January; Tackling the waste, the waist and the wasteland.

You are staring at the garden from the kitchen. In front of you is a dull, disheveled array of leafless trees, messy shrubs and piles of unswept leaves. Beside you are the Christmas left-overs; a brandy-laced pudding, mince pies, chocolates from the office and an array of different creams and sauces.

Let me help you. There is a way to access your higher self here. You can move onto the path of righteousness; her name is purity and she can be attained by one of the following methods;

a) A bonfire
b) Stocking up your fire place
c) A trip to the tip

At the time of year when daylight hours are few and the blood-sugar levels are all over the place there is something primordial about using the wrapping paper to start a fire and watching it grow as you incinerate the leaves, branches, Christmas letters and useless present packaging. Yes - it is better to re-cycle or compost them - but fires ain't half fun.

It's also very useful.

Piles of leaves collect mould and trees and standard fruit trees should be pruned now. ( The term "standard" is a horticultural term meaning a single-stemmed tree or shrub without branches for approx the first 2m of height).

The reason these are best pruned now is that they are dormant. With fruit trees you are aiming to ensure good air circulation, an open habit to allow light in and space for growth by removing crossed branches. A rule of thumb here is to create five main branches.

This is also the time to move any trees or shrubs - for the very same reason. You can get away with some chopping of roots to free them from the soil but be careful. These are the arteries which take up food and water from the soil. To increase your chances of success you need to reduce the top growth of branches in proportion to the amount of roots cut or damaged. The roots will therefore have less top-growth to sustain and will be less stressed in the growing season.

If you can then keep as much soil as possible around the roots. Put a sheet or a sack under the plant after you have dug around the roots. Pull this tight before you lift it and support the base when moving. Easier said than done but a quick look at a U-tube video will help.


In summary;

• January is the best month for pruning fruit trees
• Plant deciduous hedges now. Hornbeam, Beech, Blackthorn and Hawthorn.
• "Native" hedge mixes that one typically sees around farmland and in the countryside are best planted now too. They often come as "whips" ( spindly 45cms one or two year old plants).
• Unlike most of us, the pigeons are starving at this time of year so protect your winter greens
• Keep an eye on the temperature and be prepared to cover any vulnerable-looking trees and shrubs with a fleece or extra compost for herbaceous plants
• Avoid the temptation to run all over a lawn in the frost as it damages the grass
• If you need some winter cheer for the coming winters then consider planting for colour and winter scent. Viburnum fragrans, most Cornus ( Dogwoods ), Chimanthus praecox (Witchazel), Lonicera fragrans and Sarcoccocca will all give you something.
• For a spring lift plant spring-flowering heathers - Ericas. They will also bring the bees.

And once you have done all the above the mince pies will probably have all been eaten anyway. Those are the ones you said to yourself that you weren't going to have anyway.

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