January gardening tips

Happy New Year from all of us here at The Magic Molecule Co.

We hope January is off to a good start for you, despite it having much less sparkle than the Christmas season. One way to get through this wintery month?

Start thinking about all that potential in your garden!

What is on our to do lists?

• Did you have a real tree over Christmas? Has it got roots?

Don’t forget you can replant it again in the garden and use it again next year! If not, think about chopping and shredding it to add some richness to the compost heap with your other green waste.

• Already dreaming of Christmas next year?

Why not try growing your own mistletoe. It requires a host plant, such as an apple tree. Press some mistletoe berries (fresh ones, not from your Christmas decorations) into the bark of your apple tree in a crevice, pushing the seeds in and wait.

• Trim back creeping and climbing plants now

This avoids needing to do so after birds start nesting. Also, don’t forget to keep bird baths topped up, or break any ice in them if necessary.

• Plant chilli peppers

These have a long germination, so by planting them indoors from late January you’ll hopefully have an earlier and longer harvest period.

• Cut back apple and pear trees, in particular keeping an eye out for dead or diseased branches
• Keep clearing fallen leaves and debris from the garden and guttering
• Organise seeds

It’s time to throw away those empty packets or any out of date seeds and note down any you would like for the coming season.

• It’s time to place your orders for potatoes, onions, shallots and garlic for planting in spring.
• Keep the greenhouse tidy

If we’re lucky enough to have some sunny days then consider ventilating to prevent humidity.

• And finally, now is a good time to have your lawn mower serviced and to sharpen all your tools ready for the coming months

What’s on your to do list for this month?

Let us know in the comments or on our social media platforms.