The January guide to gardening discuss the warm weather this month that is generally not suitable for sowing and planting, but if shade can be provided, the annual plants that bloom in winter are sown now.
Cut the new shoots a little out of the others to allow stronger growth for the following season’s flowering.
Ants will also be tricky this month. Dust or spray all their walkways and entrances of their nests with Bexadust or Chlordasol. Remember that ants carry aphids and scale insects. You must constantly fight against them.
Now that the longest days are over, we need to prepare for next year. Seeds of plants that bloom in the late spring and early summer can be sown now. Plant the seedlings once they are big enough to be dealt with.
There is still time to plant new plants as bearded irises and to divide old bulbs. You need an abundant amount of lime to add to the soil.
The growth of roses is virtually silent in January, and it is the appropriate time in the beds where gaps need to be filled to plant new trees. Do not forget all the old flowers from picking. It is a rather laborious job, but it will prolong their flowering period.