January in the Garden
January: A Time for Renewal and Preparation
Happy New Year from the Team at Mackintosh Martin Gardening, thank you for choosing us to care for your garden in 2024. We can’t wait to start working to make your garden beautiful this year.
Although January can feel quiet in the garden, it’s a great time for us to start planning and preparing the garden for the year ahead.
1. Pruning and Maintenance
January is an ideal time to prune many trees and shrubs before they begin their spring growth. In particular, consider tackling these pruning tasks:
Fruit Trees (apples, pears, and grapevines)
Dogwoods (remove old stems to encourage vibrant new growth)
Buddleia, gooseberries, and blackcurrants (light pruning will help boost yields)
Wisteria (Winter prune to promote healthy blooms)
Hardy Summer Flowering Shrubs and Shrub Roses
2. Planting Bare Root Shrubs and Trees
We can plant bare root roses, trees, and fruit canes. These plants are dormant during winter, making them easier to establish in the soil. If we plant during the winter they’ll be ready to grow once the warmer weather arrives.
3. Winter Planting: Add Color and Fragrance
Even though many plants are resting, there are still vibrant plants that can add seasonal interest during January. Some star plants to consider for January include:
Snowdrops – delicate and beautiful, they flower from January to February.
Witch Hazel – with its striking yellow, orange, or red flowers, it adds much-needed color.
Hellebores (Christmas Rose) – they bloom through January and February, offering a delightful contrast to the winter landscape.
Dogwood – known for its fiery, colorful bark that brightens even the dullest of winter days.
Daphne - Ru and Liza added one into their garden last February and have gorgeous scented flowers near a walkway this January
4. Clean Up and Weeding
There’s still time for us to tackle those last few fallen leaves and weed the garden beds. Keeping your garden tidy for aesthetics but also to prevent pests from taking root.
Why January is a Great Time to Invest in Your Garden
If you’ve been considering landscaping projects, garden design, or plant installations, January is an excellent time to get in touch, we are available for design and planting services, offering tailored solutions for creating gardens that thrive year-round. If this is of interest to you let us know and we can send you a planting pack to explain the planting process.
Our sercives to keep note of:
Planting Design and planting (including plant sourcing)
Year round garden care (pruning, weeding, seasonal clean-ups)
Tree Surgery and Pruning including Fruit Trees
Compost work and establishment
Mulching, we can order compost and mulch on our visits
Investing in your garden means it as the best chance to be healthy and vibrant for you to enjoy throughout the year. Whether you’re dreaming of a beautiful Winter garden or a calming or colourful summer treat, the team at Mackintosh Martin Gardening would love to help bring your vision to life.
