The days may be cold, but there are still plenty of worthwhile jobs to do in the garden now to set things up for spring, says our regular gardening contributor Dennis Meredith.
Although its January, and the days and nights can be very cold there are still plenty of worthwhile jobs you can be getting on with in the garden.
If you have roses now is the time to give them a winter wash. This can be done using Jeyes Fluid and helps prevent diseases that roses commonly suffer from later in the year.
Dilute 100ml of Jeyes Fluid with 5 litres of water and spray all over the roses and around the soil.
This will help control blackspot and other problems before growth starts again in spring.
January is also a good time to give your gardening tools a thorough clean.
Jeyes Fluid can be used to clean tool handles and blades, and you should also check that any secateurs are sharp and in good working order, ready for pruning your roses. I’ll explain the best way to prune roses next month.
Make sure any fallen leaves or weeds are cleared from borders, as these can harbour pests and disease if left in place.
If you planted daffodil bulbs in the autumn, you may already see shoots starting to appear, which is always a welcome sign that spring isn’t too far away.
It’s also a good time to think ahead by purchasing a compost bin and starting to make your own compost. This can be ready to use on borders and beds in the spring to improve soil quality.
Finally, tidy up sheds and check over garden equipment, and book your lawn mower in for a service before the rush of spring arrives. All the work you do now will make a big difference and help your garden look its best when spring finally comes.