Garden Planning for January: What to Plant and What to Do

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The start of a new year is the perfect time to get your garden ready for the months ahead. January is a great month to plan what you want to plant, and also to carry out some essential jobs in the garden. In this blog post, we will take a look at what you can plant in your garden during January, as well as giving you some tips on how to get your garden ready for the year ahead.

What flowers should you plant in January?

Begonias

When it comes to planting begonias, the process of germination is slow but worth the wait. They offer colorful beauty when in bloom and can be planted from July through October or November, making them a great choice for adding color late into the gardening season.

To ensure successful germination, lightly plant the seeds on top of a layer of seed compost and cover with a light layer of vermiculite. Be sure to keep temperatures between 19-24°C (66-77°F) while they sprout. With patience you’ll soon have beautiful blooms that last throughout summer and beyond!

Coleus

Coleus is an ideal plant for brightening up the summer garden, with its lush foliage displaying from June onwards. To achieve successful germination when it comes to sowing coleus, be sure to use a seed compost mixed in with a 10 per cent vermiculate.

Once planted, keep temperatures at 19-24°C (65-75°F) and make sure that there is plenty of light – you should notice germination taking place within 10-20 days. If you desire faster results, try keeping temperatures at 24-27°C (75-80°F) as this could decrease the time taken to 14 days. Whether planting in a pot or a tray, these simple steps will help get your coleus display off to the perfect start!

Dahlias

Dahlias are a joy to behold in any garden – the vivid blooms and cascading petals bring life and color no matter what time of year. These beautiful flowers can be grown easily at home, although they do prefer warmer climates.

To sow these delightful flowers, you’ll need some seed compost mixed with 10 per cent vermiculite. They should be kept at a temperature of between 18-21 degrees Celsius (65-70 Fahrenheit), and it will take anywhere from 5 to 20 days for them to germinate. Planting your dahlia seeds now will mean you can enjoy the grandeur of their colorful blossoms from July through October or November – one of the best reasons for having this stunning flower in your outdoor space.

Delphiniums

Delphiniums make a beautiful addition to any garden, and they are not difficult to cultivate. Planting in June and July gives the flowers the best chance to grow strong and lively. When sowing these seeds, be sure to mix in vermiculite for the optimal mixture of nutrients.

After putting the trays in your refrigerator for three weeks, you can look forward to a germination period of 7-28 days, when temperatures should remain at 15-21°C (59-70°F). With correct care, your delphiniums will reward you with vivid blue hues that perfectly accent gardens both large and small.

Geraniums

Growing geraniums is a wonderful way to add a splash of colour to your garden or balcony. Flowering from June to October/November, these plants are incredibly hardy and will provide bright, cheerful blooms for many months.

Geranium seeds are very small, so be careful when sowing them in small trays with seed compost and 10 per cent grit, gently pushing them slightly into the soil. To achieve optimal results and ensure good germination rates, temperatures should remain at 24°C (75°F), maintained by a heated propagator if needed. You should start to see seedlings within 3-12 days.

Petunias

Petunias are an incredibly rewarding flower to grow and enjoy. A mainstay of the late summer garden, petunias provide an abundance of colourful blooms from June to September if given the right attention.

To get started, sprinkle your seeds thinly on the surface of trays filled with seed compost and vermiculite at a ratio of 10:1. Do not press them down into the soil; just lightly dust their tops with the fine vermiculite. Heat is also important in order to speed up germination, so maintain temperatures between 24-27°C (75-80°F) for best results. With plenty of light and heat, you should have blooming petunias by 14 days!

Sweet peas

Sweet peas are the symbol of love, admiration, humility and bliss – and their beautiful, delicate blooms will certainly do justice to your garden. They thrive in light and full sun, so make sure they’re planted in a sunny spot and away from vigorous winds.

Sowing sweet peas 6cm deep in ‘tubes’ or 7cm pots with seed compost plus 10 per cent grit is ideal and best when the minimum temperature is 12°C (55°F). As plants reach maturity early April/May, they will begin flowering by May/June through to August. If you want to bring on germination faster, it should take around 10-14 days if you keep them in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame.

January garden jobs

Flower garden jobs

• To ensure the health of your wisteria, trim its whippy summer growth down to only 2 or 3 buds. Pruning will help cultivate a lush and vibrant bloom each season!
• This month is the perfect time to give your rose bushes a much-needed pruning – while they’re still dormant. Give them some attention and look for any dead or crossing branches, then cut back each branch just above a bud. With this simple step you’ll be giving new life to these beautiful blooms.
• January is the ideal month to begin trimming rhododendrons for optimal growth and maintenance.
• Spring is the ideal season to prune and trim your overgrown honeysuckle severely, so that you may encourage vigorous new growth.
• Prune your ornamental grasses to a few centimeters above the ground at the start of their growing season. This will help ensure that you get lush, healthy foliage for months to come.
• Revitalize your perennials by snipping off the withered stems of plants such as sedum. Make sure to be watchful for any budding shoots!
• Reveal the stunning new hellebore blooms this spring by discarding of their outdated leaves!
• Trim the willow trees to improve their health and appearance. Cut out any damaged or diseased branches, as well as old stems of brightly coloured willows. If certain parts appear overcrowded, thin them out for a more balanced look.
• To prevent your winter pansies from seeding, be sure to remove any spent flowers.

Good gardener jobs

• Harness the energy of a new year by sprucing up your tools, water butts, greenhouses and other pots to get ready for spring. Though it may not be the most exciting task in the world, you’ll be well-prepared to have an amazing gardening season.
• Start envisioning the possibilities for your garden and take advantage of this ideal moment – get those seeds and plants ordered from the coziness of your own home! Now’s a better time than ever to prepare for future months.
• Ensure your winter fortification is still in working order – inspect any stakes, supports and ties that may have been weakened due to inclement weather.
• Caring for wildlife is a vital responsibility, and you can do your part by providing wild birdfood to hungry birds and leaving some areas of your garden untouched until the springtime. This will give animals a safe haven as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Other January garden jobs

• Make sure your climbers and climbing shrubs are securely held in place with ties to their supports.
• Eradicate all weeds, including the roots, from your flower beds and garden borders.
• To protect the glass of your greenhouse or cold frame from destruction, it is essential to clear away any heavy snow accumulation.
• To protect your hedges and conifers from breaking under the pressure of heavy snow, be sure to regularly brush off their branches.
• Make the most of your Christmas tree this year by shredding it and adding to your compost bins. Additionally, why not put those stripped branches to good use as pea sticks?
• Restore slimy patches on patios and paving to their original state by giving them a vigorous scrub with a broom or utilizing the power of your pressure washer.
• Get a jump start on the season and plant your amaryllis bulbs in pots for an amazing floral display indoors come early spring!
• Carefully examine the dahlia tubers that are being stored and dispose of those which demonstrate signs of decay.
• Keep your houseplants hydrated! Central heating may rob the air of moisture, which can harm indoor plants. To counteract this effect, spritz them with some water often and place a tray filled with pebbles and water beneath their pots to raise humidity levels.

Making the most of the month

January is the perfect time to prepare for a successful gardening season. With these tips, you can get your garden ready for spring and beyond. Whether it’s trimming rhododendrons or pruning ornamental grasses, there are plenty of tasks to do in January that will help keep your plants healthy and vibrant all year round.

For more ideas on what food plants to grow this month, check out our January food post! It provides detailed instructions on how to plant vegetables, fruit and herbs so you can enjoy fresh produce right from your own backyard come summertime.