With snow lying deeply and icicles hanging from many roofs it is strange to be thinking of 2017.

January Tasks for Fruit and Vegetables

• Check stored apples and vegetable clamps.
• Chit early potatoes, for planting in April, by placing in trays rose end up towards the light.
• Several vegetables can be cropped when the ground is unfrozen including, Leeks, Sprouts, Parsnips, Winter Cabbage, Turnips, Salsify and Sprouting Broccoli.
• If those vegetables appeal to you buy some seed now for spring planting.
• Sow  Leeks and Chervil in the greenhouse.
• Start winter digging. Tidy up under fruit trees and remove mummified fruit.
• Plant new fruit bushes and cane fruit.
• Prune apples and pears and fertilize with a high potash feed or wood ash.

Other Tasks for January around the Garden

• • Keep permanently planted containers in groups in a sheltered spot.
  • Privet and Hawthorne hedges can be hard pruned in mild weather to reduce height or width.
  • Clean greenhouse and summerhouse glass to let in more light.
  • Avoid over-watering houseplants and do not leave behind curtains to get frosted.
  • Spread well rotted horse manure or compost.(not on houseplants!)
  • Sow alpines and other seeds that need exposure to frost.