Gardening in January: A month of rest and preparation

January is the month of rest – for both us and the plants. Garden work in January is not heavy, but focuses on protection, observation and preparation for spring.

In the garden

Most plants are “dormant”.

If there is snow, gently shake the branches so that they do not break. Protect the young trunks with netting or jute from the cold and animals. Prune only on mild days and always with clean tools and using grafting paste. We can do preventive spraying for insects and fungi. Aerate the soil and prepare the holes for transplanting now.

A little care now = fewer problems in spring!

Acidophilous plants & shrubs

Azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons need a little extra love:

• We use a fertilizer to deal with climatic stress (such as cold) like Algatron

• We strengthen the buds with potassium fertilizer.

For rose bushes and shrubs:

• Remove dead branches and leaves.

• Do some light pruning to allow the plant to “breathe”.

Bulbs

• We ventilate the areas where we store bulbs well.

• Those that are already planted are protected with preventive treatments to prevent rotting.

Kitchen garden

The soil is resting, and so are we!

• We don’t crowd the plants in the greenhouse.
• We check the vegetables we have stored.
• We start sowing in a protected area: lettuce, radish, spinach and aromatics.
• In the open air we can sow peas and broad beans.
• We prepare the soil for the first plantings of the end of winter.

Fruit trees

• We prune on frost-free days.
• We protect the trunks from rodents.
• We harvest late citrus fruits.
• We remove dried or “mummified” fruits from the branches because they hide diseases.
• We fertilize lightly after harvest and check for overwintering insects.

House & balcony

The biggest “enemy” is heating.

• Reduce watering.

• Mist the air to add some moisture.

• Keep plants away from radiators.

• Move them closer to windows for more light.

Succulents do not need any water.

Cyclamens, violets and ornamental cabbages do well on the balcony.

We protect geraniums from the cold.