January Newsletter

What to Do in the Garden in January

January is a quiet but important month in the garden but here are some key tasks to be getting on with:

Flowers & Ornamentals

Plant bare‑root roses, shrubs, hedging, and ornamental trees if the ground isn’t frozen.
Buy bulbs such as snowdrops in flower to establish new clumps and choose the prettiest blooms.
Clear away collapsed perennial stems and compost them.
Take hardwood cuttings from shrubs like forsythia, willow, viburnum.
Remove diseased foliage to reduce leaf spot and mildew spread.
Check alpines aren’t smothered by leaves or debris.

Fruit & Veg Garden

Winter‑prune apple and pear trees - remove dead, damaged, diseased, or congested branches.
Prune gooseberries and redcurrants, cutting sideshoots back to three buds.
Clear old crops and weeds, then dig in compost if soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
Inspect stored crops (squash, potatoes, onions) and discard any showing rot.
Plant bare‑root fruit trees and bushes in enriched soil during mild spells.
Protect crops from wildlife with netting.
Force rhubarb by covering crowns with a bucket or terracotta pot.
Feed spring cabbages with a high‑nitrogen feed.
Order seed potatoes, onions, shallots, garlic for spring planting.

Greenhouse & Indoor Jobs

Sow winter salads, onions from seed and chillis and peppers in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill.
Clean & tidy the greenhouse - wash down, remove old compost, debris, broken pots.
Ventilate on mild days to prevent mould and disease.
Check overwintering plants and remove dead or rotting material.

General Garden Maintenance

Wildlife Care

Feed birds regularly and clean feeders weekly.
Provide fresh water and break ice daily.
Avoid disturbing log piles, compost heaps, or wildlife shelters - many creatures are still hibernating

Dates for your Diary

Events Calendar – all events are on Saturdays from 10 am-12 noon

Please note all is subject to change . . . any topic/date changes will be announced in our newsletters.

Date	Event
24^th January	Regular sessions start up again
21^st February	Winter Pruning Fruit Trees workshop
28^th February	Make a nest box
28^th March	Grow your own medicine
11^th April	Plant Sale
25^th April	How to plant a cut flower garden
9^th May	Grow your own herbal tea and tea blending
30^th May	Make a pizza planter
6^th June	Royal Windsor Flower Show
20^th June	Bee bar and bee talk
11^th July	Make Natural Plant Supports
22^nd August	Composting and soil health
19^th September	Make your own pickles and chutneys
24^th October	Seed Collecting
31^st October	Halloween craft workshop
7^th November	Indoor plant workshop
14^th November	Sewing workshop – Lavender bags
21^st November	Make a bird feeder
5th December	Christmas fayre – a wonderful opportunity to buy Christmas presents and decorations, including making wreaths and table decorations
12^th December	Volunteer Christmas Party

Recipe of the Month

Chocolate Chip Oat Crunchies

These delicious cookies are quick and easy to make

Ingredients

Method

Cream together the butter and sugar
Mix in vanilla extract (if using), flour, porridge oats, chocolate chips, mixed seeds (if using) and salt
Roll into small balls (you should get c12) and place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment
Bake in preheated oven at 170C/150C fan for 15 mins or until the edges are just turning golden
Leave to cool for 5 mins before removing from the tray and cool on a wire rack

Enjoy!

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