CATEGORIES
Looking after winter lawns
Keep things ticking over until spring arrives
Winter scent
Planting for winter scent will draw you back out into the garden, even on frosty mornings, says Camilla Phelps, as she looks at the best plants for winter fragrance
Growing Hippeastrum (Amaryllis)
Steve and Val Bradley explain how to get the best out of these gorgeous houseplants
Sow soon for success
You can start sowing seeds now in a propagator or on a warm windowsill – and the sooner, the better, says Bob
Focus on...Blackcurrants
Tangy fruits in abundance are within reach
Houseplant survival
Steve and Val Bradley explain the best techniques for looking after plants given as Christmas gifts
Gold, frankincense and myrrh
Oliver Dawson takes a close look at the witch hazel and its association with Epiphany, when the three Wise Men brought gifts to the infant Jesus
Get more from young trees
We planted them in nursery rows and if they weren’t sent out after a year or so, we would carefully dig them up for transplanting into a different part of the nursery.
Get the best gooseberries
Q I’ve been reading about the flavour of old-fashioned gooseberries and would like to plant some of the older cultivars. What is the best way to grow them, and how do I avoid mildew? Fiona Westfield, Grantham, Lincs.
An uncertain future
Horticultural clubs need to attract members, says Peter
Eco-friendly overhaul
There are lots of easy, enjoyable ways to be more eco-friendly in the garden in 2022. The result will be healthier plants and an abundance of wildlife
Are you doing your bit?
Val looks at ways we can reduce our carbon footprint
Learn and plan
How we respond to mistakes and take that knowledge forward can really benefit next year’s crops, says Bob
Grow more winter colour
Anne Swithinbank’s masterclass on: winter colour
Seeds you can sow now
Crops and flowers can be started this month
Temporary bare-root storage
What do you do if your bare-root plant arrives, but the weather stops you planting it? Steve and Val Bradley describe the options available to make sure your plants survive
Berried treasure
There’s a pecking order among birds for berries, says Val
Environmental truths
Sphagnum moss can be regenerated, says Peter
New Year resolutions
The key jobs that Ruth will try to keep on top of in 2022
The bark club
At this time of year, after the leaves have fallen, trees with textured bark come into their own. Camilla Phelps reveals some great examples that you can plant now
The right care for camellias
Camellias have many forms and need selective planting, but when you get it right the rewards are great, says Graham Rice. He explains how to care for this oriental beauty
Maximum veg whatever your space
Make 2022 your best veg-growing year ever with Huw Richards’ action plan for big harvests year-round – whatever the size of your plot
Fresh from the plot
On Rekha’s allotment, it’s all about flavour as she shares expert advice for the tastiest harvests. This month she shows how to grow Savoy cabbage and enjoy it with a little spice
YOUR PRUNING MONTH
Frances Tophill shows you how to get overgrown shrubs back in shape over the winter
Potatoes five ways
We put spuds to the test by growing them using five different methods to reveal which is best for high yields and your growing space
Your wildlife month
January is a miserable month. The days are short, dark and often damp, and most wildlife is still hibernating. But there are glimpses of spring on the horizon. Birds are starting to pair up. Blue tits and great tits will be looking for nest sites – it will be a while before they start to breed but you may spot them prospecting nest boxes or even roosting in them. Natural sources of food are in their shortest supply, so keep bird feeders topped up, and consider leaving halved apples on the ground for blackbirds and thrushes. Leave the berries on ivy until the birds have eaten them – they contain more calories per gram than a bar of chocolate and can help birds get into shape for breeding in a few weeks.
10 steps to a greener garden
If you’re keen to grow greener, but not sure where to start, here are some simple suggestions. However big or small your garden, we have constructive actions you can take right now that don’t require dramatic changes or lots of extra effort. So just pick one or two from our list and give them a try. We’ll cover all of these topics in more detail in the coming months
Expert's choice - Snowdrops
There is a huge range to choose from, with varying sizes, markings and prices
A-Z of House Plants
Give a bright room a burst of colour with an exotic urn plant
Clippings Calls for Sustainable Gardening
Our roundup of the month’s latest gardening news and views