January Garden Jobs

January is a quieter month is the garden however there's still a few jobs that can be done to prepare for the upcoming season. Now is the time for clearing, preparing and planning.

Clean up your polytunnel

It's best to clean your polytunnel at least once a year. Over the winter months algae can build up on polytunnel plastic so it's a good idea to clean and organise your polytunnel now before the start of the growing season. Cleaning your polytunnel will not only prolong it's life, it will also reduce the incidence of disease in your growing space. Removing the build up of algae will also ensure your plants get all the light they need to grow. See our blog post for tips on how to clean your polytunnel.

Plan your rotation

January is a good time to review your crop rotation and decide what quantities to grow for the coming season by reflecting on what worked well last year, which crops resulted in a glut, and which underperformed or you just weren't a fan of. Effective crop rotations help prevent nutrient depletion, reduce the build-up of pests and diseases, and support weed control by interrupting life cycles, while also maintaining overall soil health. You can find more detailed guidance on planning a rotation in our blog post.

Chit early potatoes

If you are growing early potatoes in the polytunnel now is the time to start chitting them so they have enough time to develop strong, healthy sprouts before planting in February. The process involves placing seed potatoes in a light, frost-free location at around 8–10°C, arranging them in a single layer with most eyes facing upwards using egg boxes, seed trays, or shallow boxes. Allow them to form two to three short, sturdy chits measuring about 0.5–2 cm, which should be green or purple, as long, pale chits indicate insufficient light.

Get your pruning done

January can be a good time to carry out some winter pruning as most plants are dormant, this means reduced stress on the plant and also makes structure easier to see. Fruit trees such as apples and pears are commonly pruned now to shape the tree, remove dead or crossing branches, and encourage balanced growth and fruiting later in the year. Soft fruit bushes including currants and gooseberries should also be pruned, with older, less productive stems removed to improve airflow and light penetration. Many roses benefit from winter pruning in mild weather, cutting back stems to promote strong new shoots in spring. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs at this time, as their flower buds are already formed and would be removed. See our blog for more tips on winter pruning.

Take care of your tools

Now is the perfect time to give your tools a bit of TLC. You can repair any damage done to tools during the past growing season, broken handles can be replaced and dull blades can be sharpened or replaced as needed. You can also oil the wooden handles of tools, this will protect the wood and keep the tools looking great. We stock replacement handles for the majority of our tools and spare blades for the oscillating hoes and Felco pruners.

Get some seeds started

For people with a polytunnel or greenhouse some early sowing can begin, salads, aubergine and broccoli can be sown in January. Seedlings need to have adequate light and heat to grow into strong healthy plants, that's why using supplemental lighting and heat mats can be a good idea if your indoor environment cannot provide this.

We have a large variety of Organic open pollinated Vegetable, Flower, and Herb seeds. Browse the full range of seeds here. Bulk quantities are also available but not stocked - please email us to order.