A fresh start: Your January garden checklist

New year, fresh green thumbs! January is here, bringing a fresh start not only to our lives but to our gardens as well.

After the holiday rush, our gardens could use a little extra love to bounce back from neglect, especially during the warm weather—and what better way to kick off the new year than by rolling up your sleeves and putting those green thumbs to work.

Here’s how to spruce up your garden space this month:

Keeping your plants cool and hydrated

The South African summer is in full swing, and the heat is no joke. Mulching is the go-to trick to help your plants stay hydrated. A 5–10 cm layer of mulch (think dried leaves, straw, or bark) locks in moisture and keeps the soil cool. I’ve found it cuts watering in half!

When it comes to watering, it’s best to check the soil with your finger before pulling out the hose. If it feels dry up to about 5 cm, it’s time to water—preferably early morning or late afternoon to avoid evaporation.

While you’re at it, keep ponds and birdbaths topped up. A little splash of water can attract all sorts of delightful visitors to your garden.

Sowing and planting for the months ahead

January is a great time to sow flower seeds like sweet Williams, verbenas, and delphiniums. It’s also great to refresh beds with vibrant summer bloomers like petunias, celosias, and impatiens. If you’re a fan of wildlife, consider planting common rush near water features—it’s a magnet for birds and other creatures.

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For a touch of drama, experiment with cupheas in sunny spots. Their uniform growth makes them perfect for borders, and they’re surprisingly easy to care for.

Feeding and nurturing

Feeding time isn’t just for the kitchen! If you’ve got fruit trees like mangoes and lemons, a slow-release fertiliser is necessary for steady growth. For indoor plants and seedlings, a water-soluble mix every two weeks works wonders. If you have azaleas or camellias, they’ll thank you for regular deep watering and a dose of acidic fertiliser to help them set buds.

If your garden’s looking crowded, January is the perfect time to divide plants like arum lilies and bearded irises. I love replanting them in fresh spots—it’s like giving your garden a mini makeover! For vygies and other easy-to-propagate plants, take cuttings and root them in damp river sand. By winter, they’ll be strong enough to thrive.

Pruning

This is the month to tidy up. Cut back leggy petunias to encourage new blooms, nip the tips of chrysanthemums, and keep hedges and topiaries in check. For roses, trim dead blooms and thin out dense bushes to allow air and sunlight to reach the center. It’s a bit of work, but trust me, it’s worth it when those lush, healthy blooms return.

Lawns

Lawns can suffer in the summer heat, feeding with an organic fertiliser can do the trick and water deeply but less often. If you notice brown patches, it could be lawn caterpillars—an organic insecticide should help to get rid of them.

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Stay ahead of pests

Pests seem to love January just as much as we do, but a little vigilance goes a long way. Keep plants healthy with proper watering and fertilising, and use organic sprays for infestations of whiteflies, aphids, or caterpillars.

Oh, and don’t forget to rinse out bromeliads to prevent mosquito larvae from setting up camp.

ALSO SEE: Evergreen shrubs: Keep your garden vibrant year-round