New Year, New Garden: Alex’s January Tips for a Fresh Start
01.01.2025
Gardening Tips for January
Kickstart your gardening year with these essential tasks and tips to keep your garden thriving through the winter months:
- Plan for the Year Ahead
Get inspired for 2025 by exploring our seed collection in the Potting Shed and planning your planting schedule. - Prune Fruit Trees
Now is the time to prune apple and pear trees while they’re dormant. Remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, and aim for an open goblet shape to improve airflow and fruit production. - Care for Garden Birds
Keep bird baths filled with water, and melt any ice with warm water. Don’t forget to join the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch from 24th to 26th January to count the feathered visitors in your garden. - Tidy Winter Containers
Keep winter tubs neat by deadheading and removing debris. Water if needed, especially during dry spells. - Chit First Early Potatoes
Place seed potatoes in a bright, frost-free spot to start chitting, ready for planting from February to April. - Indoor Herb Gardens
Sow herb seeds now for an indoor garden on a sunny windowsill – a simple way to bring fresh flavour to your cooking. - Protect Tender Plants
Shield delicate plants from frost with fleece to help them survive the cold. - Winter Garden Stars
For seasonal interest, plant hellebores, mahonia, hamamelis, and skimmia. As long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged, they’ll thrive in your winter garden.
Discover all you need to prepare your garden this January at Moss & Moor!
January Plants of the Month
Plant of the month
Viburnum tinus
Kerstin’s Tips for Growing Viburnum tinus
If you’re looking for a plant that offers year-round interest and a touch of elegance, Viburnum tinus is one of my favourites. It’s an evergreen shrub that’s hardy and reliable – perfect for UK gardens.
I recommend planting it in well-drained, fertile soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Choose a spot sheltered from cold winds to give it the best start. What I love about Viburnum tinus is that it tolerates a variety of soils, even chalky or clay ones, as long as they aren’t waterlogged.
When you first plant it, be sure to water regularly during dry spells – this helps it establish strong roots. Once it’s settled, it’s surprisingly drought-tolerant and easy to care for. A little mulch in the spring works wonders, helping to lock in moisture and keep weeds at bay.
After its delicate flowers fade, a light prune will keep its shape looking tidy. Its winter blooms are not only beautiful but also an important food source for pollinators when they need it most.
If you’re after a low-maintenance shrub that brings structure and seasonal charm, Viburnum tinus is a wonderful choice – and a firm favourite of mine!
Houseplant of the month
Dracaena Marginata
Jenny’s Pick
Why Jenny Loves It:
“The Dracaena marginata, or Madagascar Dragon Tree, is my go-to plant for filling spaces after the Christmas decorations come down. It’s beautifully architectural without overwhelming a room, and its low-maintenance nature makes it perfect for this time of year. I also love how it quietly purifies the air – a fresh start for the new year!”
How to Care for Your Dracaena Marginata:
Light:
Dracaena marginata thrives in bright, indirect light but can handle light shade too. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which can scorch its slender, spiky leaves.
Water:
Water when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch, but avoid overwatering – its roots are prone to rot. It’s more forgiving of underwatering than being left to sit in water.
Humidity:
This plant prefers warm, humid conditions, so misting its leaves occasionally will keep it happy.
Jenny’s Tip:
“With its slow-growing nature, this plant can reach up to three metres indoors over time, so it’s perfect for adding height without the hassle!”
looking after houseplants
