You may also like<\/strong><\/p> It’s that time again. Looking for some pruning<\/a> tips? <\/strong>As a general guide, you are looking to remove any dead or diseased material and any branches that are crossing on fruit trees. With bushes such as gooseberries<\/a> and redcurrants<\/a>, the goal is to create an open, \u2018goblet\u2019 shape that allows air to circulate. With blackcurrants, the canes you are removing should be cut down to the ground rather than just being shortened. With all fruit<\/a>, look to remove the older wood \u2013 anything more than three years old \u2013 and leave the younger, more vigorous growth.<\/p> Prune shrub, bush and climbing roses now while dormant, hard pruning back to strong growth or thinning and tying in lax stems as required. As a general rule, shrub and rambling roses require less pruning than floribunda and hybrid teas. Prioritise removing dead, dying and diseased wood.<\/p> While pruning, <\/strong>remove any remaining fruit from trees and bushes to guard against brown rot and other fungal diseases.<\/p> Keep on top of the slugs and snails<\/strong><\/p> Good hygiene is an effective way of dealing with slugs<\/a> and snails, too. <\/strong>Keep removing old leaves from leafy crops such as kale<\/a>, Swiss chard <\/a>and cabbage, and if you are growing in pots, check underneath and around these too.<\/p> Tidy up<\/strong><\/p> Take the opportunity to have a general tidy up<\/a>.<\/strong> By all means keep a pile of leaves<\/a> and twigs for insects and spiders to overwinter, but this is the perfect time to tidy edges and get rid of any unwanted mess that has built up over the summer and autumn. Leaves can be turned into leaf mould and all other green waste added to the compost<\/a> heap.<\/p> If you do need to work on the soil<\/a>, put boards down first, <\/strong>so that you can avoid stepping on the soil itself. Old scaffolding boards are ideal, sprinkled with a little grit to stop you slipping. This will help to spread your weight and avoid compacting the soil.<\/p> You may also like\u2026<\/strong><\/p> Winter protection<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be ready with the fleece <\/strong>if it looks like the temperature is going to drop much below zero. Celeriac is a great example of a winter crop that will do much better if given a little protection from the worst of the weather. Likewise with rhubarb and artichokes \u2013 a strong wind can easily blow away that protective mulch you applied back in the autumn, so do check and add another layer if needed. Here is the best eco-protection for the garden <\/a><\/p> Keep checking on any stored fruit and vegetables <\/strong>to make sure they are still free from rot and safe from predators. As the winter stretches on, so interest among the rodent community will grow.<\/p> Get your tools cleaned and sharpened<\/strong><\/p> As well as getting your tools cleaned, oiled and sharpened, this is an excellent time to get bigger machines, such as lawnmowers, serviced and ready for the season to come.<\/p> How to clean rusty tools<\/a><\/p> If you haven\u2019t already, do get your seed order in<\/a>. <\/strong>If you leave it too late you will find the choice is very limited. Here’s our guide on the best wildflower seed bombs for your garden. <\/a><\/p> Sort your seeds<\/strong><\/p> Sort out your seeds (which, of course, you ordered in plenty of time<\/a>). This will help you to determine whether anything is missing, and to make sure you sow everything at the right time. I use an old wine case and organise the seeds by month of sowing.<\/p> Here are some great seed boxes<\/a><\/p> Clean your greenhouse<\/strong><\/p> This is the ideal time to clean out greenhouses<\/a> and cold frames<\/a>, while they\u2019re \u2013 relatively \u2013 empty. Sweep them thoroughly, and wash the glass inside and out. Give the gutters a clean too.<\/p>
Gardening jobs for January<\/h2>
Pruning<\/h3>
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