January

General

Continue weeding – our climate is becoming warmer and the weeds like it.

Remove old leaves from Hellebores.

Remove dead material from around plants – a potential hiding place for pests and diseases.

Check ties and supports for climbers.

Check tree ties and stakes and replace any that are broken. Loosen ties that are biting into the trunk.

Observe for signs of Rose rust and treat.

Repair and replace fences and trellis while plants are dormant.

Planting and Pruning

Plant deciduous trees and shrubs during milder spells; check that the ground is not frozen.

Check recent planting for frost damage – frost causes the ground to lift, creating air pockets around the roots – firm in.

Prune rose bushes to about a third. Cut out dead and diseased wood. Pull and twist off any suckers.

Prune Wisteria shoots shortened in the summer, see August, to two or three buds from the base of last year’s growth. In the spring, these will sprout and flower. It can take a number of years for a young Wisteria to flower.

Lawn

Do not walk on it if waterlogged or frozen.