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January is usually a cold month, if the weather is particularly severe there may be little to do in the vegetable garden, but now is the perfect time to plan for the busy year ahead. Browse seed catalogues and plan what you’re going to grow and where, drawing a plan of your plot can help. If you’re a busy person, think about how much time you can realistically spend in your garden or at your allotment, try to plan accordingly, avoiding the mistake of growing too much all at once. It’s easy to become overwhelmed, especially if you’re a beginner, far better to choose crops that you enjoy eating or find easy to grow. Add more to your list as your confidence grows.
Some jobs that can be tackled in January:
- Order seed potatoes for chitting this month or next
- Force established rhubarb
- Sow broad beans if you didn’t get around to it during autumn
- Prune blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes
- Top up empty beds with organic matter (if you haven’t already) before snow arrives
- Make a runner bean trench
- Clean the greenhouse including pots and trays
- Plant fruit trees if weather allows
- Order or buy onion sets
- Cut autumn fruiting raspberry canes to just above ground level this month or next
I’ll be following every move on here so i can do a right proper job this year, got the attention span of a gnat.
Happy New year to you and yours hope its a fantastic year.
fran
Oh Fran you do make me giggle! Happy New Year to you and family too x
Pardon my ignorance but what’s a runner bean trench?
I am constantly trying to get organised and usually failing. Hopefully 2016 will be different!
This is a great video explaining the purpose of a runner bean trench and how to dig one. You could also add composting material to the trench, such as the usual veg scraps etc to provide additional nutrients for the plants come summer time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqXpxpQ0dT8
What a great idea and so handy too. I imagine that you could usep this for other plants as well.
Thanks for the video.
Happy new year.
You’re very welcome, and Happy New Year to you too!
Reblogged this on The Garden Smallholder.
Glad you’ve reminded me about the broad beans. It’s the main thing I’ve been successful with here in our Spanish winter. I planted some before leaving and had totally forgotten the ones I put aside to plant when I am back in January. Yes , I like the attention span of a gnat and the memory of one too.
I’ve planted some sugar snaps, greens, and turnips! I love being able to garden in the winter! Looks like you’re keeping busy too.