Gardening Jobs for January

As we step into the New Year, there’s a gentle shift in the garden, where the days are still cold and quiet, but the light is slowly returning. January is less about doing lots, and more about preparing and laying the foundations for the year ahead.

While much of the garden is resting, there are still a few thoughtful jobs worth tending to. Taken at an easy pace, these small acts of care help everything wake well when spring arrives.

Top gardening jobs for January

Below is our guide to gardening jobs in January. And for extra reassurance during colder spells, take a look at our winter gardening tips for the months ahead.

Recycling your Christmas tree

One of the first questions January brings is what to do with your Christmas tree.

There are several environmentally friendly ways to recycle a Christmas tree, from local council collections to chipping it for mulch. Whichever route you choose, it’s worth making sure it’s done responsibly. To help guide you with this why not read our blog on How to Dispose of a Christmas Tree Responsibly.

If you had a potted living Christmas tree, you can also return it to the garden and allow it to grow. With the right care, it can become part of your landscape for years to come or kept in a pot to be brought into your home next year. Our guide on how to plant a Christmas tree will talk you through the steps gently and simply.

Clearing and prepping the garden

Prepping the garden in January

January is a good time to continue clearing fallen leaves and leftover debris from beds and borders. As you go, take care to look out for garden visitors such as slugs, snails or overwintering insects.

Any organic matter you collect can be added to the compost heap. Fallen leaves are also worth setting aside to create leaf mould, which is a slow but valuable soil conditioner that rewards patience.

Tidying soil and beds in January

If the ground allows, continue digging beds and borders to prepare them for the growing season ahead from late winter to early spring. If the soil is frozen or too wet to work, it’s best to wait for a milder day or leave it until next month, once the cold night have eased.

There’s no need to break down large clumps of soil just yet. Frost will do much of that work for you naturally.

Adding compost or well-rotted manure now helps return nutrients to the soil. Gently work it through with a fork, letting worms and weather do the rest over time.

Watering trees and plants in January

Watering should remain minimal during winter. Most plants are dormant and need very little moisture, with rainfall usually providing enough.

During dry spells, keep an eye on container-grown plants to make sure the compost doesn’t dry out completely. At the same time, be mindful of excess water. Prolonged sogginess can lead to root rot, especially in pots.

If containers are waterlogged, standing them on bricks or pot feet will help excess water drain away.

Pruning and planting

Pruning trees and plants in January

January is the right time to prune fig trees and grapevines while they are fully dormant. Pruning later can cause sap bleeding, which weakens the plant.

Gooseberries and blueberries can also be pruned now. Focus on shaping the plant and removing older wood, while keeping strong young shoots that will produce fruit in the coming years.

Shrub roses and climbing roses, including floribunda and hybrid tea varieties, can be pruned by cutting back weak or damaged stems. Leave the stronger, healthier stems to carry growth forward.

Pruning apple and pear trees now encourages productive fruiting. Aim for an open, goblet-shaped structure with four or five main branches to allow light and air to move freely.

Avoid pruning stone fruit trees such as plums and cherries at this time, as they are vulnerable to silver leaf disease.

Planting in January

If conditions are right, with soil neither frozen nor waterlogged, you can continue planting bare root trees and plants.

Take extra care when planting rose bushes, as they dislike heavy, sodden ground. Avoid planting roses in the same spot where roses have grown before, as this can cause replant disease.

If planting isn’t possible yet, bare root plants can safely be kept in a frost-free garage or outbuilding until the weather improves.

Winter is also a lovely time to introduce plants that bring colour and scent to the garden. Winter-flowering camellias, such as Yuletide varieties, add much-needed brightness.

Olive trees make excellent container plants through winter, bringing evergreen structure and calm Mediterranean character. They will need some protection from frost but reward care with year-round interest.

Soft fruit plants such as blueberries and gooseberries can be planted now. Blueberries prefer acidic conditions, so they are best grown in containers using ericaceous compost.

Harvest and storage

Checking stored fruit

If you stored apples, pears or other fruit from last season’s harvest, continue to check them regularly. Remove any fruit showing signs of rot straight away, as decay spreads quickly when fruits are stored together.

Winter protection

Protecting plants through winter

Newly planted trees and shrubs may need extra protection from strong winds and frost.

High winds can loosen roots, so check plants after storms and gently firm them back into the soil if needed.

Tender plants and container-grown trees benefit from added protection during cold snaps. Horticultural fleece or bubble wrap works well, especially for pots.

Fig trees should be protected by covering the tips of branches, where fruit forms. This helps prevent frost damage and supports a good crop later in the year.

Wildlife in January

Food is still scarce for wildlife, so keep bird feeders topped up and fresh water available where possible. If you put out food at this time of year, garden wildlife like robins, squirrels and possibly even deer, in quiet open gardens, will be grateful and frequently return which is always a pleasant sight in a winter garden.

When tidying leaf piles or garden corners, take care not to disturb hibernating creatures like hedgehogs that may have taken shelter there.

Indoor plant care

Citrus trees should be watered sparingly during winter, keeping compost lightly moist but never wet. Citrus plants are hungry by nature and benefit from gentle feeding even in winter. A balanced winter citrus feed will support healthy growth, flowers and fruit development.

Houseplants should be kept in the brightest spots available and watered only when the compost feels dry to the touch.

January gifting

And if you’re also thinking about meaningful winter gifts, our January Tree of the Month and January birthday gift guide offer gentle inspiration for living gifts that feel thoughtful, hopeful and perfectly suited to the season.