The shortest & coldest days of the year, but plants are still growing and flowering.

Flowers

• Check and firm in all newly planted shrubs and trees
• Check Dahlia tubers, Gladioli and Begonia corms that are being stored and remove any that are rotting
• Spot water containers, pots, tubs and window boxes if necessary
• Remove snow from evergreen trees and shrubs

Fruit

• Check and firm in all newly planted shrubs and trees
• Plant new fruit bushes when the ground is not too wet or frozen
• Check and loosen tree ties, replace any that are broken 
• Check stakes on fruit trees for being loose or broken

Vegetables 

• Dig over vacant plots and leave rough for frost to break down 
• Check stored vegetables and throw out any that are rotting 
• Towards the end of the month consider putting up plastic cloches to warm the soil and give early salad crops

Lawns 

• Keep off in frosty weather 
• Have the lawn mower serviced and the blades sharpened 
• If puddles stay on the lawn, spike with a garden fork to add drainage

Greenhouse

• Start to heat Greenhouses, which have Peaches and Vines in them 
• Prune Vines now before sap rises 
• Check heating is still running efficiently 
• Ventilate cold houses on mild days 
• Check plants regularly for pests and disease i.e., moulds and fungus

General Tasks

• Keep an area of the pond free of ice to help fish to breathe 
• Store seed potatoes in a dark place 
• Clean and oil all garden tools

Plants which are at their best in January 
Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)    
Sarcococca (Christmas Box) 
Hamamelis vars (Witch Hazel)    
Corylus avellana 'Contorta' (Contorted Hazel)  
Crocus  Helleborus niger (Christmas Rose)
Lonicera x Fragrantissima (Winter flowering Honeysuckle)    
Garrya eliptica 'James Roof' (Silktassel Bush)
Ilex aquifolium vars (Holly)    
Viburnum tinus vars