...January in the Garden
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Local Weather:
Current conditions
Foggy
9°C
Forecast
friday
friday
Showers
High: 11°C
Low: 8°C
Forecast
saturday
saturday
Scattered thunderstorms
High: 14°C
Low: 8°C
GENERAL JOBS IN THE GARDEN-
Continue with the winter digging when the weather conditions allow.
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Protect any vulnerable plants against cold and wind if not already done.
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Make sure there is an area on the pond that is free from ice.
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Ensure that there is food and water for the birds.
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Clean and disinfect all seed trays and pots.
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Restock canes, pots, netting, seed trays etc.
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Make sure tools are oiled and cleaned.
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Take time out to tidy shed, greenhouse and any storage areas.
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Take time to look back over the year and assess failures and successes.
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Clear damp leaves from paths and patios.
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Add an organic fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone which will release their nutrients slowly over a long period.
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Sow sweet peas in long sweet pea tubes available from garden centre.
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Inspect stored dahlia tubers. Any that are showing signs of rotting should be removed.
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Plant bare root trees and shrubs.
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Plant deciduous hedging plants.
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Prune wisteria. Shorten summer pruned long shoots back to two or three shoots.
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Keep climbers in check.
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Purchase summer flowering bulbs.
STAR PLANTS IN THE GARDEN IN JANUARY
CHRISTMAS BOX ( Sarococca hookeriana var. digyna)- Evergreen shrub bearing clusters of fragrant, white flowers with pink anthers.
HEATHER ( Erica carnea “Springwood White”)- Robust slightly trailing evergreen shrub covered at this time in small dense white flowers.
WINTER ACONITE ( Eranthis hyemalis)- Hardy perennial with bright yellow flowers.
WITCH HAZEL ( Hammelis intermedia “Arnold Promise”)- A deciduous shrub whose bare branches are covered with fragrant yellow flowers.
SKIMMIA ( Skimmia Japonica) – Evergreen shrub producing clusters of pink buds that open to produce scented white flowers.
SNOWDROPS ( Galanthus plicatus subsp. Byzantinus) – Hardy perennial bulb bearing nodding white scented flowers with green markings.
ROSEBUD CHERRY ( Prunus x subhirtella “ Autumnalis Rosea” )- Decidous tree bearing small pale pink flowers.
CORNUS- Dogwoods include some outstanding deciduous shrubs. Grown for their brightly coloured leafless stems, providing a colourful display in winter.
THE VEGETABLE AND FRUIT GARDEN
VEGETABLES BEING HARVESTED THIS MONTH
Brussels sprouts, cabbage, celeriac, celery, chard, chicory, endive, Jerusalem artichoke, kale, leek, parsnip, spinach, swede, turnip, winter radish, hardy herbs.
WHAT TO DO IN THE VEG GARDEN
This is the “Planning Month” in your veg garden, a time to review the past year and take a look at what was a success and assess your failures. It’s a time to decide what you will grow this year, the quantities to grow and if you’ll try anything new. Think about the space you have, however big or small that may be and make a plan of how you can best maximise your resources and your time. Time spent now is a good investment as when the season starts it takes off at a high speed.
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Start chitting your potatoes in egg boxes or seed trays from the wide range available at the Garden Centre.
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Continue with winter digging if weather allows. Avoid treading on wet soil as this will only compact the soil and make it more difficult in later months.
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Add compost or manure to your plot by spreading on top, the worm population will do the rest.
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Some allotment holders like to cover the ground with polythene once dug over to keep the worst of the winter weather out and to help warm up the seed beds.
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Force rhubarb. This will encourage the growth of tender young stems in spring. Clear away any dead foliage from the crown. Cover crown with an old dustbin or pot or treat yourself to a “rhubarb forcer”.
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Prune fruit trees.
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Start a trench compost for where your runner beans will be and add discarded Brussels sprout stalks.
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Feed strawberry plants with sulphate of potash.
HARVEST RECIPIES
Colcannon
Serves 6
700g King Edward or Maris Piper potatoes, in chunks
75g butter
4-5 tablespoons of full –fat crème fraiche
225g cabbage finely shredded
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Boil potatoes in salted water and simmer for 10 to 15 mins. Drain and leave in colander for 15 mins to dry out.
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Melt 50g butter in potato pan. Put potatoes through a potato ricer or a sieve. Stir in crème fraiche and mix to make a creamy mash.
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Sautè the cabbage for 2-3 mins. Stir into potatoes and serve.
