{"id":1010,"date":"2026-01-27T18:02:31","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T17:02:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/?p=1010"},"modified":"2026-01-30T14:37:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T13:37:19","slug":"alis-garden-january-action-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/alis-garden-january-action-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Ali&#8217;s Garden \u2013 January Action Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"867\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali3-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali3-rotated.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali3-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali3-520x694.jpg 520w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali3-320x427.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"867\" data-id=\"1012\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali1-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali1-rotated.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali1-520x694.jpg 520w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali1-320x427.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"867\" data-id=\"1013\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali2-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali2-rotated.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali2-520x694.jpg 520w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali2-320x427.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"867\" data-id=\"1014\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali4-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali4-rotated.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali4-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali4-520x694.jpg 520w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/164\/2026\/01\/ali4-320x427.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This month marks an exciting shift in Ali&#8217;s garden strategy, with a stronger focus on early-season preparation, soil health, and sustainable growing practices. Here&#8217;s what we&#8217;re working on together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview: What&#8217;s Changing This Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>No runner beans<\/strong> will be grown this season \u2013 we&#8217;re making space for other crops and rethinking the layout. Instead, the focus is on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Early-season crops<\/strong> such as salad and potoatoes etc but also chillies, leeks, asparagus, peppers, and broccoli<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sourcing young plants<\/strong> from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gardeners-kitchen.co.uk\/\">Gardener&#8217;s Kitchen<\/a> where it makes sense<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Growing most crops from seed<\/strong> \u2013 a cost-effective and rewarding approach<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soil health improvements<\/strong> including composting, mulching, and strategic feeding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What The GardenAdvice Team Doing This Month<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ll be handling the essential winter maintenance tasks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Finishing all pruning work<\/strong> across the garden<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Supplying and applying grease bands<\/strong> to protect fruit trees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Applying winter wash<\/strong> to tackle overwintering pests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chipping accumulated branches<\/strong> and prunings with my chipper<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Installing pheromone traps<\/strong> for pest monitoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Setting up a glasshouse smoker<\/strong> to control greenhouse pests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delivering spent mushroom compost<\/strong> (timing to be confirmed with Ali)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ali&#8217;s Focus: Greenhouse &amp; Growing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ali is getting the greenhouse ready for the season ahead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Finishing the greenhouse clean<\/strong> \u2013 essential for disease prevention<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Installing temporary wires<\/strong> for training a new grapevine (more on that below)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Seed sowing<\/strong> using peat pots, seed trays, and seed beds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re sourcing some crops as young plants from Gardener&#8217;s Kitchen \u2013 including <strong>chillies, leeks, asparagus, peppers, and broccoli<\/strong> \u2013 while everything else will be grown from seed, plus extras such as young celery plants later in the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Big Decision: Composting Area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re planning to <strong>build a proper compost heap<\/strong> or create a simple composting area in the shed zone but this depends on the summer  house\/office developement. This will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Support <strong>pumpkin growing<\/strong> (if we proceed with pumpkins this year)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase overall compost output for better soil health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be lined with wire mesh at the base as a precaution against rodents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The compost will be fed with <strong>spent mushroom compost<\/strong> and green garden waste. More details on composting methods can be found in our <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/composting\/\">composting guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Crops &amp; Planting Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Decisions:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pumpkins<\/strong>: Only if the compost heap goes ahead<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tomatoes<\/strong>: We&#8217;re using disease-resistant varieties this year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Potatoes<\/strong>: Will be chitted before planting, grown through cardboard mulch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Snowdrops<\/strong>: Sorting and replanting &#8220;in the green&#8221; for best results<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Raspberries &amp; blackcurrants<\/strong>: Considering reintroducing them where the runner beans grew last year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grapevine Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re buying a <strong>grapevine in a large container<\/strong>, training it on removable wires in the greenhouse. This gives flexibility to relocate it later if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pest Management &amp; Biodiversity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re taking a balanced approach to pests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Creating Toad habitats<\/strong> within crops <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Developing a snail action plan<\/strong> (ongoing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Encouraging frogs<\/strong> as natural pest control \u2013 learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/wildlife-gardening\/\">wildlife-friendly gardening<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Monitoring rodents<\/strong> incidentally rather than actively managing (currently low concern)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soil Health &amp; Disease Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every bed will be fed with <strong>Growmore fertiliser<\/strong> at a rate of <strong>1 handful per square metre<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re also using <strong>cardboard mulch<\/strong> over raised beds \u2013 a fantastic technique to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Suppress weeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retain moisture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce mildew (which was linked to last year&#8217;s compost)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allow planting or sowing straight through the cardboard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is especially important for <strong>potatoes<\/strong>. More on <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/mulching\/\">cardboard mulching here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ornamental Care: Shrubs &amp; Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Early-season work (&#8220;first light&#8221;) will focus on borders, shrubberies, and overall garden structure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hydrangea (front)<\/strong>: Check and prune if needed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lavender<\/strong>: Light pruning \u2013 never cut into dark, dead wood<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weigela<\/strong>: Prune back as required<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Yucca<\/strong>: Check for green, active growth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Euonymus<\/strong>: General condition check<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re also reviewing <strong>crop rotation<\/strong> across the beds to maintain soil health and reduce disease pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lawn Care: Clover Overseeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ali&#8217;s lawn will be <strong>overseeded with clover<\/strong> this year. This simple change:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Improves soil health through nitrogen fixation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduces the need for feeding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increases resilience and supports biodiversity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>More on <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/lawn-care\/\">lawn care and clover lawns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Special Project: Tree Growing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ali is involved in our <strong>Young Gardeners Tree Project<\/strong>, where young people grow trees from seed. It&#8217;s a brilliant long-term investment in the environment and a rewarding educational activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/young-gardeners\/gardenadvice-young-gardeners-tree-project\/\">Learn more about the Young Gardeners Tree Project<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>January is all about <strong>preparation, structure, and soil health<\/strong>. From greenhouse readiness to composting plans, pest balance to early pruning, Ali&#8217;s garden is being set up for a productive and sustainable growing year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;d like personalized advice for your own garden, or help planning your growing season, <a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/contact\/\">get in touch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/composting\/\">Composting Guide<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/wildlife-gardening\/\">Wildlife-Friendly Gardening<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/mulching\/\">Mulching Techniques<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/lawn-care\/\">Lawn Care<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/young-gardeners\/gardenadvice-young-gardeners-tree-project\/\">Young Gardeners Tree Project<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This month marks an exciting shift in Ali&#8217;s garden strategy, with a stronger focus on early-season preparation, soil health, and sustainable growing practices. Here&#8217;s what we&#8217;re working on together. Overview: What&#8217;s Changing This Year&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-gardening-tasks"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1010"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1010\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/ali\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}