In the garden: Jobs to get out of the way this January 

As we wander out into the garden in the first days of 2026, things are quiet; there is no growth to speak of yet, lots of life under the soil but nothing appearing above ground as the frost is keeping things at bay.

That is how it should be at this time of year, a time for rest and rejuvenation.

The temptation is to do a lot of clearing and tidying right now - desist. Leave sleeping dogs lie and wait until the time is there to wake up plants.

There are a few jobs that can be done now at the start of the year, but anything soil-related is best left until the spring so that cover remains to insulate, and provide habitat and nourishment for soil inhabitants.

Gardening is cyclical in nature and each year there are certain jobs that we do at certain times, these are some that I like to get underway in January.

Pruning apple and pear trees is a good job to get underway early in the year, particularly if there is an orchard or many trees involved.

Before getting started with the secateurs, loppers and handsaw, ensure that they are all in good order. Secateurs and loppers can be sharpened and oiled and the handsaw needs to have a good edge which may entail changing the blade.

Having tools in good condition is going to make the job so much enjoyable and it will be completed in half the time. It is not a job that many relish, but it is an important one all the same and one that can be done when the weather is not great for outside work.

Take a step back from the tree to be pruned and it can be beneficial to take a photo (it’s always great to have a before-and-after photo for satisfaction purposes too).

The shape of the tree can sometimes be better observed from a photo. With an apple tree we are looking for five or six main branches which are best kept at a feasible height for picking apples later in the year, and also to make winter pruning an easier job.

The three Ds are our first priority to start with, dead, diseased and damaged branches need to be removed. These will harbour disease and provide potential entry points for disease to enter the plant’s system.

The dead branches will be obvious, the most common disease of apple trees in Ireland is canker and these can be cut out, taking a branch back to the nearest junction.

Do ensure that your tools are disinfected using an alcohol or other suitable spray when dealing with fungal infections, as if not the tools can spread the disease.

Once these have been identified and removed, then the job of reducing the last year’s top growth can begin in earnest, with upright growth reduced to two buds to encourage the formation of fruiting spurs.

The prunings, which can range in length from about a metre to a few centimetres, can be added to a dead hedge if one exists to reinforce and create habitat and a food source for insects, mammals, bacteria and fungi. They can also be dried and used for kindling.

Removing problematic perennial weeds when the weather allows is always a great pursuit that will be appreciated once growth begins in springtime.

It does depend upon the ground not being frozen or waterlogged, so the window for this kind of work can be a short one early in the year.

Sorting through the seed box, then consulting seed catalogues to order what is needed for 2026, is another job you can do now.

This is a great January job, and one that can be done from the comfort of the armchair next to the fire.

Lots of seeds catalogues are online now but it is often possible to order paper copies which will be posted out to you. Peruse them to discover new varieties to try, and best of all, see recommendations from gardening enthusiasts encountered throughout the year.

Now is also a good time to prune branches of trees that may be getting too big, and raising the crowns of some trees to allow for easier access in some parts of the garden.

When the leaves are stripped from the trees, it is easier to see their shape and branching habit.

The trees are dormant and it is a good time to remove any excessive growth, suckering from the base, or awkward growth that may be impeding access.

Plant any bulbs purchased with enthusiasm that were forgotten over the festive season, it is not too late and they will still flower, but maybe a little later.

Check the firmness before planting and discard any soft bulbs as they may spread disease.

Plant of the Week

January is a lean month in the garden, yet there are always signs of hope that spring is just around the corner.

Always at this time of the year, Daphnes bring so much scent, colour, and hope to the garden, and they are a great shrub to plant in a pot near the front door so that the intoxicating smell can be encountered as frequently as possible.

New cultivars appear for sale every year and it is hard to beat Dahpne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postil’ for scent, habit, and a slightly suckering growing nature, which means that new plants are available for propagation each year.