There are fewer jobs that need to be done in the garden in January, but pruning is often one of the most important to do at this time of year.
A gardening expert said what you should – and shouldn’t – prune this month.
“In January, gardening in the UK is often quieter due to the cold weather, but there are still a few key tasks to help keep your garden in good shape and prepare for spring,” said landscape gardener and horticulture expert at Airtasker Hamid Ali.
“This time is crucial in order to uplift the garden health to tremendous growth.”
What should you prune?
The expert advised pruning fruit trees, roses and clematis. He explained: “Winter is a good time to prune fruit trees like apple and pear trees, particularly those that need shaping or removing dead or diseased wood.
“For roses, prune hybrid tea and floribunda roses to remove dead or damaged growth. Avoid heavy pruning of other types until spring.”
These plants will benefit from being pruned in the colder months as this will help them to thrive later in the year.
However, plants that flower in spring should be left alone just now. Hamid said: “In January, you should avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, lilac and flowering currant.
“For example, if you prune them, the sensitive cut part of the plant will be exposed to harsh (cold) climate which would provide unfavourable conditions to grow, by this result, the plant starts dying from the cut part.
“Pruning these plants in winter can remove flower buds that have already formed, reducing or eliminating blooms for the coming spring.
An expert said the best and worst plants to prune at this time of year
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“It’s best to wait until after they flower – usually in late spring or early summer – to prune them.
“Similarly, avoid pruning evergreens unless necessary, as they can be more susceptible to cold damage.”
The expert suggested other gardening jobs that are good to get on with at this time of year, such as mulching, tidying up, adding winter protection and caring for wildlife.
