Michael Griffiths has provided a list of January gardening jobs (stock image) (Image: Getty)
With a new month upon us and indeed a new year, a expert has provided a list of jobs you should get cracking with right away.
Michael Griffitths, who regaulrly shares his horticultural wisdom on , is back with another video explaining a series of tasks to carry out throughout January. “If you want an incredible display from your wisteria this spring you want to give it a winter prune now,” he began in a video.
As for grapes, they should also be pruned this month before the sap starts to rise, boosting your chances of getting a “good crop” later in 2025. “You can winter wash fruit trees to help control pests and diseases,” Michael advises in his next point. However, he warns doing so could also remove “overwintering beneficial wildlife”.
He continues: “It’s now time to plant bare-root roses, shrubs, hedging, fruit trees and other bushes as long as the ground isn’t frozen.” For winter pruning, meanwhile, now is the time to act when it comes to deciduous ornamental trees, shrubs and fruit trees.
The expert also recommends keeping your bird feeders and bird baths topped us as the weather gets cold – but be sure to keep an eye out for water freezing in the latter.
Hailing Michael’s advice, one of his 255,000 followers responded: “As a gardener myself of 15 years, your videos are so helpful and remind me to do stuff in my clients’ gardens. Thanks for your videos!”
“I’m confused about pruning my wisteria, it’s like two-years old and nowhere near as big as I need it to be. Do I need to prune it?” asked another. She received the advice: “Yes, twice a year, it helps to stop it going to gangly. There are guides if you look online as to how and when.”
Whilst a third user added: “Was going to prune plum and pear trees (new home so not done before) but ready not to do it yet.” Another garden-savvy person explained in response: “Plum tree would be best to do in the summer when in leaf, unlike an apple tree that you would prune at this time of year.”
Don’t miss…
Michael also has advice when it comes to disposing of your real Christmas tree. “Starting with the boughs of the tree, cut them off and you can lay them in your containers and garden beds for frost protection,” he suggests. “Or if you want a thicker ground cover you can put them through a shredder to get some free wood mulch.”
He also recommends digging a hole in the garden and placing the stump of your Christmas tree in it. “Now you have a perfect trellis for climbing plants in the spring,” he enthuses. “This will be ideal for sweet peas.”