January may be cold and quiet, but it’s a pivotal month for setting the stage for a productive growing season in your kitchen garden. Here are some top activities to focus on this month:
1. Plan Your Planting
Use this downtime to map out your garden for the year. Rotate crops to prevent soil depletion, and choose seeds for the season ahead. Think about ordering varieties that thrive in your soil and climate.
2. Care for Your Soil
Clear beds of any leftover debris from last year’s crops, and add well-rotted compost or manure to improve soil fertility. Avoid digging if the ground is frozen or waterlogged, but focus on top-dressing where possible.
3. Prune and Prepare
Prune rose bushes and fruit trees like apples and pears, as well as soft fruits such as blackcurrants and gooseberries. This encourages healthy growth and improves yields. Remove any dead or diseased branches while the plants are dormant.
4. Sow Early Crops
If you have a greenhouse or windowsill, start sowing hardy crops like broad beans, onions, and early salad greens. Use propagation trays for a head start on the growing season.
5. Look After Wildlife
Help garden wildlife by leaving seed heads intact on ornamental plants for birds and providing shallow dishes of water during frosty periods. Encouraging biodiversity supports the health of your garden ecosystem.
Biodynamic Tip for January
January is a key time for biodynamic gardeners to focus on soil health and fertility. This is a pivotal month to apply biodynamic compost preparations to your garden beds. These preparations work with natural forces to energise and balance your soil. You can also make use of the descending moon phase to focus on root-related tasks, such as pruning and composting. Learn more about the Three King’s preparation – performed every year on 6th January – here.