Kitchen Garden - January

Complete winter digging of new plots and empty beds when weather permits. Don’t go on the ground if it is very wet or frozen. If you haven’t been able to start digging and the weather is awful try to cover the soil with a mulch of homemade garden compost or New Horizon Organic Garden Compost. This will stop the soil becoming too compacted and will also boost the level of worms and microbes.
Consider making a raised bed for growing vegetables. The bed should measure a maximum of 4 foot by 4 foot so that it can be reached from all sides.
Seed potatoes can be chitted (started into growth) at the end of the month. This will allow you to harvest them earlier. Stand the potatoes in egg trays with the most buds uppermost and put them in a cool, light frost-free place such as a spare room or unheated porch.

Plant new fruit trees, bushes and canes as soon as possible following our Planting Guide.
Prune trained apple and pear trees such as cordons and espaliers by cutting back last year’s shoots to about 5cm. Larger trees should have old and unproductive shoots trimmed. Mulch around the trees.
Prune established blackcurrant bushes by cutting about one-third of older stems to the ground. Mulch with J Arthur Bower’s Blended Farm Manure but do not heap it up over the stems.
Prune grape vines if you haven’t already done so. This is your last chance because after this month the sap will start to rise and pruning will damage the plants.
Force rhubarb for tender pink shoots in spring. Clear away all the old leaves from the ground. As soon as you see new growth appearing cover the plant with an old dustbin or large pot. You can also buy specially made terracotta forcing pots with a lid.