John’s January jobs for the garden…

With the new year often comes lists of to dos and renovations! Try to get a few gardening tasks in there and, if you think you don’t have the time, I would always advise that you try and make the time. Really, we all have time, but it depends on how we choose to use it. Time can so easily and quickly vanish in front of a screen. Yet, in the garden it seems to have the habit of slowing down. Sometimes, this can give way for new thoughts and ideas, or solutions to puzzles you may be trying to solve.

Here’s what you can do this month…

• Please don’t forget the birds – they desperately need food and water right now. We are offering a free small bag of bird food with every purchase in January.

• Plant a Shrub – There are so many beautiful winter shrubs with delightful berries or flowers to add colour, interest, food and habitat for wildlife.

• Winter Digging – Turn over the soil on a dry day. Get physical and step away, momentarily, from Christmas indulgences!

• Treat Timber – Give the shed or your fences a lick of new wood stain or change of colour.

• Sharpen Tools – give them a good sharpen and a clean ready for spring.

• Tidy Up – Now that the leaf fall is behind us, it’s a good chance to sweep up the paths and decking, so it isn’t slippy. Don’t forget to keep the pile of leaves for overwintering wildlife in your garden.

• Read books – on the wet days, put the kettle on and dig out some good gardening books for some advice, tips and inspiration. If you don’t have any at home, we have many for you to come and read in The Reading Room Kitchen.

• Empty the shed – It will help sort it out and you may just find things you’d forgotten about.

• Service the mower – with no use for it at the moment, it’s the perfect time to drop it in for a service.

• Rock salt – keep it topped up on your paths and outdoor stairs, as this time of year can see a lot of ice and snow.

• Flower bed designs – Whether it be bedding or perennials, dream up, get inspired by books and draw up some new ideas and style / colour schemes for 2026.