fresh, homegrown cabbage this summer? Start sowing those seeds indoors! Grab a seed tray, plant thinly, and let them sprout. Soon, you’ll prick them out into modules, and before you know it, they’ll be garden ready.
Re-Firm Trees and Shrubs
All that wild, wet weather might have left your trees and shrubs wobbling. Once the ground dries a bit, give them some TLC. Use the heel of your boot to press the soil firmly around their roots—just enough to keep them steady and strong.
Inspect Stored Plants for Sneaky Diseases
Don’t let your stored tubers and corms—like Dahlias, Gladioli, and Begonias—fall victim to grey mold (Botrytis). Give them a once-over regularly. Spot trouble? Snip off any affected areas and save the day!
Sow Sweet Pea Seeds
Didn’t get to it last year? No problem! Sweet peas are still in play. Make eco-friendly seed tubes with newspaper, fill them with compost, and tuck a seed into each one. Bonus tip: Soak seeds in water overnight to boost germination. Sweet peas, here we come!
Start Hardy Perennials Indoors
If you’ve got a propagator, heated mat, or just a sunny windowsill, it’s time to sow those hardy perennial seeds. Barnsdale’s favourite hack? Use modules and aim for three seeds per cell. Cover with vermiculite or a thin layer of compost and provide gentle bottom heat at around 15°C (59°F). Your future Echinops will thank you!
There you have it! January might be chilly, but there’s plenty to keep you busy in the garden. Whether you’re shaking snow, starting seeds, or checking for mold, these tasks will set the stage for a vibrant, blooming year ahead.
Nick Hamilton ensures the 38 gardens are kept to the stunning standard for which they are renowned, these include a Cottage Garden, Versailles Garden, Wildlife Garden, the Allotment and many more so why not make a trip to Barnsdale Gardens while you’re at it? There’s always something to see and do, no matter the season!
Lilly Light