Monty Don has revealed his secret to his gardening success – and it’s something you’ll want to start implementing in your garden immediately. The host of Gardeners’ World demonstrated that these tasks don’t have to be time-consuming, and it’s a perfect scenario when the weather is chilly, but you still want to get a head start before spring arrives.
Discussing the jobs that need doing in January, he further advised eager gardeners that almost anything, even wrapping paper, can be utilised to create an ideal garden. However, with January often bringing plenty of rain, snow, and ice, our gardens might be a tad more disorganised than usual.
“One of the things I like best about January – even when the weather is so wet – is the grey, pearly light on the bare, stripped back bones of the garden. It creates a ghostly, misty atmosphere that is unique to the early weeks of the year”, Monty Don said.
Do this
In his January advice, the gardening expert suggests tackling the following tasks.
Chillies: This is “always the first seeds that I sow in the new year” he says, adding that “the secret of successful chilli growing” is to “allow each plant as much time and opportunity to become big and bushy” which can be achieved by feeding it weekly with a high nitrogen fertiliser, for example.
Onion sets and seeds: When conditions are dry, these can be put in the ground now. Simply ensure they’re spaced roughly 9 inches apart in rows with the tips protruding from the soil.
Poinsettias: These plants are “only really comfortable in damp warmth” and dislike “cool nights, very hot dry rooms or big fluctuations in temperatures.” Bearing this in mind, allow the compost to dry out before thoroughly watering, placing the pot in a sink filled with water and leaving it for 10 minutes or so, then allowing excess water to drain away. Mulching: This technique is typically employed to conserve water, control weeds and enhance the soil surrounding plants, whilst also lending a neat look to your garden.
Mulching: This is often used to save water, suppress weeds and improve the soil around plants, but it also gives your garden a tidy appearance. Monty Don advises that the “best time to put down a mulch is whenever you get round to do it”, adding: “We do try and mulch all our borders in January because this gives time in autumn for the borders to die back gracefully and allow birds to eat all seeds and berries but is early enough not to suppress the growth of bulbs such as alliums and tulips that start to appear by the end of February.”
Still got Christmas wrapping paper?
If you’ve got spare wrapping paper at home, whether it’s from Christmas or a recent birthday, it could come in handy. It may even be worth taking it out of your recycling bin if it hasn’t been collected yet!
Monty Don explains that Christmas creates a tremendous amount of paper waste, but much of it can be added straight to the compost heap. Wrapping paper, packaging, and cardboard will all break down over time.
He explains that winter often brings a lack of “green,” nitrogen-rich material such as grass clippings to balance out carbon-heavy items like paper and cardboard. Even so, everything will eventually decompose and become part of the compost over the coming months.
Monty further stresses the importance of turning compost regularly, even during the coldest weather. While turning compost might seem like it’s done to generate heat, the real purpose is to introduce oxygen. This oxygen activates bacteria that break down kitchen scraps and festive packaging alike, producing heat in the process – even in midwinter.
At this time of year, he also likes to spread a layer of finished compost over vegetable beds that aren’t currently in use. This allows worms and the weather to work it into the soil naturally, preparing the ground for planting later in the spring. He finishes by noting that January is a good time to sift compost and store it, concluding: “Finally a January job is to sieve compost and bag it up ready to add to potting compost ready for the flurry of sowing in spring.”
