Early Season Peas
January: Fruit & Vegetable Gardening Tasks (UK)
January is a quieter month in the garden, but it’s one of the most important for preparation, structure, and forward planning. With the ground often cold and wet, this is the perfect time to focus on fruit trees, soil health, greenhouse jobs, and planning for the season ahead.
A great resource at this time of year is the GardenAdvice Grow Your Own Fruit & Veg Calendar, which helps you work out what to grow, when to sow, and how to plan your year month by month. It’s especially useful in January when decisions made now shape the rest of the growing season:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/blog/grow-your-own-fruit-veg/
Fruit Garden Jobs in January
Winter wash fruit trees
January is an ideal month to apply a winter wash to apples, pears, plums, cherries, peaches and nectarines. Winter wash helps control overwintering pests such as aphids, mites and scale insects before they become a problem in spring. Apply on a dry, frost-free day, thoroughly coating the trunk and branches.
If you’re expanding or improving your fruit garden, you may find this useful:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/blog/grow-some-fruit-in-your-garden-this-year/
Plant bare-root fruit trees and bushes
Bare-root fruit trees and bushes can still be planted while the soil is workable. January planting suits apples, pears, plums, cherries, currants (red, white and black) and gooseberries.
Firm the soil well around the roots, stake trees where necessary, and mulch after planting (keeping mulch away from direct contact with the trunk). For broader fruit-growing guidance, see the Fruit Garden section:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/gardening-how-to/fruit-garden/
Plant cane fruit
Raspberries, blackberries, loganberries and tayberries all benefit from planting in winter. After planting raspberries, cut canes back to around 25cm to encourage strong new growth. Install wires or supports at planting time to avoid disturbing roots later.
More advice on soft fruit can be found here:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/gardening-how-to/fruit-garden/
Pruning fruit trees and bushes
January is suitable for pruning established apple and pear trees, as well as currants and gooseberries. Avoid pruning stone fruit such as plums and cherries unless branches are damaged or diseased.
For general fruit care and planning inspiration, this guide is helpful:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/blog/grow-some-fruit-in-your-garden-this-year/
General fruit care
Check stakes and ties after winter winds, protect young trees from rabbits and deer, and clear away fallen fruit and leaves to reduce disease carry-over. For seasonal growing guidance across fruit and vegetables, see:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/blog/grow-your-own-fruit-veg/
Vegetable Garden Jobs in January
Soil preparation
If conditions allow, dig over empty beds and incorporate well-rotted manure or garden compost. Avoid working soil when it is frozen or waterlogged. Cover prepared beds with fleece, cloches or black plastic to help warm the soil for early sowings.
General vegetable growing advice is available here:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/gardening-how-to/grow-your-own/
Early sowing (under cover only)
Sowing outdoors is limited in January, but under cover you can start early crops in a heated greenhouse, propagator or sunny windowsill. Suitable crops include early broad beans, lettuce, spinach, spring onions, onions from seed and early leeks.
Greenhouse-specific winter advice can be found here:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/gardening-how-to/greenhouse-gardens/
Planting vegetables
Plant shallots and garlic if not already done, and plant Jerusalem artichokes where soil conditions permit. Further planting guidance is available in the Grow Your Own section:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/gardening-how-to/grow-your-own/
Protected crops and harvesting
Check overwintering brassicas for pests and disease. Harvest leeks, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and kale as required, protecting crops with fleece during hard frosts.
Greenhouse & Polytunnel Tasks
Clean greenhouse glass to maximise winter light levels, check heaters and insulation, and ventilate on mild days to prevent mould and fungal problems.
If you’re making the most of your growing space, these guides may help:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/greenhouses-for-growing-in-garden/
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/newsandarticles/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-greenhouse/
January is also the time to start chitting early potatoes, placing first early varieties in a cool, light, frost-free position.
Planning & Maintenance
Use quieter winter days to order seeds and plants early, clean and sharpen tools, and check stored crops such as potatoes, onions and squash, removing any that show signs of rot.
For broader inspiration and planning help, see:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/blog/grow-your-own-with-gardenadvice/
Crop rotation and planting plans are best tackled now, and this seasonal calendar can help guide decisions:
👉 https://gardenadvice.co.uk/blog/grow-your-own-fruit-veg/
Key January Gardening Tips
- Avoid working soil when wet or frozen
- Focus on soil health, structure and pest prevention
- Keep early sowings small and manageable
- Use January for planning rather than rushing
A calm, steady approach now sets the foundation for a productive growing season ahead.
