Gardening Calendar

JANUARY

Think that there is nothing to do and the garden looks boring at this time? Think again! However harsh the weather, there are plants to enjoy and plenty of jobs to be getting on with.

Cold winds, frost and heavy rains can often make it seem as if nothing can be done in the garden now. But even though it is usually the coldest time of year, January can be regarded as an optimistic month. And a garden covered in snow always looks good too.

January is a good time to:

• Undertake winter digging of borders and the vegetable garden, as long as the soil is not waterlogged or frozen.
• Check supports of trees and shrubs
• Catch up with repairs to fences and trellises
• Lay Turf – learn more here!

January Weather Watch
The amount of rain falling on different parts of the country also varies according to its topography, southern and eastern regions being the driest. In some parts of the northwest highlands of Scotland 236mm of rain may fall this month; on the south coast of England, 81mm.

January: lay turf on a new lawn

Turf can be laid on prepared ground only if the soil is not frozen or so wet that it sticks to your boots. Work from planks laid on the ground so that you do not make compacted dents in the levelled soil. While seed is economical, making a lawn from turf is more or less instant; you will have to keep it off for only a few weeks until it settles in, Turf more than seed, but if you can, buy the best quality turf, guaranteed weed-free.